By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A new face will be patrolling the Logan-Rogersville dugout this season.
Manny Flores takes over the Wildcats helm from longtime head coach Denny McHenry.
Flores, who previously led teams at Joplin and Liberty, inherits a program that finished the 2021 season with a 20-9 record and third-straight district championship.
“My goal is to build upon the great program that Coach McHenry has in place,” Flores said. “I want my players to play the game the right way to the best of their abilities and have fun doing so.”
Flores’ first order of business will be finding replacements for a deep and talented class of graduates in Jenna Lane, Meghan Hager, Jenna McKenzie, Halle Miles, Ali Icenhower, Grace Kirby, Maddie Evans and Kendall Meadors.
Lane, Hager and McKenzie were all-state honorees last season.
The Wildcats will be led by returning all-state third baseman Cassidy Coambes.
Classmates Taylor Bingham (catcher/first base), Chloe Jones (shortstop), Gloria Alvarado (outfield), Kalee Gauldin (outfield) Aleah Metge and Rachel Bess also return, along with junior Destinee Rivera.
In addition, Flores expects a pair of talented freshmen to make immediate impacts to the varsity roster in pitcher Sydney Prenger and catcher/first baseman Amelia Booth.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
After nearly turning over the entire roster from the past season, Flores expects an adjustment period as new faces become accustomed to new roles at the varsity level.
“There will definitely be a learning curve that I’m expecting our upperclassmen to teach our younger players,” Flores said. “Learning the gauntlet of high school softball is very different then summer ball. We are practicing every day, they have class, studies, and we play sometimes six or seven games in a week. Learning how to manage their time and learning how to compete when you’re tired will be crucial for them.”
While relatively young and inexperienced, Flores has high expectations for his program this season, particularly at the plate.
“I think our offense has the chance to be the strength of our team,” Flores said. “We should be able to put up runs in a multitude of ways. Another strength is our ability to play loose. These girls like to have fun and put in the work and that’s a hard balance for some teams.”
In the circle, Rogersville will look to the freshman Prenger to step into the ace role and hold opposing hitters at bay.
“Sydney is set up to receive the bulk of our innings,” Flores said. “We will need to find another girl behind her to be our number two, which could be Kaylee Gauldin.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
While there may be a bit of a learning curve heading into the season, Flores believes his team’s attention to detail could make the difference and help minimize the adjustment period.
“I expect us to take the field everyday with the mindset we won’t be outworked,” Flores said. “We are going to control the controllables (which is our attitude and effort every day) and let the results take care of themselves.”
Following an Aug. 20 jamboree at Kickapoo, Rogersville opens its season Aug. 26 in the Halfway Tournament.
