By Chris Parker
Liberal softball is poised for a big season with every starter back from last season’s 20-win team.
Bailey Couch, Jordan Goodell, Ellaina LaNear and Kyla Porter are the team’s leaders and Nos. 1-4 hitters in the Bulldog batting order.
Goodell was the WEMO Conference Player of the Year last season. She will return to the circle at pitcher after earning second-team all-state honors as a sophomore. Goodell threw 127 innings with 185 strikeouts and a 3.14 ERA. She also hit .433 with a 1.166 OPS and 35 runs scored and 35 runs driven in.
Porter and freshman Ava Garrett are also options at pitcher.
LaNear was an all-region catcher who returns for her senior year. She was all-state as a sophomore. She is a big power bat leading the team with seven home runs and 39 RBI last season while posting a 1.174 OPS.
“She keeps the running game at bay and does a great job with the pitchers and has a big bat too,” Liberal head coach Brandi Goodell said.
Freshman Sadie Meadows will serve as the backup.
Couch will anchor the infield defense at shortstop coming off a second-team all-state selection. She hit .456 with a team-high 1.316 OPS. She also led the team with 15 doubles adding in five triples and three home runs on her way to 57 runs scored.
Porter was an all-region infielder at first base. She hit .394 with a 1.164 OPS.
Laney Simpson will play third base and could see time at first base. Garrett will push for infield playing time. Kale Hatfield played a lot of second base last year on her way to all-region honors as a utility player.
The outfield will feature Taylor Swarnes and Gretchen Banes. Kale saw action out there last season. Katelyn Wallace also saw outfield action last season. Misty Dawn Johns, Hadlee Meadows and Kerrie Borghardt are also candidates for outfield time.
“I think the biggest thing will be our overall depth,” Coach Goodell said. “We have a lot of kids that are making a case to be in the lineup. I think our potential to have power at the plate is going to be a big strength for us as well. We look to have a very strong lineup. I think the experience to go with that depth will be a big key as well.”
Liberal opens the season Mar. 15-16 at the Joplin Area Tournament hosted by Purdy.
“The expectations are very high this season,” Coach Goodell said. “We were 20-12 overall with a pretty tough schedule. 18-1 in Class 1 with the lone loss in the district championship to Jasper. We definitely hope to improve on the overall record if possible. We might have a slow start since we are only going to maybe have one practice together before the jamboree.”
