By Chris Parker
Carl Junction softball returns six starters in head coach Zak Petty’s seventh season at the helm of the program. That experienced group will be looking to improve on last season’s two-win campaign.
While the Lady Bulldogs return six starters, they will still be young with only one starter being a senior in Sammie Sims. Sims missed last season due to a broken leg and will return to her spot at shortstop where she started as a freshman and sophomore.
“When thinking of our team leaders, senior shortstop Sammie Sims stands out for me,” Petty said. “Unfortunately, Sammie broke her leg the weekend before tryouts last year, which led to her missing her entire junior season. We not only missed her on the field, but just her presence with the team as a leader. She’s an incredible kid. Great athlete, great student and a great person in our community.”
Juniors Izzie Southern and Hannah Cantrell along with sophomore Madi Olds are three more players who return as starters and will be looked to for leadership.
Olds earned second-team all-conference honors last year for her work as a utility player. She will settle in at catcher this year. As a freshman, Olds hit .403 with a 1.041 OPS including 13 runs scored and eight doubles.
“Madi was a utility player for us last year and played many different positions due to injuries we dealt with,” Petty said. “She’s really solid behind the plate, and is a fantastic hitter. She led our team in average last year as a freshman, hitting .403.”
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Southern returns to start at first base. She scored eight runs with a .282 on-base percentage last year.
Cantrell served a utility role last year, but will play second base primarily this year. She hit .255 with 19 runs scored last year.
“(Second base) is a spot we’ve been looking to solidify, and during the summer we have felt that junior Hannah Cantrell has really taken on this role and really will solidify us up the middle defensively,” Petty said. “Hannah will hit at the top of our order. She’s got tremendous speed.”
Sophomores Hannah Cole (pitcher/utility) and Dezi Williams (left field) are the final returning starters. Cole threw 112.1 innings with 34 strikeouts last year. Freshman Kiley Spencer will also compete for varsity innings in the circle.
“Hannah pitched the majority of our innings last year as a freshman, and has continued to improve,” Petty said. “Kiley will throw a lot of innings for us this year as well. Kiley had a really great year during our junior high season. She’s got really good stuff and will continue to develop.”
Cole will also look for time at first base when not pitching. Spencer will also play third base along with fellow freshman Georgia Arnold.
Freshman Ryleigh Palmer looks to hold down centerfield.
“She (Palmer) is an above average outfielder defensively, and at the plate is extremely disciplined and just knows how to get on base,” Petty said.
Senior Emma Fleming and sophomore Alivia Haase along with Cole will look to compete for time in right field.
“I feel confident putting any of these girls out there, so the difference may be who can be a difference maker at the plate,” Petty said.
Petty is excited for what this freshman class can bring to the varsity roster.
“It has been nice to see our incoming freshman have success this summer,” Petty said. “This is a group that is made up of pure softball players. They love the game, and they’ve played it a lot and it is showing. They just want to compete and get better every day. They will really add a lot to our roster this year.”
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Defense will be a strength for this team.
“I think this may be one of the better defensive teams I’ve had in the seven years I’ve been head coach,” Petty said. “We are solid at all of our spots, and I think that will really benefit us this season.”
Carl Junction will travel to Carthage for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with the host Tigers, Neosho and Joplin. The Bulldogs open the regular season Aug. 26-27 at the Aurora Kick-off Classic.
“We expect to have a successful season,” Petty said. “We dealt with tremendous injuries last year, and it was just an overall tough year for our program. This year, we have an influx of talent, even though we will be extremely young.”
