By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
After going seven straight seasons without a winning record, Carthage has strung together three straight winning seasons and the Lady Tigers like their chances to continue their winning ways.
“We are looking to now make it four (straight),” coach Stephanie Ray said. “The girls are excited to get back on the field. I think if we approach this season one game at a time, we could finish the season in the top half of the (COC) and make a run toward the end of the season and into districts.”
Addie Wallace, a junior, will become Carthage’s primary pitcher for the first time. Last season, Ashlynn Jackson started 27 games and won 10 as a senior. Wallace started eight games and made 17 relief appearances. She finished with a 9-5 win-loss record and 3.78 ERA.
“Addie did a great job coming in off the bench and closing games for us,” Ray said. “She complemented Ashlynn very well. Several times during the season, Addie entered the game in the fourth or fourth (innings) and did a great job getting us out of some jams and allowing our offense a chance to go win some ball games.”
Sophomore Lottie Youngblood and freshman Emmy Stark give Carthage depth in the center circle.
“I would say our pitching staff as a whole will be really young, but they each bring something different to the table,” Ray said. “All three are hard workers and have been putting in the time this off season for the chance to compete this fall.”
Carthage’s offense last season increased its run production by an average of more than two a runs a game, compared to 2021. The Lady Tigers put up an average of 7.1 runs a game.
“Our offensive production was up. That was definitely exciting to see,” Ray said. “We return the majority of our offensive production. We return five starters who each drove in at least 20 plus runs last season. We have the capability to put pressure on other defenses with our speed.”
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The left side of Carthage’s infield is potent with third baseman Jenna Calhoon and junior shortstop Ashlyn Brust both proven commodities.
Calhoon hit .445 with five home runs and 37 RBIs a year ago. She is coming back from a torn ACL last winter.
“We look for her to continue to do big things for us,” Ray said. “She has worked hard to get back to where she is now. Jenna has quick hands and a lot of pop in her bat, and we look for her to lead our offense. (Defensively), Jenna is solid at third and reads the bunt well. She snags a lot over there at third.”
Brust batted .362 while accounting for 60 runs last season. She scored 39 runs and had 21 RBIs. Also, she swiped 20 bases.
“She’s a young lady who has great speed out of the box and on the bases and is always looking for ways to put pressure on the defense,” Ray said. “Ashlyn has a great eye at the plate and always puts the ball in play which makes her a great leadoff hitter for us. Defensively, Ashlyn is gritty and not afraid to get dirty. She has been working hard on faster transitions on the infield.”
Other returners include senior Brooklynn Dolon-Main, Alexis Smith and Shelby Hegwer and juniors Lexa Youngblood and Aven Willis and sophomore Lottie Youngblood.
Dolon-Main is a two-year starting catcher who hit .313 with 20 RBIs last season.
“She does a great job for us behind the plate and works well with all of our pitchers,” Ray said. “She has some pop in her bat and is capable of driving in a lot of runs.”
Smith, a first baseman, is coming off a .284 season in which she had 29 RBIs.
“Alexis does a great job driving the ball to gaps,” Ray said. “This off-season she has developed a little more power, and we are excited to see what she will do for us at the plate.”
Hegwer, an outfielder, had 24 RBIs and a homer a year ago, while showing a flair for dramatic.
“She came up with several timely hits that jump-started our offense and led to big innings,” Ray said.
Lexa Youngblood, who is moving from left field to center, batted .319 with 30 runs scored last year.
Willis responded to hitting left-handed for the first time by batting .300 with 28 runs scored and 20 stolen bases last season.
Lottie Youngblood will be a utility type.
“She is a young lady who can and will play anywhere you ask her,” Ray said. “Due to her versatility, you might see her on the mound, on the infield, and possibly even the outfield.”
Others to look out for are juniors Ali Wicklund and Addison Bayless and sophomore Jaycee Bayless, along with eight freshmen.
Carthage will host a jamboree Aug. 22 and open at the Morrisville Tournament Aug. 25-26.
