By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After five-straight district titles and a runner-up finish in 2017, to say Purdy softball broke through in 2021 would be an understatement.
The Eagles posted a gaudy 30-1 record en route to the program’s first-ever Class 1 state championship.
Head coach Lori Videmschek was especially pleased to see her deep senior class finally achieve its long standing state title goal.
“Winning a championship is once and a lifetime accomplishment,” Videmschek said. “This past season was so special and a great way to finish our season. I feel that these seniors have been working all four years to reach their goal. We had such great leadership and dedication and commitment this past year – just a special year.”
Seven graduated seniors departed the program, including Lauren Schallert, Bayleigh Robbins, Jaclin Fenski, Annabelle Bowman, Kinsley Mattingly, Makenna Orwig and Faith Corscia.
“These seniors will be hard to replace and what I will miss most is their hard work ethic and determination to get better every day,” Videmscheck said. “I will also be missing all-state catcher Dally Craig that got hurt in basketball season and will be out for the season.”
While Purdy will have plenty of spots in the roster to fill, the Eagles do return two key components from last season.
All-state honorees Robyn Schad and Jessi Hoppes will step into leadership roles as Purdy looks for another deep run into the postseason this season.
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Schad, a senior first baseman, hit .465 last season with 9 home runs, 58 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases.
“Robyn is a great leader and she leads by example,” Videmschek said. “I’m so excited to see what she can do for us this year. Robyn is so explosive at the plate – she can drive the ball and I expect her to lead our team offensively and defensively. This can be an exciting year for her.”
Hoppes, a sophomore outfielder, hit .344 with 2 home runs, 27 runs batted in and 13 stolen bases.
“Jessi had an outstanding freshman year in center field,” Videmschek said. “She is super fast and can get a great jump on the ball. She played her best at the state tournament, and I’m expecting her to continue to get better at the plate and with her speed on the bases. She can make adjustments at the plate and either bunt or hit with power so it’s hard for people to defend her.”
Sophomore Hadley Hughes also returns for the Eagles.
Hughes, pitcher and third baseman, posted a 3-0 record last season with 23 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA.
“Hadley pitched eight varsity games and was 3-0 for the year,” Videmschek said. “She also played eight games at third base and did an outstanding job for us. I’m expecting her to come in and be a work horse for us this year. Excited to see what she can do at the plate – very strong with a lot of power.”
With several roster spots to fill, Purdy will turn to a host of varsity newcomers to develop quickly into key roles.
Seniors Jasmine Holloway, Areli Garcia and Jaden Morgan; junior Kavery Postlewait; sophomores Riley Stanford and Raeley Henderson; and freshmen Brooklynn Bunch, Gracie Patton, Rosa Schad, Zoey Webb, Serenity Morris and Marlene Villa will all compete for playing time this season.
“We will be very young but these kids did a great job this summer and I believe if they work hard and be committed to our program we will have success on the field,” Videmschek said. “As I look and see we will be very young in key spots, but I believe we will have a few growing pains and will get better at the end of the year. The quicker they make the adjustments during the season the better player they will become.”
Videmschek believes Purdy’s biggest strength heading into the spring campaign will be its overall team speed and work ethic.
“Most of these kids that I have were on our team, or a manager on our team, and they know what it takes to be a champion,” Videmschek said. “I know we will have failure along the way, but that is what makes you better. Softball is such a great sport, and these kids are hungry and determined to get better and compete every day.”
In the circle, Hughes will look to step into the primary stopper role for the Eagles.
“How Hadley develops during the season will determine how far we get into districts,” Videmschek said. “She is a very strong pitcher, and I believe if she is committed to be the best, she will have success on the mound. Junior Kavery Postlewait will also be pitching for us. I know with hard work she will do a great job on the mound.”
At the plate, Purdy’s lineup will likely be a work in progress early on in the season, as players develop and settle into their respective roles for the team.
“I really don’t know for sure what our line up will be,” Videmschek said. “I do know we will be very strong on the bases – speed and our ability to handle the bat at the plate. I feel we will have both power and speed at the plate.”
In the field, Videmshek expects some growing pains early on as her players adjust to the varsity game, but she believes that adversity will only galvanize her team as it works its way through the schedule.
“Our defense will be very young,” Videmschek said. “I know we will make mistakes but by learning from our mistakes and getting better, I feel we can be very good at the end of the year – exciting is how I would explain our defense.”
While Purdy will be largely young and experienced in 2022, Videmschek believes its returning trio of players will provide the leadership and a blueprint for overall success.
“As I look back and get ready for this season, our underclassmen know what it takes to get back to the final four,” Videmschek said. “We have to be patient this year and learn and grow. We will be very young and we will have growing pains along the way. We are motivated to get back to the final four and be contenders in our conference and districts. I am very excited to see what we can do this year.”
Following a March 14 jamboree at home, Purdy will open its regular season March 18 at Liberal.
