By Chris Parker
Weaubleau softball came up one game short of the Class 1 final four last year, falling 7-1 to Stoutland in the state quarterfinals to finish 17-8 overall.
Three all-conference and all-district players in Makayla Hostettler, Kaylee Lower and Liz Stewart are gone from that team.
Senior pitcher Jenna Daggett will lead the way. She has been named all-district each of the past three seasons. Last year, Daggett threw 129 innings with 189 strikeouts and a 3.20 ERA. She might have been even better at the plate hitting .615 with 41 RBI and 40 runs scored.
“She’s a lefty with great command and throws several different pitches,” Weaubleau head coach Sue Ginnings said. “She leads us in every category, and has great knowledge of the game and is always working hard and encouraging her teammates.”
Daggett will throw to her younger sister Jaylee, who will take over at catcher as a freshman.
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Senior Addison Durnell is a two-time all-district selection at first base who hit .478 last year. Classmate Celena Lambeth caught last year and will move between second base and outfield.
A pair of freshmen in Sutton Mitchel (shortstop) and Taylor Ashlock (third base) will round out the infield.
“These two freshmen will be fun to watch this season, as they settle into their new roles because they are eager to learn and are fearless on the field,” Ginnings said.
Junior Katie Ginnings (center field) and senior Haleigh Dryer (right field) will be key players in the outfield.
Depth and leadership will be strengths for Weaubleau.
“We are deep having 18 girls that are all capable of playing at the varsity level,” Ginnings said. “Strong leadership with our upperclassmen and the athleticism of our younger group should make for a fun and exciting year.”
Weaubleau will host a jamboree with Clinton, Lebanon and Montrose on Aug. 25 before opening the regular season on Aug. 28-29 at the Morrisville Tournament.
“I feel like we should be able to pick up where we left off last year and be able to compete with most of the teams on our schedule,” Ginnings said.
