By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2021 was another successful season for McDonald County softball with its fourth-straight season eclipsing 20 victories.
While the 24-7 Mustangs fell to Webb City in the district championship, head coach Heath Alumbaugh was pleased with his team’s resilient nature during a season full of challenges.
“The biggest thing our girls learned last year was toughness and grit,” Alumbaugh said. “I think we also learned that you can’t take reps for granted in practice, you have to be ready to go at any time, even if you are second or third on the depth chart at any position.”
A quintet of graduates departed the program in Madeline McCall, Adasyn Leach, Mariana Salas, Zoe Parish and Melanie Gillming.
McCall, a two-time all-state pitcher, will continue her softball career at Pittsburg State University this season.
Lone senior Reagan Myrick returns to lead the Mustangs this season.
Myrick, an outfielder, hit .454 last season with 27 runs batted in.
“Reagan will be a four-year starter this year,” Alumbaugh said. “A softball-savvy player with great speed and power at the plate.
Myrick will be joined by a talented group of juniors in Carlee Cooper, Naveah Dodson, Katelynn Townsend and Jacie Frencken.
The shortstop Cooper hit .343 last season and has started since her freshman season.
“Carlee is a steady glove in the middle infield that hits well with power and good speed,” Alumbaugh said.
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Dodson, a pitcher and outfielder, finished with a .480 average and 23 runs batted in. She also stepped up in a big way for the Mustangs in the circle, compiling an 8-4 record and 3.22 ERA during a period when the all-state McCall was out with an injury.
“Naveah will pitch for us most of this season,” Alumbaugh said. “She really moves the ball around and keeps hitters off balance. At the plate she is an explosive hitter that can hit anywhere in the lineup.”
Townsend, a catcher and outfielder, also returns for McDonald County as a three-year starter.
“Katelynn is very versatile on the field,” Alumbaugh said. “She can play in the outfield but will be behind the plate for most of the season this year. In the lineup she is a great situational hitter that can put pressure on the defense.”
Frencken, a third baseman, hit .337 last season with 31 runs batted in.
“Jacie has a very quick glove at third base and a top of pop in the middle of the lineup,” Alumbaugh said.
McDonald County will also welcome a host of varsity newcomers to its roster.
Kylan Sherman, Amanda Pacheco, Analissa Ramirez, Ashley Dornon, Alexis Abbott, Maggie Pratt and Natalie Gillming are all expected to compete for playing time this season.
While the Mustang roster will feature several new names in new roles, the expectations don’t change for a team that has continued to progress as it heads into Alumbaugh’s third season at the helm.
“Our expectations are always very high for this program,” Alumbaugh said. “We have a group of young women that have put in the time and effort working in the heat, and working when others don’t want to be. We expect to be competitive and give ourselves a chance to win.”
In the circle, McDonald County will utilize a trio of arms in Dodson, Vivianne Latham and Jaylee Brock to keep opposing hitters off balance and limit scoring opportunities
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“At this point in time we have three options in the circle,” Alumbaugh said. “All three have put in time over the summer playing and getting better so they are ready to go.”
At the plate, the Mustangs will feature a dynamic lineup with ample amounts of both speed and power.
“I think you’ll see a lineup that can get on base and put pressure on defenses with speed,” Alumbaugh said. “We also have a good mix of power throughout.”
In the field, Alumbaugh expects McDonald County’s consistency and attention to detail to continue, despite a number of new faces with relatively little experience at the varsity level.
“The biggest thing I like about our defense is our ability to make the routine play,” Alumbaugh said. “We may not be flashy but we’ll give ourselves a chance. I think the biggest challenge for us to overcome is settling into some new positions in the outfield. We have a group of girls all preparing and competing for that playing time.”
Following an Aug. 20 jamboree at Kickapoo, McDonald County opens its season Aug. 27 at Quapaw, Okla.
