By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Springfield Catholic welcomes aboard Madison Orr as its new coach and she brings exceptional enthusiasm to the Lady Irish.
Orr is part of 36-year Missouri State coach Holly Hesse’s coaching tree. She was a catcher for the Lady Bears for three years and a graduate assistant for two seasons.
“I was coached by the best,” Orr said, referring to Hesse and assistants Sue Frederick and Beth Serine. “I learned so much about the coaching world from them.”
Orr’s assistant, Kat Taylor, is also a former MSU player.
Orr relates they are enjoying themselves at Catholic.
“The administration has been nothing but amazing and has made the first-year transition easy for me and my assistant,” she said. “We also have some amazing parents who have been there for us since day one to make sure that we are on our feet and comfortable. We have been very grateful for this opportunity to come in and share the knowledge and love for the sport we have loved for so long.”
Orr is hopeful her players adjust well to their new coaches.
“A whole new coaching staff can be challenging for the girls, parents,” she said. “Our whole coaching philosophy and expectations for the girls and parents are different, but we believe that we can make a positive difference for this team and girls.”
Catholic completed its third season with a softball program a year ago and set a school record with six wins. The Lady Irish had five and two wins the previous two years.
“We are working toward just getting better every single day,” Orr said. “Every day, we ask the girls to come in and give us their all, making sure that we are pushing them to have positive attitudes and 100 percent of their effort every time they come in. We are looking to win more games and keep making strides to grow this program into the potential it has.”
Most of Catholic’s players are freshmen and sophomores.
“But that’s not stopping us,” Orr said. “We are hoping to come in and be that fresh new light the girls need to succeed. The girls have shown us that they have the passion and fire to become something extraordinary out on the field and it has been so fun coming in and working with them.”
Handling the pitching duties for the Irish will be Jocee Luce, Averie Keeling, and Katie Galligos. Luce logged 21 innings last year.
“We are expecting Jocee to step up and be our girl in the circle this year,” Orr said. “We believe Jocee has the potential to come out and kill it this year. We are also expecting Averie to be a primary candidate in the circle as well. Averie got hurt last year, so we are working toward getting her back to her strength and ability (and) also looking for her to be a key player in some other positions as well.”
Catholic’s lineup will be led by Galligos and Taryn Stuhlsatz. Stuhlsatz topped the Irish with a .413 batting average a year ago, while. Galligos hit .360.
“We are expecting those two to step up and be our leaders,” Orr said. “We have put on a few hitting open gyms, and we have seen so many possibilities with every single girl on our team. We are expecting Jayln Smith, Carleigh Russell, and Makenna Phipps to grow and shine this season as well.”
Other players of note include Sophia Brink, Averie Keelings, Ella Weiss and Lauren Micka, Peyton Sachse, Caroline Nelson, Abby Neville and Addison Cronkhite.
“We believe our infield will be strong and (will) have great chemistry,” Orr said. “We are expecting them to have the pitching staff’s back (by) getting their job done out on the field.”
Senior Sarah Stokes is expected to patrol center field.
“We are expecting Sarah to step up and be a leader in the outfield and find her voice as a senior leader,” Orr said.
Orr looks forward to seeing the progress of her players.
“We believe that our culture as a team is going to hold strong through the season as well. The chemistry between the girls and coaches has been nothing short (of) immaculate,” she said. “We are wanting to make strides on our record from last season, but are also expecting the girls to push themselves to be the best version of themselves on and off the field every single day.”
