By Chris Parker
Willow Springs begins its first season as a spring-only softball program this year. The Lady Bears played a 15-game spring schedule in 2022 and went 11-4, but were ineligible for postseason since they were still a fall team for 2021-22.
“We moved to spring so that we could compete in our conference,” Willow Springs head coach Ryan Bunch said. “Most of our conference teams had already moved to the spring so we decided it was best that we go to the spring as well.”
Bunch returns a strong group including five players who earned all-conference honors in their last fall season.
Seniors Rylee Scarbrough (shortstop) and Anna Minge (centerfielder) will be team leaders.
“They both have great work ethics and lead by example,” Bunch said. “They are great examples of who we want to be on and off the field.”
Scarbrough, an honorable mention all-conference and a second-team all-district honoree, scored 19 runs and had 16 stolen bases. Minge, also an honorable mention all-conference selection, hit .362 with 22 runs scored and seven stolen bases.
Junior Emma Spence, sophomore Kaylee Pendergrass and freshman Kyla Smith will be in the mix for time pitching.
“I think the biggest key to these three pitchers are limiting walks, and having confidence in themselves out on the mound,” Bunch said.
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Spence, a second-team all-conference all-district pitcher, was 9-3 with 66 strikeouts in 61 innings her last fall season. She also hit .390 with 9 RBI and 12 runs scored.
Sophie Jackson (freshman) and Aleshia Shanks (sophomore) are candidates for innings behind the plate at catcher. Shanks had 8 RBI and 15 runs scored while leading the team in stolen bases with 22 as a freshman.
Around the infield expect to see Madelyn Fair (junior first base), Shanks (second base), Smith (second base), Scarbrough (shortstop) and Emma Roberts (junior third base). Second base is an open competition.
Fair was named first-team all-conference on the infield as a sophomore after she hit .477 with 28 RBI, 13 runs scored and seven doubles. Roberts, an honorable mention all-conference selection, hit .370 with 16 RBI and 14 runs scored.
Chloe Jones (freshman), Minge, Smith and Madison Bay (sophomore) are all in the mix for time in the outfield.
Bunch has seen improvement across the roster in the off-season.
“I think everyone has improved in one way or another whether it be defensively or at the plate,” Bunch said. “Everyone knew what aspect of the game they needed to improve, and they worked hard during the summer to do just that.”
Willow Springs opens the season on Mar. 20 at Dora.
“Our goals don’t change much from year to year,” Bunch said. “We always want to work hard to get better each and every day so that we are playing our best softball when districts roll around. We want to compete for a district title.”
