By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Expectations out of Sarcoxie are that sophomore Maci Garrison could provide the same kind of power for the Lady Bears that her older sister, Hailey, supplied or possibly even more.
“She has the potential to be better than her sister,” coach Dale Rice said.
Hailey hit .487 with 19 home runs as a freshman two years ago, but will not play this spring.
Rice is confident Maci will be an immediate-impact player, as well. She didn’t get to suit up as a freshman last year, with the spring sports season canceled due to COVID-19.
“She’s going to hit in the three-hole and has good pop in her bat and hits for average,” Rice said. “She runs well enough that I could put her in the outfield if I would ever need it. She’ll be a catcher and third baseman for us.”
Garrison will be surrounded in Sarcoxie’s lineup by proven hitters at the varsity level. Reese Clifton compiled a .514 batting mark two years ago, while Brooklyn Carr hit at a .417 clip, Jessica Hinkle batted .382 and Kyann Ogle hit .343.
The Lady Bears hope to complement Garrison’s power with speed at the top of their lineup.
“Ashley Calvin is a slapper with good wheels, Kyann does a great job hitting for average and runs well and Brooklyn can fly,” Rice said. “With those three, any of them could hit lead-off or the two-hole or anywhere in our lineup.”
Look for Sarcoxie to pressure opponents on the basepaths. Carr stole 28 bases two years ago.
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“I have more speed than I have ever had in my 16 years of coaching,” Rice said. “We’re going to take anything the other team gives us.”
Kaydence Flynn will be at first base. Katie Lopez could play anywhere from catcher to infielder to outfielder.
“She can go anywhere you need her,” Rice said.
Rice is confident Sarcoxie’s outfield defense led by freshmen Emma Parrigon and Andi Hirtz will be a strength.
“With some outfielders, when the ball is hit to them you hold you breath and hope they catch it,” Rice said. “With Andi and Emma, when the ball is hit to them, you’re saying, ‘Catch it and get in.’ That’s a good feeling.”
Rice values his depth and notes Sarcoxie’s starting lineup is far from being set.
“We’ll have a good lineup and it’s probably going to change until everybody knows what they’re doing and gets comfortable,” he said. “Of the 17 kids I have, 14-15 could start.”
Sarcoxie’s pitchers are Ogle, Clifton and Jessica Fieker. Ogle owned a 5-3 W-L record two years ago.
Rice wants Sarcoxie’s schedule to bring out the best in the Lady Bears.
“This is as hard a schedule as I’ve ever had, even when we were playing fall ball,” he said. “We play Mt. Vernon, Purdy, Diamond and Strafford. We don’t play any junk teams. It’s going to be an interesting year. There are a lot of good teams in the area. Hopefully, our schedule raises the girls’ level of play. I hope we play between .500-.750. I’d be tickled to death to play .750 ball.”
