By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Nixa softball posted its best record in over a decade last season.
The 23-9 Eagles captured the program’s first district title since 2010 and reached the Class 5 state quarterfinals before falling to Blue Springs South.
Head coach Matt Walker, entering his 10th season at the helm, credits a mid-season adjustment for a large portion of his team’s success.
“At the beginning of the year the girls had some success starting 6-0,” Walker said. “Then we lost four of our next five games in the Ozark tournaments. So we had a talk about getting a big head, and that we can’t just show up, and we have to compete every game. I really think it was a wakeup call for the girls.”
A quartet of talented graduates departed the team in centerfielder Katie Faulk, right fielder Dakota Hale, third baseman Kaylee Schlencker and catcher Apryl Zeno.
Faulk, Hale and Zeno will continue their respective softball careers this season at Independence Community College, Drury University and St. Charles Community College, respectively.
While it’s never a simple task replacing talented graduates, Nixa’s cupboard is far from barren heading into the fall campaign.
A pair of senior all-state selections will lead the Eagles in pitcher Maddy Meierer and shortstop Phoebe Gardner.
Meierer posted a 17-5 record last season with a 2.10 ERA.
“Maddy was our primary pitcher last year,” Walker said. “She still has some goals left to achieve this year and has been motivated for this fall.”
Gardner finished the 2021 campaign with a .485 average, 50 hits and 35 runs batted in.
“Phoebe will be a four-year starter for me at shortstop,” Walker said. “What I like with her is she keeps it very simple at the plate – barrel of the bat to the ball.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
The all-state duo will be joined by returning classmate Chloe Krans.
Krans, a second baseman, led the Eagles with 8 home runs last season.
“Chloe was our Miss Clutch last year with three go-ahead or walk-off home runs, the biggest being in the eighth inning of the district championship game. She kind of had a breakout season last year as a junior, because her sophomore year she was injured and didn’t see much time, so I think she surprised some teams.”
Junior first baseman Sara Sweaney and sophomore outfielder/pitcher Paige Garetson round out Nixa’s returning corps.
Sweaney recorded 7 home runs and 30 runs batted in last season.
“Sara has started for me at first base the past two years and has held down the middle of the lineup both years,” Walker said. “I look for more of the same this year.”
Garetson hit .341 in 2021, along with a 6-4 record in the circle through 54 innings.
“Paige played a very good left field for us last year,” Walker said. “She also got some time in the circle last year, and I see her getting more time and better results there too.”
With several open spots on the roster, Walker will turn to a few varsity newcomers who will likely step into prominent roles this fall.
“At third base I have a senior, Harper-Jane Simpson, who has been looking very good this summer,” Walker said. “She put in a lot of time over the offseason on her own to be ready. Behind the plate, junior Taylor Melton has been seeing most of the time this summer. She is a solid defensive catcher with an improved arm.
“The outfield could be a day-by-day deal with several options from senior Lauren Loney, juniors Lilly Wooten and Natalia Pharris, and sophomore Riley Harper. We might try several different girls ‘til we find a hot bat or someone that takes it from the others.”
“With returning two all-state players (and one of them being our pitcher, Maddy), we are hoping for another good year, Walker said. “But two players can’t win a game for you. It takes a total team effort, and we have been talking about how big the target on our backs are after the success we had last fall.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
In the circle, Walker expects Meierer to once again anchor the staff with a pair of emerging sophomore options in the bullpen.
“Maddy will be our primary pitcher this fall, and have a couple options behind her in Paige Garetson and Bri Chilton,” Walker said. “Paige being a lefty who has improved her velocity this winter and Bri – an almost 6-foot righty who commands the zone.
At the plate, Nixa’s lineup could be a work in progress, but Walker believes the pieces are there to move runners in a variety of ways.
“We could take a few weeks to get things figured out,” Walker said. “I still believe we will have some girls with some pop, but we will be able to manufacture some runs if need be.”
While Nixa looks to build on last season’s success, a few individual milestones could be reached along the way, as well.
“Maddy could reach the career strikeout record for Nixa high school this year, needing 117 more to reach 534 held by Aaron Becker and if she can get 7 more wins she will have the most wins in school history,” Walker said. “Also, Phoebe Gardner needs 22 more hits to overtake Morgan Jones all-time with 145 hits.”
Following an Aug. 19 home jamboree, Nixa will host Kickapoo Aug. 26 to open its season.
