By Chris Parker
Fordland softball was looking to use the 2020 season as a key developmental year, but the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the season.
“Losing a season was devastating to the program, especially since we don’t play fall ball. We played summer ball at Mountain Grove, but summer ball is not the same. I really felt that my players were maturing and the bulk of the team was transitioning from sophomores to juniors. Those girls lost their junior year. That is experience that we won’t get back. It will be hard to overcome, but I have a great group of kids-they will play hard,” Fordland coach Joshua Smith said. “The girls and myself are excited to be back. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and my kids seem eager to get started. The schedule is very competitive for us. Spring softball is such a great experience in that winter is almost over, and we can go outside on those warm days. These kids need a change of pace and maybe this will give them some much needed normalcy.”
A group of five seniors will lead the Lady Eagles this year.
“I have five seniors who will lead the team this year and they have played every year with me,” Smith said. “Mahalia Burks (catcher), Gracie Trotter (shortstop) Autumn Barber (3rd base) Kaylee Bowmaker (2nd base) Cleo Hampton (outfield). Mahalia knows softball and really started to take control of the game this last summer during summer ball. Gracie Trotter is a role model for the team. She always has a great attitude. She steps up and helps out during practice. She plays very hard and never gives up. Autumn and Kaylee will provide solid defense on the infield. Cleo has hit very well during offseason. I look forward to seeing what they will do this spring.”
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Junior Tessa Feeback will be the starting pitcher for Fordland.
“Tessa has really started to come around with control and different pitches,” Smith said. “She has increased her speed, can hit her spots and I was really impressed with her during summer ball. I have two other freshman pitchers, Lexis Friesen and Riley Rippee. They will play pivotal roles in JV and varsity games.”
Sophomore Mikah Suter will join the seniors on the infield at first base. Sophomore Audrie Buckert and freshmen Riley Rippee and Leix Friesen will join Hampton in the outfield.
Experience and improving the offense will be key for Fordland this year.
“I have five seniors that will start. Even with missing their junior year, they have played plenty of ball. I expect them to show that experience,” Smith said. “Fundamentals can always be improved, but looking back at stats from two years ago, we struggled offensively. The bottom half of the lineup is going to have to get on base somehow. Everyone has to contribute. We also have to be able to finish and win games. We will compete, but we lack experience when it comes to finishing and winning games. This is a mental skill that we will need to improve on.”
Fordland opens the season Mar. 19-20 at the Summit Conference Tournament.
“I know coaches often look at each season with a ‘glass is half full’ mentality, but honestly we can compete with most or all of the teams we have scheduled,” Smith said. “We went 3-13 two years ago. Four of those losses were within three runs. I feel we could be over .500.”
