By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Waynesville coach Rochelle Maubach is looking forward to pitcher Emma Ray helping the Lady Tigers contend in the Ozark Conference.
“Emma, I believe, will be competitive in our conference,” Maubach said. “Contrary to what the numbers say, she is the top pitcher in the area. It takes a special kind of pitcher to win championships all summer — beating high school competitors and coming into high school ball in the fall and playing with girls who do not have a fraction of the experience — while maintaining composure in the circle when the defense has ‘glitches.’
“With her leadership on the field she brings players up to play in a tougher mindset,” Maucbach added. “She has never failed with her command in the circle.”
Ray was an All-Ozark Conference Second-Team selection last season.
Wayneville will also call upon Regan Grosvenor, Kendall Cobb and Haylee Beels to pitch.
“We look forward to an exciting season from the circle,” Maubach said. “We’ll be great in the circle. Regan and Kendall both bring different speeds and movement to the table. We will introduce Haylee as a competitive pitcher at the varsity level, as well.”
Cobb, along with Regan and Riley Grosvernor all started as freshmen a year ago and are now being asked to be leaders.
“Kendall, Regan and Riley showed great growth last year, as they were in the varsity lineup quickly,” Maubach said. “They are big parts of what we have coming back on the infield and in the lineup. Along with several other underclassmen, they are part of a great core for this year and years to come for our program. We expect to see continued growth from everyone, especially our underclassmen as they take on bigger roles this year.”
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The Lady Tiger feature only two seniors.
“We’ll be a young team,” Maubach said. “However, what we lack in experience, we make up for in athleticism on defense and in the lineup. We’re a team that should have a lot of range (defensively). We’ll need to put the ball in play more on offense, but it should be a diverse lineup with speed and power. ”
After a 10-16 season a year ago, Wayneville has its sights set on a winning season.
“We should be competitive in every game we play,” Maubach said. “The girls have set a team goal for wins, and I think we have the talent to achieve it. We were not statistically as strong last season. We have set individual goals to achieve the overall team goal. Those are the stats we are most focused on.”
Wayneville will host a jamboree on Aug. 22.
