By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last season was a first for the Kickapoo softball program. Following a second-straight district title, the 24-4 Lady Chiefs notched a Class 5 third-place finish in the state tournament.
Head coach Jason Howser attributed the thrilling season to the examples set by a strong group of Kickapoo seniors.
“It was accomplished in large part because of our senior class,” Howser said of the team’s postseason run. “Ellie Facklam, Chloe Merced, Jaden LaBarge, Maggie McKee and McKenna Fink — their leadership and constant work toward the goal of a final four was, in large part, the reason for our success in 2020.”
Facklam and Merced received all-state honors and will continue their respective softball careers this fall at Labette Community College and Missouri State University. LaBarge (Washburn University) and McKee (Labette Community College) will also continue playing at the next level.
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While programs don’t easily replace such a significant graduating class with two all-state selections, Kickapoo’s cupboard is far from barren.
A trio of senior starters return to lead the Lady Chiefs this season in catcher Kate Pierce (.467 BA, 38 RBI, .558 OBP), shortstop Megan Dancey (.347 BA, 12 RBI, .434 OBP) and outfielder Bella Williams (.368 BA, 18 RBI, .413 OBP).
“Kate will be our quarterback – a great defensive catcher and will provide great offense this fall,” Howser said. “Megan is an excellent infield leader and hard-nosed player. Bella is a plus defender in the outfield and great lead-by-example player.”
The Lady Chiefs return three additional junior starters in infielder Karli Facklam (.385 BA, 29 RBI, .459 OBP), outfielder Taylor Akers (.430 BA, 18 RBI, .490 OBP) and utility Callie Muldoon (.370 BA, 5 RBI, .430 OBP).
“Karli, Callie and Taylor were starters and impactful last fall,” Howser said. “Those ladies will now be counted on to lead this year’s team and show the younger players how we do things.”
Howser also believes a number of varsity newcomers could break into Kickapoo’s lineup this season, including Kaylee Henderson, Reese Harrell, Esther Collins, Allison Scott, Taryn Hagardt and Lily Hill.
“We will have a lot of experience returning this fall,” Howser said. “How quickly we can take that experience and mesh with the new players will be a full-season journey. We want to compete on every pitch. That keeps it real simple, but will be our expectation.”
To fulfill those expectations, Kickapoo will first need to establish a new identity in the circle following the departures of both LaBarge and Heidi Facklam.
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“Pitching will be the biggest question mark for our team,” Howser said. “It will be a fun journey to find out who is in the circle come district time.”
While the Lady Chiefs’ pitching could be a work in progress this season, it will be backed by a promising defensive unit.
“Kate Pierce is an exceptional catcher,” Howser said. “We are blessed with a very solid infield led by Megan Dancey and Taylor Akers, and Bella Williams can cover ground in the outfield. [Defense] should be the strength of our team.”
Following an Aug. 21 jamboree at Rogersville with McDonald county and the host squad, Kickapoo will open its season Aug. 27 at home against Nixa.
