By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Bolivar softball captured its third-straight district title last season; however, the team fell short of its goals in a year full of challenges, according to head coach Brian Thompson.
The Lady Liberators finished with a 16-7 record, falling to Webb City in the Class 4 state quarterfinal round.
“The 2020 season didn’t end like we had hoped,” Thompson said. “We started off the season hot at 6-1, and then quarantines and injuries began to hit us. We would end up having to cancel 10 games due to team quarantine, and we finished the season with a record of 16-7.”
While Bolivar is set to once again reload its arsenal with a strong returning core, some key components will need to be replaced following graduation.
Katie Brooks, Emme Hall, Ashton Lynn and Karissa Rickman all move on from the program after earning all-district honors last season.
Brooks, an all-state selection in the circle, will continue her softball career at the University of Kansas this fall.
“We are definitely going to miss last season’s seniors,” Thompson said. “Those four young ladies provided us with some great bats and some excellent defense, not to mention one of the strongest arms in Southwest Mo. – if not the state – in the circle.”
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Despite the graduation losses, Bolivar still has plenty of firepower on its roster.
Six seniors return to lead the Lady Liberator lineup, including pitcher/outfielder Jadyn Hamilton (.377 BA, 15 RBI, 2-4, 15 K), outfielder Mollie Klasser (.189 BA), shortstop Avery McClure (.339 BA, 5 HR, 19 RBI), first baseman Paige Severns (.135 BA, 7 RBI), second baseman Shae Smith (.233 BA, 7 RBI), outfielder Kirsten Dickerson (.214 BA).
“We do have a strong senior class returning that will bring a lot of postseason experience and leadership to the program,” Thompson said. “Over the past three years these ladies have definitely learned how to compete and know exactly what it will take to win their fourth district title. There is no doubt in my mind that they are ready to take on the leadership role and make this team theirs.”
Junior Brookelyn Cline, junior Riley Ross, junior Lakyn Breesawitz and sophomore Percilla Gray also return for the Lady Liberators.
In addition to his strong core of returnees, Thompson has high expectations for Bolivar’s incoming freshman class.
“We have several freshmen coming in from last year’s middle school team,” Thompson said. “There are a few that we feel could see a great deal of time in the lineup almost immediately.”
Tessa Cline, KaCee Jenkins, Halily Hale and Harper Rowell will all compete for playing time this season.
While Thompson’s lineup may look a bit different with some new faces in new roles, the expectations remain the same.
“Our expectation, for this fall, is to come out and continue to do what we have been doing the past three years,” Thompson said. “I think this senior group is ready to hit the field together and try to win a fourth district title. I have high expectations for this group mainly because they know what it takes to get the job done, and I feel they will come out and compete to the best of their ability and leave it all on the field every game.”
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With a host of returning depth and talent, Thompson expects Bolivar to field a well-rounded lineup this fall.
“I really feel that we will be balanced in all aspects of the game,” Thompson said. “I believe we will continue to keep hitting the ball well, and I feel that our pitching will be just as solid as it has been in previous years. Defensively, I think we are going to be solid, as well; however, we do need to cut down the number of errors that we had last fall.”
In the circle, Thompson will rely on a committee approach, with Hamilton, Brookelyn Cline and Tessa Cline all likely to see time throughout the season.
“We have a senior, junior and freshman pitcher,” Thompson said. “We could see any one of them start and throw a complete game, or we could throw all three in every game. Who knows how that is going to go – we will take it day by day and see how it works out.”
Following an Aug. 24 jamboree at Aurora with Branson, Cassville and the host team, Bolivar opens its season Aug. 27 in the Sullivan Tournament.
