By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
In each of its last three seasons, Willard softball has posted a three-win improvement over the previous year.
After an 18-14 mark in 2020 capped by a district championship appearance, Lady Tigers head coach AshLeigh Williams would love to see the trend continue.
Entering her 11th season, Williams reflected on the Covid-19 challenges faced in the Ozarks last year.
“Just like everyone else, 2020 for us was about overcoming adversity,” Williams said. “Sometimes games got shifted, sometimes cancelled altogether; but, we just tried to roll with everything and stay as positive as possible. At one point we only had nine players due to quarantine, so we really learned about grit and heart during those times.”
Five graduates move on from the program in Kailie Crews, Keeley Aaron, MacKenzie Davis, Brianna Jeffries, and Maddie Langum.
Crews (Stephen’s College) and Aaron (North Arkansas College) will both continue their respective softball careers at the collegiate level this fall.
While replacing holes in the lineup is never an enviable task, Williams is thankful to be addressing softball-related challenges heading into the season.
“Usually, the biggest challenges teams face rolling into a new year is how to fill gaps that seniors have left,” Williams said. “My hope is that, once again, that will be our biggest concern this year and not Covid.”
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL SEASON SCHEDULE
A pair of seniors will lead the charge for the Lady Tigers this season in catcher/designated player Rylie Ritchey (.426 BA, 4 HR, 26 RBI) and pitcher Sydni Fletcher (.419 BA, 14 RBI, 14-9, 2.98 ERA, 154 K).
Teammates at the 1-2 positions since the sixth grade, Ritchey and Fletcher provide Willard with great chemistry and leadership, according to Williams. Both received all-conference and all-district honors in 2020.
“Sydni and Ryley are our only seniors this year and have been playing together for years,” Williams said. “They are the perfect mix of leaders, one leading by example (Ryley) and one leading with effort/enthusiasm (Sydni). Together, I couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors who are great examples for our younger girls to look up to.”
Sophomore third baseman Alyson Miller (.333 BA, 8 HR, 30 RBI), sophomore shortstop Reece Anderson (.291 BA, 16 RBI) and junior first baseman/pitcher Abby McMillin (.363 BA, 19 RBI, 2-0, 4.92 ERA) also return to the lineup as all-district honorees.
“Alyson exploded on the scene last fall in a big way,” Williams said. “She broke the school record for home runs with eight and had numerous ‘wow’ moments with how hard and how far she hit the softball. Reece has the best fielding hands I’ve ever seen – that, plus her speed and strength, makes her fun to watch in the field. Abby has improved over the last couple of years and is poised to have a breakout year at the plate.”
A trio of sophomore varsity newcomers in Hannah Burks, Jaz Rennison and Mia Davault will also compete for playing time this season.
“While we graduated 5 seniors, we are very optimistic about this coming season,” Williams said.
“We have our battery intact for their final season and a lot of younger players who have really developed quickly and are ready to jump in and contribute.”
Williams expects Fletcher, Burks and McMillin to share time in the circle backed up by a young, but experienced infield unit.
“We’re returning almost our whole infield,” Williams said. “All the players have experience and success from playing last year. Our infield is definitely our strongest part of the defense.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
APPLE – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ANDROID – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
At the plate, Williams believes her team is capable of scoring runs in a variety of ways, depending on how particular game situations develop.
“The last few years we’ve had a shift from small ball to more of a power look,” Williams said. “While I think small ball is super important, and we do spend a lot of time on it, the team is going to be built for power and scoring a lot of runs.”
With high expectations, Willard’s success will largely depend on how quickly its old and new players can settle into their roles and mesh as a complete team.
“Our expectations are as high as any other year, but we will take it one game at a time,” Williams said. “With how young we will be, we’ll have some growing pains, but we’ll just have to focus on the positives, keep building throughout the season, and hopefully, peak at the right time.”
Following an Aug. 20 jamboree at Monett with Kickapoo, Webb City and the host school, Willard opens its season at home Aug. 30 against Hillcrest.
