By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Strafford features enough star power around its infield, behind the plate and in its outfield that the Lady Indians are counting on a rewarding season.
Coach Dale Bean welcomes back starters in shortstop Lauren Jones, third baseman Mya Highfill, catcher Evelyn Comstock, first baseman Ashley Suter, center fielder Addy Crocker, left fielder Ally Rust and right fielder Presley McCain.
“There is a lot of optimism in this group,” Bean said. “We had a 24-26 combined record the past two seasons playing one of the toughest schedules you can build, with one of the most inexperienced teams you can have — ’21 and’ ’22 (were) really rebuilding/learning seasons.
“There is still a lot of area for improvement,” he added. “But you can start to feel the maturity building within the team and program.”
In Jones and Highfill, the left side of Strafford’s infield figures to be comparable with any team’s shortstop-third baseman combo.
Jones is coming off a sophomore season in which she hit .393 with six homers and 27 RBIs. Highfill’s sophomore season saw her hit .314 with two homers and 21 RBIs.
“Lauren has been one of the best middle infielders in the state for the past two spring seasons,” Bean said. “With a fielding percentage north of .900 as a freshman and sophomore at a position that has seen a lot of action for us, she has shown she can play elite defensively. Lauren has also been a major piece for us offensively the past two seasons, slugging 10 home runs across that span with a few of those coming against some of the (Mid-Lakes Conference’s) top pitchers.
“Mya is learning and growing into being a great infielder at the hot corner,” he added. “She brings a very strong bat to the middle of our order. We are looking forward to big things from Mya.”
Suter is a veteran with a good glove at first base and punch in her bat. She batted .317 with 10 doubles a year ago.
“We are excited for Ashley’s senior season at first base. She has shown a lot of flexibility in that position and has also stepped up big time with her offense,” Bean said. “She was in the top three (on the team) in a lot of offensive categories last season and we are excited to see her pick up right where she left off.”
Bean is interested to see who will emerge at second base.
“As things stand now, we have one infield position that we are needing to fill,” he said. “We have a handful of players who have been working to push for some varsity innings and help fill that position.”
CLICK HERE TO FIND LINKS TO ALL OF OUR SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Comstock was named to the Class 2 All-State First Team as a sophomore a year ago, when she batted .500 with two homers and 28 RBIs. Bean values her spirited play and leadership.
“Evelyn loves playing softball and has been putting in a ton of work in the off-season,” Bean said. “She’s a great teammate and wants to learn the game and succeed. Those are qualities that will help her be successful. We will look to her to help be a leader and help control the tempo from behind the dish.
“She does a fantastic job of receiving and blocking behind the plate, as well as helping our pitchers keep their composure with her demeanor,” he added. “We look forward to seeing her consistently put the ball in play with authority. She has only struck out six total times in the past two seasons, so she will be a tough out.”
Bean has high praise for Crocker’s defense and infectious personality.
“Addy will be one of our two seniors in the lineup this season,” Bean said. “She has grown to have a passion for softball and has increased her skill as a player every year in our program. She will be as solid an outfielder as they come in the league. She will make the routine plays, as well as make some of those difficult plays that will steal away some hits in the outfield.
“She is all smiles all the time and a great teammate and a joy to be around always,” he added. “We are looking forward to her having a great season.”
Rust will be starting in left field for a third straight season. She hit .315 last season.
“Ally has tremendous speed and is starting to come into her own,” Bean said. “She showed lots of signs during her sophomore year of great things to come. We are looking forward to seeing her do more of those great things on a more consistent level both offensively and defensively.”
McCain, a .346 hitter last season, rounds out Strafford’s outfield.
“Presley stormed onto the scene last year as a freshman from day one,” Bean said. “(She) began to pick up things fast and was awarded a full-time role toward the middle of the season. She has speed, great hands in the outfield, a strong arm, and hits the ball as hard as anyone. She has a lot of potential and we are excited to see how she looks throughout a whole season of play.”
Jones, Crocker, Comstock and Suter were all named to the Mid-Lakes Conference First Team last year.
The Lady Indians’ biggest question mark is at pitcher. Natalie Gannon replaces Emma Mullings in the center circle. Gannon tossed 27 innings with a 4-1 W-L mark and 5.96 ERA last season.
“We graduated a great leader and teammate on and off the field in Emma who will be hard to replace,” Bean said “We will be counting on Natalie, as well as (two) freshmen who have been working hard to take some innings to help keep us fresh and competitive throughout the season.”
Bean feels there are newcomers who will begin to make an impact as soon as this season.
“We have 12 freshmen (and) maybe more by the time the season starts and we are excited about every single one of them,” Bean said. “They have worked hard throughout the summer sessions and the off-season workouts. They all have their own unique abilities that will help build this program for the next several seasons.
“We are super excited about the potential of our freshmen group, as well as the opportunity for them to learn from the upperclassmen,” he added. “The league, what practices and games should look like, and how to compete and handle pressure on the varsity level will be some things they will learn this season that will go a long way.”
Strafford will open play by hosting its Indians invitational. New the Lady Indians’ slate is a trip to the Sparta Classic.
