By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Sure, the Camdenton softball program is moving to a new conference this fall — but the switch to the Central Missouri Activities Conference isn’t exactly a radical change.
With little turnover on their roster or schedule, the 2024 season is shaping up to be business as usual for the two-time defending district champions.
“I do not think it will be that big of an adjustment for us,” Camdenton coach Tyler Dinsdale said. “We are pretty centrally located, so we already play the majority of the CMAC teams.”
The only new conference opponents the Lakers didn’t play last fall are Hickman and Jefferson City. And the Lakers were able to add non-conference games with several former Ozark Conference opponents, so the schedule will look largely the same as it did a year ago.
So will the team’s lineup, as the Lakers return eight starters from the group that finished 22-15-1 and won the school’s fifth district championship since 2016.
“We usually played 10 each game so having that experience is going to be very helpful,” Dinsdale said. “Our girls are really team oriented and they all want to win so they will do what they all play the roles they asked to play to the best of their abilities.”
All that said, the Lakers are welcoming the chance to compete in a new conference.
“The CMAC is going to open up a lot of different opportunities for us (this) year,” Dinsdale said. “ It is a very solid conference from top to bottom, so we will have to be ready to bring our best every game.”
That starts with figuring out Camdenton’s ideal lineup.
Even though the team’s graduation losses were minimal, the Lakers could still see some returning players shift positions — or name some new full-time starters.
“We graduated two starters, one in the infield and one in the outfield so we have open positions,” Dinsdale said. “We also had a few girls last year who just hit or just played defense that are itching to get out and prove that they belong in the starting lineup. As far as competition for playing time goes, I think it only benefits our team. First off it means that we will have a lot of depth which will help us, and secondly the players respond well to it also, which will make them all better.”
The Lakers will have five seniors who could see the field this year — Cayden VonSande, Anna Lucas, Peyton Baker, Rylee Myer and Dakota Hawksley – helping form the most experienced roster in recent memory.
“This is our largest group of seniors that we have had in a very long time, so I am eager to see how these girls react to it being their senior year,” Dinsdale said. “I am also excited to see how these girls respond to our new conference play.”
VonSande and Lucas form the team’s pitching staff. Both were injured at various points last season, but combined to go 17-7 and strike out 149 batters while earning spots on the all-conference, all-district and all-region teams. VonSande also earned all-state honors.
They are now healthy and ready to build off their previous success.
“Both of these pitchers bring something very different to the mound, so we are able to adjust depending on which team we are playing,” Dinsdale said.
Baker, another all-conference, all-region and all-district pick, hit .436 last fall.
“She is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached and a team captain,” Dinsdale said. “Peyton had 41 RBIs for us last year, so our staff will be looking for her to provide some major pop in the middle of our lineup. Keeping her healthy will be important for us.”
Meyer, a two-year starter at third base, hit .357 and drove in 20 runs.
“We will look for Rylee to hold down third base and be an offensive leader for us,” Dinsdale said.
The Lakers also return five juniors – Kodi Stidham, Addi Baker, Ellie Moore, Ana Vogeler and Makenna Shear.
Stidham, a shortstop/catcher, is Camdenton’s top returning hitter. She batted .446 and drove in 34 runs as a sophomore, earning all-conference, all-district and all-region honors.
“Kodi is a two-year starter for us and has led our team in batting average each year,” Dinsdale said. “We will look for her to bat third or fourth for us and provide major power for our team.”
After playing left field last year, Addi Baker is a strong contender for the vacant centerfield job.
“Addi is a returning starter in the outfield and provides speed on the bases for us,” Dinsdale said.
Another returning outfielder, Moore could also play a new position this fall. She’s coming off an all-conference and all-district season in which she batted .356 and drove in 24 runs.
“She played right field for us last year and batted in the middle of our lineup,” Dinsdale said. “Ellie has a large skillset and might be called upon to pitch or play shortstop for us this year.”
Vogeler, who hit .341 last fall, can play all over the lineup.
“Ava is one who will be looking to get a more consistent starting role for us next year at either the infield or the outfield,” Dinsdale said.
Shear and Hawksley, the senior, performed well last fall.
“These girls are looking to get in the starting lineup on a more regular basis,” Dinsdale said. “They have mainly served as our pinch and courtesy runners, but are eager to show what they can do.”
Dinsdale said some sophomores and freshmen could also have an impact.
The Lakers will host Iberia, Smith-Cotton and Marshfield for an August 27 jamboree, then begin the regular season three days later at the Morrisville Tournament.
“I want our team identity to be scrappy” and team-first,” Dinsdale said. “I want other teams to think that they are not going to have an easy nor fun seven innings of softball. I want their pitchers to worry about all nine batters. I want their hitters to not look forward to facing our pitchers and I want the whole team to worry that our girls have one goal in mind and that they will do whatever is best for the team in order to achieve that goal.”
