By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Nevada softball team is coming off a season in which it won 24 games — one more than the 2010 group that brought home the program’s lone state championship.
But this time, the school’s banner year didn’t end with another title.
That fact is not lost on Nevada’s six returning starters, who are looking to avenge last year’s loss to McDonald County in the district championship game — and secure the program’s fourth district title in the past six years.
“A lot of our players have played a lot of softball and they have very high expectations for themselves,” Tigers coach Danny Penn said. “The way last year ended is something they definitely have not forgotten.”
Five of those Tigers — Peyton Eaton, Ella Heathman, Caylee Holcomb, Skyler Burns and Kara Phillips — earned spots on multiple postseason teams, with Eaton and Heathman both collecting all-state honors.
With their core still intact, the Tigers sure look like title contenders.
“I think our experience is a huge strength,” Penn said. “Our six starters have played a lot of softball and had success. Peyton has been a very strong pitcher the last two years and I think she´ll be even better this year. We have lots of speed at the top of our lineup with Caylee and Kara and we have bats behind them in Peyton, Ella, and Skyler that can drive them in.”
Eaton, a junior, threw over 200 innings last season and posted a 2.40 ERA. She was just as dominant at the plate, driving in 30 runs while hitting above .400.
“She will probably hit third or fourth, so there will be lots of opportunities to both get on base and drive in runs,” Penn said. “Defensively, we will look for her to continue her success in the circle. There will be a focus on improved command with her secondary pitches, which will really make her that much tougher to hit.”
Heathman, a junior catcher, hit .365, drove in 39 runs and smashed five homers.
“She was a force at the plate, but she has the potential to be even better this year,” Penn said. “She threw out four base stealers last year and I know that is something she would like to improve upon. She does a really nice job of receiving and blocking. She and Peyton are one of the better batteries in the area.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Holcomb, Burns and Phillips all earned spots on the all-conference and all-district teams.
Phillips was also an all-region pick after stealing 27 bases and hitting above .400. She’ll be entering her fourth year as the team’s starting centerfielder.
“Kara is likely the most fluid outfielder I have ever coached,” Penn said. “Her reads and routes are tremendous and she has a very strong arm as well. Offensively, Kara uses her speed very well, capable of slapping and swinging lefty naturally.”
Holcomb, a junior second baseman, recorded a .530 on-base percentage.
“She does a really nice job of controlling the strike zone, not expanding, and using her speed as a weapon,” Penn said. “She also stole 24 bases. She has continued working on her swing and driving the ball all over the field.”
Burns, a senior first baseman, hit .420 and drove in 30 runs as a junior — and is poised for even bigger numbers this fall.
“I think she would even tell you that she is capable of more,” Penn said. “She does a great job of spraying the ball all over the field, hitting the ball where it is pitched. I think Skyler has the potential to drive the ball a little bit more, especially to the pull side.”
Junior outfielder Hope Hearting also looks to build off the success she saw last fall.
“She has tremendous bat speed and she has worked to improve her swing plane to set her (up) for success again this year,” Penn said. “She is a great teammate and someone who helps pick up her teammates.”
The flood of returning talent leaves few varsity jobs available, but they are significant holes to fill.
“We need to figure out who will be playing the left side of the infield,” Penn said. “There may be some early season growing pains that we will need to work through, but I am confident that we have the players who are capable of doing just that. We also need to figure out who our right fielder will be.”
However, the Tigers have already identified some strong internal candidates.
Kaleiah Johnson, a junior, saw significant varsity innings last year and will look to become the team’s everyday shortstop.
“She is extremely athletic and capable of playing both in the infield and in the outfield,” Penn said. “She has put in a lot of work during the offseason and has gotten much stronger.”
Addison McInroy, a sophomore, saw a few varsity at-bats last year and will look to graduate to a full-time role this fall. She has a chance to become the team’s starter at third base.
“She has also gotten stronger and more athletic over the offseason,” Penn said. “She is willing to do whatever is asked of her and isn’t afraid of working hard. With more reps and experience, I think everything will feel more and more natural to her.”
Junior infielder/outfielder Mariska Buehler could also lock down a varsity role.
“Someone who has played a lot of JV innings and is always willing to do whatever the team needs,” Penn said. “While she has mostly played infield, she will get some looks in the outfield during early practices.”
The Tigers will also have at least four new freshmen in the mix.
“I´m excited to watch them grow and potentially earn playing time,” Penn said.
Nevada, Carthage, Carl Junction and Joplin will all compete in an Aug. 22 jamboree at Carthage.
Nevada’s first regular-season game will be three days later at the Marion C. Early tournament, while the team’s home opener is set for August 29 against Cassville.
“We always want other teams to think of Nevada as a team that plays the game the right way — hustling, playing with energy and competing until the end,” Penn said. “We always want other teams to know that they are in for a fight when they play the Lady Tigers.”
