By Chris Neyenhouse
Ash Grove returns most of their starters from a team that finished the season 17-12 for their third consecutive winning season..
Lady Pirates head coach Austin Tipton credits his battery, senior pitcher Meagan Hawkins and senior catcher Chelsye Graham, for powering the team.
“Meagan’s best attribute on the field is her competitiveness in the circle,” said Tipton. “Chelsye’s best attribute is her high IQ of the game.”
A pair of freshmen join Hawkins on the staff in Bristol Lathrop and Abby Stevens. A veteran-laden infield is behind her. Senior Ashlyn Gerla will play shortstop, senior Maddi Grube at second base, junior Myah Johnson at first base and senior Sway Kenney at third base.
Senior Madison Lutz patrols center field, junior Marissa Andrus is in right field, and left field will be where the major position battle lies. Multiple freshmen including Lathrop, Stevens, Aubrie Gerla, and Samantha Schindler are fighting for time there.
“Our fielding was our downfall last season,” Tipton said. “We are hoping to improve our mental toughness in the field this year and not compound mistakes this season.”
Millison Sapp and Kaitlyn Stafford will be in the mix for playing time as well. Coach Tipton is impressed with the work his team has put in.
“Senior Sway Kenney has worked hard in the weight room which seems to have helped her at the plate,” he said. “A lot of our freshmen have grown in confidence. We had a lot of players working hard in the cages over the winter as well.”
That hard work has Tipton thinking offense won’t be a problem for his team.
“Our hitting is our strength as a team,” he said. “We were very solid at the plate as a whole. We have some production from the team that we graduated this past year but I am confident that the newcomers will carry over the success we had.”
Ash Grove opens the regular season March 15-16 at the Joplin Area Tournament hosted by Purdy.
