By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
They knew 2022 would be a rebuilding year, but the Mountain Grove Lady Panthers still managed nine wins in the season following the loss of seven to graduation.
Depth will not be an issue for Mountain Grove this year, as the team has 28 on their roster. Head coach Lori Hyde will once again be at the helm of Lady Panther softball.
Senior Desi Cantrell will return as the ace in the circle, returning after a season with 61 strikeouts in 85 innings. Cantrell also has speed on the basepaths and a .317 batting and .488 slugging percentage.
Senior catcher Hailey Proctor will begin her first year behind the plate. Proctor competed in limited games last season but also had a .625 average. Classmate Abby Fry will serve as second baseman.
Sammee Peterson, a former shortstop, will move to third base. CJ Hines returns to the outfield. Senior Emmy Alsup will also join the team for the first time.
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Sophomore Landry Golden will cover first base and added .327 at the plate as a freshman. Taylor Hicks, junior outfielder, had a .388 average last season. Audrey Ipock, junior, will pitch and play shortstop. Sophomore Morgan Tyrrell will also help out on the mound.
Freshman move-in Stella Benson is speedy and can cover the outfield, and classmate Elizabeth Nickel will join her there.
“I’m looking for strength in numbers,” said Coach Hyde. “I’m looking for a lot of help from the bench. We have a lot of stability there and are able to make adjustments according to other teams’ offenses. Looking to compete is our goal.”
The Lady Panthers will travel to Houston March 13 for a Jamboree with Houston, Plato, and Cabool. They will host Eminence for their home opener March 21.
