By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
As the world learned more about the COVID-19 pandemic and it became clear that Missouri high school sports programs would be given the chance to compete last fall, teams across the state knew they were always one phone call or email away from receiving season-altering news.
For the Carl Junction softball team, it came in early September.
Led by a talented group of six seniors, the Bulldogs opened the year 4-3 and appeared well on their way to being the first group since 2015 to pick up at least 10 victories in a single season.
Then the team was shut down for reasons related to COVID-19 and played just one game in a 15-day stretch. After that strong start, it lost 11 of its next 12 games en route to a 7-16 finish.
But the Bulldogs nearly upset heavily favored McDonald County in the district tournament, ending on a positive note and establishing an identity that could define the coming campaign.
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“At the end of last season at our end-of-year softball banquet, I told our girls that I want us to be known for something — and I truly feel that CJ softball is known as a team that will fight like heck,” Carl Junction coach Zak Petty said. “We’ve never been a dominant team on offense or defense, but our girls fight. We ended last season with a loss to McDonald County, 2-1. We were the (No.) 7 seed, they were the 2 — and our girls just fought. As a coach, that’s what I’m looking for and I’m extremely proud of the culture that we’ve created here.”
The COVID-19 shutdown transformed last fall’s schedule from a marathon into a sprint.
The Bulldogs closed out the regular season with 14 games in 17 days — leaving little time to regroup or refocus between contests. It was a challenge unlike anything they had seen before.
“I would say it did affect our rhythm,” Petty said. “Obviously dealing with COVID-19 last fall was something new for all of us. There, for a stretch of 2-3 weeks, we were dealing with quarantines and having to reschedule games. But in the end, our girls dealt with it in an incredibly positive way and we were able to get back on track towards the end of the season.”
Part of that can be attributed to the steady leadership of outfielders Kalyssa Hagston and Bryn Neria, infielders Kacie Ford, Jayden Green and Kaitlyn Nease and all-district pitcher Saedra Allen, who all graduated with the Class of 2021. This year’s team will befar less experienced, as only four starters return and the remaining players have seen minimal varsity innings.
“Saedra was one of the best pitchers in our conference, so that’s a huge hole that needs filled,” Petty said. “Jayden Green led our team in average, and the others filled spots that our girls this year are going to need to step up and fill in. The girls we have now I think realized that there was going to be a lot of opportunity to grab a starting spot for this year, so I’m very interested to see how much some of them take advantage of the opportunity.”
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Returning players include all-district catcher and four-year starter Allison Plumlee, who hit .352 with 14 RBI last season.
“She’s got a great arm behind the plate and controls the run game really well,” Petty said. “It’s so nice to have her back there with as much experience as she has.”
Junior shortstop Sammie Simms (.379 average/.512 on-base percentage/.530 slugging percentage) will return to the leadoff slot after scoring a team-high 19 runs last season.
“She’s great defensively and there’s not many balls she can’t get to,” Petty added.
Sophomore Izzie Southern hit .356 as a freshman and will “more than likely” transition to the role of everyday first baseman now that Green has graduated, Petty said, while senior Addie Brock played in 17 games last season and will likely start at third base or in left field.
Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Hannah Cantrell will take over primary pitching duties after hitting .429 in an abbreviated freshman campaign.
“She missed a lot of time last year due to injury, so she has a lot of catching up to do,” Petty said. “She’s an incredible athlete and really just started pitching last off-season and we’ve been very happy with the progress that she has made.”
Two more newcomers — freshman Hannah Cole and junior Emma Fleming — will also see time in the circle. And freshman Madi Olds will have a starting spot somewhere in the lineup.
“We are moving her all around the field position-wise and we will find somewhere for her to be,” Petty said. “She’s got a really good bat and I will have her in the lineup on day one.”
Petty said utility player Alivia Haase and outfielder Dezi Williams will also compete for playing time as freshmen, though some battles may not be decided until the week of Carl Junction’s first game. Seniors Tavia Rodriguez and Jamie Fabozzi are vying for positions in the infield, while classmate Dalaynie Hallacy will likely secure one of the vacant jobs in the outfield.
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“I feel really good about our offense,” Petty said. “Our top six or seven hitters can really swing it. If the bottom part of our order can find ways on base and to have productive at-bats, we can be really dangerous at the plate.”
Carl Junction will visit Carthage for an August 24 jamboree with the Tigers, Joplin and Neosho.
The regular season begins with an August 30 home game against Cassville and Central Ozark Conference play commences September 7 when Carthage visits Carl Junction.
“Our conference is always tough,” Petty said. “I mean, Webb City played for a state championship last year. Carthage came on really strong last season. Neosho was incredibly tough. I could go through and say something positive about each team.”
