By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Team: Clever Blue Jays
Coach: Cheryl Grant
2019 Results: 12-13 (Lost 7-1 to Purdy in Class 1 District 10 semifinals)
Opening Day 2020: March 21 in the MLC Tournament
Clever said goodbye to some big names in last year’s graduating class, but all eyes in this program are looking forward as 2020 nears.
The Blue Jays won back-to-back district titles in 2015 and 2016 before falling short in 2017 and failing to reach the .500 mark the last two seasons. But success like this program had from 2014 through 2017 (61-26) does a lot for a program’s future.
And the future might be now.
The Blue Jays welcome back a roster that includes a pair of impressive sophomores that were Second Team All-District in 2019 in OF Kenna Wise and P Kylie Wenger.
Wise, who will be moving to infield this season, batted an incredible .589 as a freshman with a .659 on-base percentage and an .808 slugging percentage (1.467 OPS). That powerful slash line was met with blistering speed as Wise swiped 47 bases in her first varsity season.
In the circle, Wenger finished her freshman season with a 0.93 ERA and 133 strikeouts.
Add three years of that middle-to-top of the lineup threat at the plate with three years of that potential on the mound, and Clever softball is well positioned to get back to threatening to for district titles and beyond both this season and in future ones.
“As the season progresses I would look to Wise and Wenger as players to watch,” Blue Jays head coach Cheryl Grant said. “I feel both of these young ladies will be in the elite group of Southwest Missouri softball players.”
Returning with Wise and Wenger is a notable list of experience and depth that is as important to this program’s potential return to a district championship contender as anything else.
Clever returns key members of 2019’s roster in 3B G’Anna Revis (.288 AVG, .319 OBP), 2B Abby Whiteman (.304 OBP), P/INF Sierra Adkins (.250 AVG) and OF Grace Gundlefinger (.216 OBP).
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“The team will count on Whiteman’s leadership and positive attitude throughout the season,” Grant said. “Adkins is our No. 2 pitcher and has been working with a pitching coach in the offseason, and we expect great things from her.
“I also expect Grace and G’Anna to continue to improve and be key players this season.”
As usual, Clever will have no shortage of competition in the competitive Mid-Lakes Conference with games against spring powerhouses Strafford and Mt. Vernon on the schedule in addition to numerous challenging tournaments.
“Barring injuries, we should be competitive in the conference and strong going into the postseason,” Sanders said. “The Mid-Lakes will prepare us well for the postseason. I’m looking forward to a great season and strong showing in conference and postseason play.”
The Blue Jays welcome several new names to the varsity program in 2020 including Sydney Thrasher and Rylea King.
“Both of these young ladies are speedsters and will be a huge asset to the team,” Sanders said. “I feel there are several freshman that have the ability to play a large role this season.”
Thrasher is expected to be the team’s No. 3 pitcher, following Wenger and Adkins.
“We’re hoping to have a solid pitching rotation this season,” Sanders said. “Both Wenger and Adkins gained valuable experience last year and Wise is one of the best players I have seen in the field and at the plate.”
Clever is gaining a new coaching face as well in bench coach Angie Wise.
“We feel her coaching experience will add greatly to our existing staff,” Sanders said.
