By Chris Parker
El Dorado Springs softball is making the switch from fall to spring this year, which means it has been 18 months since the Bulldogs last played a competitive softball game together.
“We are very excited for the 2021 season to start. As it’s been 18 months since we’ve played a competitive high school game as a program, I know myself and the coaching staff are very excited to see this group of athletes step back on the field together,” El Dorado Springs head coach Alyssa Sargent said.
The Lady Bulldogs finished 11-9 in the fall of 2019.
Juniors Keylie Steward and Kylie Hutsell along with sophomores Macie Mays and Wriley Taylor will be leaders for the team.
Steward will play in the outfield.
“Keylie Steward will also be a huge asset for us in the outfield. She has been the heart of our offensive production and we look to her to step up offensively and defensively to make a huge impact,” Sargent said.
Hutsell will be a utility player. She threw 101.2 innings in 2019.
“Kylie Hutsell will do a little bit of everything for us this season. She will get some time in the circle as well as hold down the corners. She will be a huge asset for us in the infield,” Sargent said.
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Mays returns to the softball diamond after playing volleyball as a freshman. She will be a key pitcher for the team.
“Macie Mays took her Freshman year off to play volleyball, but she will make an immediate impact to our success. Macie will also get some time in the circle as well as in the infield. She will be one of the key players for us this season. Macie understands the game better than most and has an excellent softball IQ,” Sargent said. “Macie is an all-around pitcher. She has speed, movement and control. She demands a lot from her team when she’s in the circle. Macie’s go to pitch is a rise ball.”
Taylor will play catcher. She caught all 21 games as a freshman while leading the team in multiple different offensive categories.
When Mays is pitching and Taylor is behind the plate, look for junior Abby Larson (first base), Hutsell (third base), junior Dani Ogle (second base) and freshman Tenlie Steward (shortstop) to round out the infield. Mays will move to shortstop when not pitching.
Steward will be in centerfield where she will be flanked by senior Haylee Smith in right field and sophomore Lexi Reasoner in left field.
Pitching and experience will be a strength for El Dorado Springs.
“We will have two experienced pitchers who are very well rounded in the circle. As a whole, we will be an older group who all have high competitive softball experience. This group of ladies get along very well which I think will play a part in our success this season,” Sargent said.
El Dorado Springs opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against Liberal.
“We have very high expectations for this season. We finished 12-9 in the 2020 fall season and expect to finish well above .500 this year,” Sargent said. “We return key players and add more key players that will contribute to our success for the 2021 spring season.”
