By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2022 proved to be another successful campaign for Willard softball.
The 20-17 Tigers completed a second-straight season with at least 20 victories, falling to Nevada in the district tournament.
“We struggled out of the gate last year and took some time to find our footing,” head coach AshLeigh Williams said. “Once we hit the halfway point, we started to play well and play as a cohesive unit. The players learned how to win close ball games and play at a high level. We return the bulk of our starting lineup so hopefully that experience carries over to the start of this season.”
Willard will be led by a trio of seniors in Reece Anderson, Alyson Miller and Hannah Burks.
Anderson, an all-state honoree at shortstop, hit .430 with 49 hits, 20 doubles, 43 runs and 14 stolen bases as a junior. She set school records for doubles, hits and runs.
“Reece is the most consistent player we have,” Williams said. “She anchors our lineup in the leadoff spot and is on base more than half of the time. She has provided more power over the last couple of years, which is a bonus, but we really look to her to set the table and get us going offensively. On defense, she’s been the starting shortstop since she was a freshman. She has great range due to her speed and ability to read the ball off the bat. Her game IQ is also off the charts. Overall, she is that five-tool player that every coach loves to have and can’t wait to see what she does during her senior season.”
Miller, an all-conference and all-district third baseman, hit. 347 with 11 home runs and 37 runs batted in last season. She is Willard’s career home run leader with 25 heading into the fall campaign.
“Alyson had another record setting year with home runs and RBIs during her junior season,” Williams said. “While she has always wowed everyone with her power, she took a huge step forward last year by becoming more of a complete hitter. Defensively, Alyson has been starting at third base since she was a freshman, with last year being her best defensive year yet. Alyson is extremely athletic and works to be the best at everything she does. Her best attribute is how good of a teammate she is, always putting her teammates and their success before her own.”
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Burks, an all-district pitcher, recorded a 10-12 record last season with 79 strikeouts and a 4.30 earned run average. At the plate, she hit .388 with 7 home runs and 27 runs batted in.
“Hannah was second on the team in most offensive categories,” Williams said. “She has continued to improve all aspects of her hitting and had a tremendous summer. On the mound, Hannah struggled with control, but has put in the work this off season to right the ship and have a standout senior year in the circle. Hannah has been due for a breakout year since she was a sophomore and we are all hoping her senior year is it.”
Classmates Jaz Rennison, catcher, and Mia Davault, outfielder, also return for the Tigers.
“Last season was Jaz’s first full year behind the plate,” Williams said. “As her and Hannah gained more trust and confidence in one another, both were able to perform at a higher level. Mia broke the single season record for walks with 17. She has incredible patience at the plate and understands offensive situations.”
Williams also expects a quartet of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season in junior outfielder Kenadie Johnson, junior catcher/outfielder Sadie Reiber, freshman pitcher/infielder DeLaney Dixon and freshman outfielder Ossie Cooper.
With a host of talent, depth and experience returning, Williams is understandably optimistic about her team’s chances heading into the new season.
“With the majority of our starters returning and the strongest senior class I’ve had at Willard, I would say expectations are as high as they can be,” Williams said. “I think we all had high expectations last season, and we didn’t meet those. My hope is that failure from last year is still fresh in their minds and helps motivate us this year.”
Williams also believes Rogersville is shaping into more of a complete and balanced threat this season to support its potent attack at the plate.
“Our biggest strength last season was our offense,” Williams said. “I see that continuing, but I also think our pitching and defense will step up this season. We saw last year that those things were major factors in losing close games so we are going to focus our improvements in those areas. The hope is to be firing on all cylinders at the right time of the year and go as far as we can.”
A big reason for that optimism lies with Burks’s continued development in the circle. In addition to the Willard ace, Williams believes her three incoming freshman pitchers can provide innings and situational advantages this season.
“Hannah will anchor the circle and go into her second full season as the No. 1,” Williams said. “She’s put in a tremendous amount of work this off season to change/improve different aspects of her pitching, and she’s seeing that success on her travel ball team.”
For Willard to meet expectations and capture the program’s first district title since 2013, Williams believes her senior class must set the tone and lead by example.
“We will live and die by those five,” Williams said. “They’ve earned every bit of success and accolades they’ve gotten over the last three years, but what they really want is that team success. They want a conference championship, a district championship, and beyond.”
Following an Aug. 18 jamboree at Glendale, Willard opens its regular season Aug. 25 in the Morrisville Tournament.
