MSHSAA announced on Monday, Mar. 16 that they would not be cancelling spring sports due to the Coronavirus. There will be delays to the start of the season and you can read the full MSHSAA release on spring sports by clicking here. Many area schools have called off classes and extracurricular activities through at least Apr. 3 and will reassess at that time. We will continue to post our spring previews. Please note that this preview was written before delays for the spring season were announced.
By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last year, they were young and had a new coach at the helm, but the Cabool Lady Bulldogs improved over their previous record with a 10-8 finish. They now return all but one starter and are ready to jump into competition with their skilled group.
Coach Scott Tooley is in his second year leading the Lady Bulldogs but has 22 years of coaching background.
“Experience and depth are our greatest strengths,” said Tooley.
Senior Katlynn Ellison will help showcase that depth and experience for the Lady Bulldogs. She was named to the all-conference and all-district first teams as an infielder and will return to the role. The previous year, she held postseason honors as a pitcher and will once again take the mound. She batted .600 with 24 RBIs and 20 scored runs last season, and her speed and athleticism should once again prove an asset for Cabool.
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Maggie Wells, senior, will be a versatile player for the Lady Bulldogs; she was named to the all-conference and all-district teams as catcher and batted .350 last year. Senior Adrian Fleetwood has a good glove and will once again use it at first base.
The three seniors will serve as team leaders.
Junior Gracie Campbell made the all-conference and all-district teams as a pitcher and will also play infield. Classmates Dalila Cannon and Vanessa Kentner also earned postseason awards in the outfield and each will return there.
Infielders Abigail Heuerman and Alexis Hurst (juniors) covered second and third base last season, respectively. Hailey Shannon, sophomore, will play catcher, infield, and outfield. Her versatility helped her to all-conference and all-district nods in utility.
Emily Goad, Abigail Chalfant, and Alyssa McIntosh round out the junior class and will contribute varsity innings. Sophomores Megan Gayer and Haylie Prifogle and freshmen Athena Waller and Maddie Gayer will also see varsity playing time.
Cabool lost in the semi-final round of their district tournament to the Plato Lady Eagles, the eventual Class 1, District 7 champions. The Lady Bulldogs plan to work their way deeper into the postseason, but will do so without left fielder Lyndsey Carr, their lone senior lost to graduation.
Coach Tooley said his team is in the weight room year-round to make themselves stronger and better athletes, and many of the players compete in other sports and thus stay conditioned.
“Expectations are high for the upcoming season,” said Coach Tooley. ”The team played well at times last year and they want to build off that. Our goal is to be in every game and to improve from last year. The girls are excited for the season and want to make a run in the district tournament.”
The Lady Bulldogs open their season in the Koshkonong Tournament on March 20.
