By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Forsyth coach Jeff Walls feels the Lady Panthers are on the brink of reaping the rewards from starting a junior high program in recent years in the form of a strong freshman class.
The freshmen could be immediate impact players.
They include Riley Holmberg, Abby Gladden, Leighton Krob, Georgia Barnett, Haiden Holle, Libby Hunter, Taylor Braden, and Calli Oldenburg.
“We have a very talented freshman group coming in,” Walls said. “It will be interesting to see how quickly they can adjust to the speed of the varsity game.”
Walls values the versatility the freshmen will offer him. By design, they each can play multiple positions.
“We value creating softball players,” he said. “Part of that definition is the ability to play anywhere you’re needed. This year’s freshmen will be a great example of that philosophy in action. We will most likely have freshmen in key spots throughout the season. Any number of these young ladies will be asked to play a key spot on the field.”
Forsyth will be looking for its 12th straight winning season, after posting an 18-14 record a year ago.
The Lady Panthers will have senior Lindsey Essary and sophomore Lauren Turner as options in the center circle.
“Unfortunately, Lindsey battled injuries last season,” Walls said. “We are hoping that she will stay healthy all season and lead us from the circle as our No. 1 pitcher.”
Turner’s freshman season a year ago was highlighted by her beating Ava, which went on to make the Class 2 Final Four.
“We were very pleased last year with Lauren’s progression,” Walls said. “It is a very difficult jump from junior high softball to varsity softball, but she did it well. Throughout the season, she showed flashes of brilliance from the circle.”
At-bat, Essary hit .371 last season.
First baseman Lilia Roberts is back after turning in a sophomore season that included a .422 batting average.
“Lilia had a huge year for us,” Walls said. “In addition to being a run producer in the middle of our lineup, she moved over to third base when we had some injuries. She will most likely move back to first base this year and stay in the middle of our lineup. She has also been working hard all summer and winter on her pitching. She could see some varsity time in the circle for us as well.”
Zoe White and Katelynn Von Deck are both catchers, with White also patrolling center field.
The Lady Panthers also feature a returning starter in shortstop Anna Cardwell
“She has worked extremely hard this off-season and we expect big things out of her,” Walls said.
Also competing for starting jobs will be Emily Nelson and Haylee Bilyeu.
“I would imagine our lineup will remain very fluid as we mix and match depending on who is pitching and who adjusts the quickest,” Walls said.
Walls places high expectations for his players.
“One of our core values is ‘Discipline,’ which we define as the ability to trust the process to completion,” Walls said. “In order for us to be successful this season, we are going to have to buy into a team-first approach and be disciplined enough to trust the process from day one. Our young kids and even our veteran players are going to have to be willing to do whatever is asked for us to be successful.
“As always, we want to be playing meaningful games in May,” he added. “In order to do that, we are going to have to learn on the fly and adjust to life as varsity players.”
The Lady Panthers will host their own tournament and also take part in tourneys at Strafford and Mt. Vernon.
