By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Team: Purdy Lady Eagles
Coach: Lori Videmschek
2019 Results: 24-6 (Lost 2-0 to Mt. Vernon in Class 1 quarterfinals)
Opening Day 2021: March 19 at Pleasant Hope
If you take the time to speak with Purdy Lady Eagles head coach Lori Videmschek, not even a cancelled season from a once-in-a-century pandemic was allowed to slow the momentum her program has built over the past five (non-cancelled) seasons.
“Cancelling our spring season last year was very tough,” Videmschek said. “When we were able to play again, in June and July, I was able to schedule 22 games for our varsity kids to play. I felt that we needed to play so that we didn’t lose a year of competing and playing softball. Then when we were off, my kids did a lot on their own to keep themselves ready to play.”
Heading into 2021, the Lady Eagles have won 20 or more games in each of their last five active seasons (2015-19)—winning district titles each time.
Videmschek’s team could be primed to continue that district title run this season, and has its eyes on even more. Purdy’s last state title game appearance came in 2017—a 3-0 loss to Strafford. This year’s group has done all they can to be prepared for a return to that game.
“With bringing almost everyone back from last year, expectations are very high,” Videmschek said. “I have a senior-loaded group that are hungry and ready to compete and hopefully we can get a chance to make it to the state tournament.”
The Lady Eagles 2021 roster is nearly identical to their 2019 roster—a rare advantage that they’ll have over rival programs with the missing year. Purdy will be led by six seniors this season, all of whom haven’t seen a varsity softball game since they were sophomores.
“These seniors have been a very important part of our program,” Videmschek said. “I hope they have success and can get a chance to win a state championship.”
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2021 Roster Outlook
Videmschek provided commentary on each member of Purdy’s 2019 roster, starting with her six seniors:
Lauren Schallert (Senior, pitcher, 2019 All-State 2nd Team, 2019 stats: 24-5, 3.36 ERA, 219 K, 169.0 IP): “I’m excited to see what she is going to do this year. I believe she is one of the top pitchers in the state. She brings such a variety of pitches and is a tremendous threat at the plate. Lauren is our leader on the field and very humble and makes everyone around her even better. We feed off her and I know she will take the team on her back.”
– Schallert has signed to continue her softball career at Cameron University (Lawton, Okla.).
Bayleigh Robbins (Senior, SS, 2019 All-District 1st Team, 2019 stats: .449 AVG., 20 XBH, 33 R, 35 RBI, 22 SB): “I believe she is one of the top shortstop in the state. Bayleigh has power at the plate and led our team in home runs in 2019. I look for Bayleigh to have a special season and I believe she can also play at the next level next year. I’m expecting big things from her.”
Kinsley Mattingly (Senior, UTIL, 2019 All-District/All-Region, 2019 stats: .333 AVG., 30 R, 27 SB): “She is our leadoff hitter and will play many positions during the year. I expect her to get us started offensively and be a leader for us too. Stepping up her level of play this year will be big for us.”
Annabelle Bowman (Senior, 2B, 2019 stats: .200 AVG., 16 SB): “AB has improved everyday she steps on the field. Her leadership will help the younger kids tremendously. Mentally she is one of the toughest competitors that I have ever coached. She keeps working hard and I’m excited to see what she can do this season.”
McKenna Orwig (Senior, RF): “McKenna continues to get better each year. She does her job no matter what the situation is. I’m expecting her to step up and have a great year for us.”
Jaclin Fenski (Senior): “Jaclin is a transfer from Pierce City and…I look for her to step up and perform in any role that I put her in. She has speed and pop in her bat and can play both infield and outfield. I expect her to come in and play well with our kids.”
The Lady Eagles return two juniors:
Dally Craig (Junior, C, 2019 stats: .393 AVG.): “She does a great job handling our pitching staff. She got hurt her freshmen season and hopefully she can stay healthy for this season. I am expecting big things from her.”
Robyn Schad (Junior, 1B/P, 2019 stats: .367 AVG.): “When Robyn is not at first she is pitching. She brings so much power at the plate. I am expecting her to have a breakout season. She was exciting to watch this summer.”
Videmschek expressed excitement about four freshmen stepping up to varsity as well:
Jessi Hoppes (Freshman, CF): “Jessi will be our centerfielder and brings speed and the ability to track the ball in the outfield. She works hard and loves the game of softball. She does a great job at the plate. I look for her to mature and improve during the season and I expect her to step in and make us a better team.”
Hadley Hughes (Freshman, P/INF): “Hadley had a great summer for us and I am excited to see how she handles herself in the circle. She will be pitching varsity, and how she responds to the challenge is on her. I expect her to step up and make our pitching staff even better.”
Rylee Stanford (Freshman, INF): “Rylee is quick, quick, quick. This kid continued to impress me this summer, and I put her in some tough situations. I am excited to see how she does this season.”
Raeley Henderson (Freshman, UTIL): “Raeley is another freshman who stepped up this summer and did some things well. She was put in a lot of different positions and did a great job. I expect her to keep getting better each day at practice.”
2021 Season Outlook
Purdy is set to jamboree at home this year on March 15 with games beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Lady Eagles will host Clever, Pierce City and Exeter.
The Lady Eagles officially open the 2021 campaign on March 19 at Pleasant Hope.
“Overall, I’m super excited and ready to get season started and so are the kids,” Videmschek said. “This could be a very special team and year. Hopefully we can stay focused and humble and be ready for a great season.”
As usual, Purdy faces a challenging regular season with games scheduled against fellow spring softball powers Strafford, Lincoln and Mt. Vernon in addition to other big names like Southwest (Washburn), Sarcoxie and Crane.
The Lady Eagles are scheduled to compete in three tournaments: Mt. Vernon Tournament, SWCL Tournament, Ash Grove Tournament.
“Our schedule is always tough, but that only makes us better,” Videmschek said. “Having a tough schedule only gets us ready for districts and a playoff run. You need to be playing your best and I feel with our schedule it gives us a chance.”
Like all programs in all sports throughout the country, Purdy will do its best to avoid any issues with the ongoing pandemic.
“COVID-19 is going to be a challenge for all the teams this year,” Videmschek said. “We just need to be careful in what we are doing outside of softball and taking care of ourselves. We’ll practice social distancing when we can and make sure we do what we need to do to have a season.”
