By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
If this summer was any indication, the Ozark Lady Tigers are poised for a bounce-back season.
Ozark endured injuries and close losses last season, finishing 15-15 overall. Ozark lost six games by two or fewer runs.
Ozark’s offseason of training, hard work and team unity has boosted the outlook heading into 2021.
“We’ve worked hard this summer in our weight and agility workouts to get stronger and faster,” said Ozark coach Jimmy Nimmo. “During the summer, we had opportunities to bond as a team and I really think it paid off. When (practice) on August 9 rolls around, we will dive in with full engines ahead and hopefully never look back.”
Ozark will have one of the best outfield units in the area.
Senior Kenna Mayfield was a bright spot for Ozark last season, as she hit .458 (38 hits) and tallied 32 runs. She earned first team all-conference and second team all-region honors.
Mayfield, who has committed to play next school year at Evangel University in Springfield, also had a 94% fielding percentage in center field. She’s capable of playing on the infield, too.
“Kenna will play a big role this year as one of our senior leaders,” Nimmo said. “She’ll bat somewhere at the top of the lineup and lead our offensive charge.
“She played at a high level of softball this summer and will be prepared to compete at her best for her Ozark teammates.”
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Ozark gets a big addition to its lineup with the return of outfielder Abby Ford. She missed last season with a knee injury.
As a sophomore, Ford hit .478 (43 hits) with 39 runs and had a 92% fielding percentage in the outfield.
Colleges took notice – Ford has since committed to play Division I softball at Missouri State.
“Abby has worked extremely hard to get back to where she was prior to her knee injury,” Nimmo said. “She has played at a high level all summer and she has spent countless hours on her own, working on her game and strengthening her knee.”
Ford will likely be Ozark’s leadoff hitter this season.
“We expect Abby to continue her offensive and defensive success without missing a beat,” Nimmo said.
Junior Savannah Hughes (.304 BA), who also dealt with an injury last season, will play a utility-type role. She’ll see time in the circle and bat near the middle of Ozark’s lineup.
“I see great things in store for her,” Nimmo said. “Savannah works extremely hard and I feel that she is going to have a breakthrough year. I see her batting average and home run numbers increasing this season. We are also depending on her for RBI production.
“Savannah has played a lot of softball this summer and she has put herself in a position to do great things.”
While Ozark will again employ a small-ball style thanks to their overall team speed, the 2021 Lady Tigers should feature improved power at the plate.
“I hope to see our long ball numbers increase dramatically,” Nimmo said. “Timely hits from the middle of our lineup is key. We left (many) runners in scoring position last year and I hope to see a positive change in that this season.
“Our time in the weight room this summer and the work that we’ve done as a team and as individuals with hitting should help. When we take aggressive and confident attitudes to the plate, we should no doubt find ourselves building on those numbers. We have great potential. We just need to unlock it and believe in it.”
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Junior Brooklyn Hasler was a part-time starter last season. She’ll play first base, pitch when needed and be counted on for RBIs as a middle-of-the-order hitter.
“Brooklyn has a lot of potential and we hope that we put it on full display this fall,” Nimmo said. “She extremely hard and we trust that all her work will pay off for her and her teammates.”
After beginning last season as a backup, Jordyn Foley became Ozark’s “go-to” pitcher as the season progressed.
She finished with a 2.99 ERA as a sophomore. Heading into her junior season, Nimmo thinks Foley could improve upon that mark by a “full point or better.”
“I was pleasantly surprised with how Jordyn stepped up last season,” Nimmo said. “Her offseason work really paid off and we hope to see the same this season.
“Jordyn will have her opportunities to shine this fall in the batting lineup, too. If she can stay aggressive and confident, she’ll bring success to our batting order.”
Remi Watson gives Ozark another senior leader. She could earn playing time in the outfield or at third base.
“Remi’s positive attitude and work ethic will make a huge impact to the success of our team this fall,” Nimmo said. “Our senior class will lead this team in the right direction starting Day 1.”
Ozark must replace a senior class that included Maddy Spies (utility; honorable mention all-conference), Reagan Dickinson and pitcher Hattie Depee.
Ozark will have plenty of options to fill out its 2021 lineup. The Lady Tigers went 14-2 at the JV level last season. Several of those players will move up to varsity this fall.
On top of that, Ozark welcomes in a solid freshmen class.
Nimmo’s eager to see how it all plays out.
“One thing this (new) group brings to the team is competition for starting positions at the varsity level,” Nimmo said. “This is something we’ve not had for a long time. If we keep it positive and healthy, then we should see big benefits from it.
“We have multiple players in this group with the potential to see varsity time this fall. We have girls that can play multiple positions and can swing the bat as well.”
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Expect the most competition at infield positions, Nimmo said.
“They will have chances to prove themselves in practice and games to earn that starting spot,” he said. “This group of ladies also bring some speed to the team. We’ll take advantage of that as much as we can.”
If pitching improves, Ozark could end up in a familiar place: the state playoffs. The Lady Tigers won seven district championships and made one final four over eight years from 2011-18.
“As pitchers, our strikes-to-balls ratio must be better this year,” Nimmo said. “The number of free bases we gave up last year was unacceptable. We have to decrease the number of walks greatly this season and allow our defense to work.
“Our pitchers will be successful if we do. They will produce the outs we need by spinning and locating the ball like I know they can, which allows our defense to play their role.”
Ozark’s regular season opener is August 27 at home against Jefferson City. The Lady Tigers host the annual Ozark Fall Festival September 10-11.
