Camdenton softball is aiming to pick up where they left off last fall.
The Lakers made a run to the state quarterfinals a year ago while claiming their first district title since 2018.
“We’ve got the same goals this year,” said Camdenton softball coach Tyler Dinsdale.
To make another championship run the Lakers look to a pair of all-state players returning this season.
“Just having those two and being able to have that force on the mound and have that force in the three-hole it’s just really good,” Dinsdale said. “It makes my life as a coach so much easier.”
Centerfielder Zoe Lockhert is the reigning Ozark Conference Player of the Year and thrives in the outfield.
“She just tracks the ball so well, knows the routes, where to go, and has a cannon for an arm,” Dinsdale said.
“She’s like a little golden retriever. If anything is hit in the outfield and you think ‘Oh I think that’s going to drop.’ Zoe comes out of nowhere and catches it every time,” said Camdenton junior Cayden VonSande.
Lockhert is even more impressive in the batter’s box.
“Last year she was between .400 and .500 as far as batting average and she’s batting over .500 right now,” Dinsdale said.
In the circle, the Lakers look to ace Cayden VonSande.
“She can place her ball really well and she can spin it really well, so for her, she can make girls miss,” Dinsdale said.
“I get fired up when she’s pitching,” said Camdenton senior Zoe Lockhert. “She brings a lot of confidence to our team. I always know when she’s pitching against someone, and the batter is battling it out. I always think Cayden’s going to win it, and I have so much confidence in her when I’m in centerfield.”
Cayden doesn’t lack confidence in herself and currently has an ERA of .17.
“Since I’m so physically small I go out there and I’m like ‘Okay, I can do this. I’ve done this before; I’ve done this so many times,’” Cayden said.
“Cayden is feisty and a heck of a competitor. We’ve had some real good players come from Camdenton and she’s one of the most competitive girls we’ve had come through,” Dinsdale added.
It’s the connection between these two that could take the Lakers to new heights this season.
“Anytime I see her walk and she’ll look at the scoreboard and I’ll give her a little head nod and she’ll give me one back sometimes,” Zoe said.
“If I get a strikeout or Zoe gets a really good out, I’ll turn around and I’ll jump in the air and we’ll hold up our fingers and show however many outs we have,” Cayden said.
Before all is said and done, they could be holding up ones to signify another championship.
