By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Lady Lions graduated their starting pitcher, catcher, and both corner outfielders from last year’s team. While the four were solid defensively and played a major part in the team’s offense, Mansfield head coach Aaron Gray returns five starters and seven lettermen for the spring season.
Senior centerfielder and lead-off hitter Macie Tate hit .326 with a .525 on-base percentage last season. “She did a solid job of getting on base for the big bats in our lineup,” said Gray. “Defensively, she is one of the best outfielders in our conference. I have a ton of confidence when there are balls hit in the air anywhere around her.” Macie was an all-district and all-conference standout in 2022.
Returning senior third baseman Sadee Green hit .270 in her first full year as a starter last season. “She did a good job at third base, and I look for her to help anchor our outfield,” said Coach Gray. “Sadee has worked hard during the off-season, and it will be fun to see her progression at the plate.” He noted Sadee is projected to be a middle of the order bat and will drive in runs.
Three-year starter Lauren Jones will serve as first baseman. The senior hit .457 and led the team with 8 doubles while hitting out of the two-hole a year ago. The all-district and all-conference selection “is a really good target at first base and is an anchor for us in the infield,” said her coach. “I see her somewhere in the top four of the order. I look for her to play a large part of what we do offensively.”
Junior Kyra Thompson has spent two years on the infield but will take over at the pitching circle this spring. She has pitched a handful of varsity games for the past two years but will now serve as primary pitcher. “Kyra is tenacious in the circle, and I look for her to keep us in ball games with her arm,” said Coach Gray. “She features multiple pitches and can throw them all for strikes.” Kyra has also worked on her hitting in the off-season and looks to contribute at the plate.
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Madison Hanger, junior, was a part-time starter a year ago on the infield and pinch hit and ran for the Lady Lions. She will now serve as catcher. “I’m confident that with hard work, she can do a good job for us,” said Gray. “At the plate, Madison has some pop. We need her to consistently drive the ball and be someone that can drive in runs out of the middle of the order.”
Sophomore Faith Clark lettered a year ago as a courtesy/pinch runner. Faith has primarily been a catcher but spent the summer in the outfield. “I project Faith as an outfielder who can cover ground with an above-average arm,” said her coach. “We’ll also look to Faith as someone with a high on-base average.” Clark’s speed can also be an advantage for Mansfield.
Laikyn Ball served as a courtesy and pinch runner as a freshman, and now the sophomore could move into an infield or outfield spot. “Laikyn is a hard worker with a great attitude,” said Coach Gray. “She spent a great deal of time during the off-season working on her hitting.” He noted Ball could hit early or late in the order and will be expected to be a high on-base player.
Avery Lansdown is a senior who has been in the program for three years and lettered last year as a primary outfielder. “She has made tremendous strides throughout the past couple of years,” her coach said. Avery will spend time in the outfield and could be utilized as a pinch hitter or runner.
Kiersten Garrison is a middle infielder who can also play some outfield. Per her coach, the sophomore is a tough player that will push for playing time.
Hailey Smith is a corner outfielder and first baseman. “She is a player that has the potential to hit for power,” said Gray. The junior could slot as a pinch hitter for the varsity team this season.
Five freshmen round out the team. Addie Jones, an infielder with a solid arm, has potential to contribute to the lineup from the start. “At the plate, Addie can be a high-contact hitter who will also possess pop as time goes on,” said Coach Gray. Brooklynn Dugger is a left-handed thrower who will be found in the outfield, at first base, or on the mound. Cayley Young can be used as an infielder or a corner outfielder. “She spent time working on her swing this winter and has a high ceiling at the plate,” said Gray. Haleigh Jones and Madisyn Bennett each worked on swings in the off-season as well and will primarily be utilized in the outfield.
“This group will be different,” said Coach Gray. “I don’t think we will have the pop that we have had in the past. We’ll have to figure out other ways of scoring runs. Defensively, we’ll have a different look. Hopefully we are up to the challenge from the start. We’re going to ask some of our younger girls to step up and make an impact.”
Mansfield will open their season with the Summit Conference Tourney March 17-18.
