By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Count new Joplin head coach Brenden Schneider among the baseball lifers who have taken a strong liking to softball.
“The thing I love most about softball is the speed and pitching,” Schneider said. “The game is so fast and that is why I find it so exciting. I enjoy the pitching aspect because it’s so unique and difficult to do. Not everyone has the mentality and the athleticism required to pitch.”
This is Schneider’s first head coaching job. He’s been an assistant for Joplin’s baseball team for five years, serving as the Eagles’ pitching coach. He was a Joplin’s softball assistant under former head coach Manny Flores for four seasons, before taking last year off.
Schneider reports he already knew enough about the Lady Eagles going into the summer and vice-versa that the coaching change has gone as well as they could have hoped.
“The process for taking over has been smooth because many of the girls are familiar with me from when I was previously on staff,” he said. “I also have great assistants in Peyton Hall and Tristan Routledge, who both are returning to the staff. They have helped to make this transition easy.”
Joplin will feature senior Jill McDaniel in the center circle. She was the Lady Eagles’ primary pitcher in their 16-14 season a year ago.
“We are very excited for Jill’s senior year,” Schneider said. “Our expectations of her are to be a senior leader and the leader of our pitching staff. She has worked hard on her craft and has been throwing in varsity games for three years now. We hope that experience translates to success.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
Caelyn Bobski and Ava Wolf are freshmen pitchers Schneider hopes will gain varsity experience to help their development.
Joplin’s lineup is led by sophomore Jadyn Pankow, who was an All-COC First-Team choice as a freshman last season. She is likely moving from the outfield to first base.
“Jadyn did a great job for us last year. She will be a solid bat in the middle of the lineup,” Schneider said. “We hope to see her continue to grow as a player.”
The Lady Eagles also boast veterans in shortstop Izzy Yust and Bailey Ledford. They give Joplin as much experience on the left side of the infield as any duo in the COC and Schneider is confident they will work well together.
“Bailey and Izzy will be in their third year together,” he said. “They have developed great chemistry. We expect that they will lead our defense and set the tone for us every game.”
Ledford received All-COC honorable mention recognition last season.
Abby Lowery made quite a splash as a freshman center fielder last year. She went through the season without an error.
“We are very excited about what she brings to our team,” Schneider said.
The Lady Eagles have depth at catcher, with Kirsten McMillen and Riley Kelly.
“(They) give us a ton of flexibility at that position,” Schneider said. “These girls each bring something different to our team, so we hope to see them both make big contributions.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Maria Loum and Libby Munn offer versatility.
“Both are very athletic and can play anywhere in the field,” Schneider said.
Taryn Casey, Ashley Phillips, and Peyton Meadows will also all see significant time.
Joplin’s winning record was the program’s first in recent history. The Lady Eagles won five of their final seven games to clinch a winning mark. They are out to try to make it two straight winning seasons.
“We are wanting to keep that momentum,” Schneider said. “We have a wonderful core of young athletes, along with plenty of experience from our upperclassmen. The hope is that combination brings us success. Our expectations are to compete every game.”
