By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Having already gained a state championship in track, Carl Junction’s Madi Olds will strive to help the Lady Bulldogs capture the inaugural Ozark Mountain Conference championship.
Olds, who won the Class 4 state title in the javelin last spring, returns for her senior season established as one of SWMO’s premier catchers. She hit .423 with three home runs and 33 RBIs a year ago.
“Madi’s leadership is what gets this team going and she does it with her play on the field,” Carl Junction first-year coach Cory Kerbs said. “She will anchor our defense behind the plate and move around the infield as needed.”
Olds is one of four returning Lady Bulldogs starters who hit .300-plus last season, when Carl Junction put up an average of 7.2 runs a game.
“I’m very optimistic about the potential to put up seven or more runs a game again this year,” Kerbs said. “We’ve swung the bat very well this summer, and if we stay committed to our approach, I believe our offense can be strong again. We’re returning most of the firepower in the middle of the lineup, some of which are young with a full varsity season now under their belts, and our staff is committed to helping our hitters grow and progress their game to the next level.”
In addition to Olds, the returning firepower includes juniors Kiley Spencer and Ryleigh Palmer and sophomore Kady Hunt. Last season, Spencer hit .367 with two home runs and 24 RBIs, Palmer batted .366 with 26 RBIs and Hunt hit .333 with three home runs and 27 RBIs.
“Kiley is a weapon that can be put anywhere on the diamond defensively, but also threw 113 innings last season and will spend a good amount of time on the mound,” Kerbs said. “Ryleigh helps lead us defensively in the outfield and is another steady presence at the plate. Kady Hunt is an absolute game changer. She covers an incredible amount of ground at shortstop, can relieve some innings behind the plate, and swings the bat with power. Kady has a steady presence about her that is a testament to the work she puts in when no one is around.”
Sophomore outfielder Kinley Spindler returns as Carl Junction’s leadoff hitter.
“Kinley provides tremendous speed and the ability to be a great table setter,” Kerbs said.
Spencer threw 113 innings a year ago and Hannah Cole threw 64. They’ll be Carl Junction’s primary pitchers again.
“I can easily foresee a scenario where these two chew up most, if not all the innings again this season,” Kerbs said. “However, freshmen Kenleigh Palmer and Sydney Weidenhammer also look to compete for some time inside the circle.”
Kerbs wants his pitchers to be throwing strikes.
“Our biggest areas of improvement this offseason have been centered around first-pitch strikes, locating two pitches extremely well and competing down in the zone,” he said. “Our pitchers are going to have to commit to learning the art of pitching–commanding the zone, changing speeds, and continually changing the eye level of the hitter. We must compete down in the zone to miss barrels, while limiting freebies to a minimum. We’ve pushed our pitchers this summer and they’ve responded with positive attitudes and have really committed themselves to extra time throwing bullpens.”
Carl Junction was 11-7 in the 18 games last season the Lady Bulldogs enjoyed at least one inning that they saw scored three runs or more. But they gave up an average of 8.9 runs a game.
“As a pitching staff, we don’t want to get in shootouts and rely on our offense to score more runs than our opponent,” Kerbs said. “We have solid defenders behind us that are more than capable of making routine plays. The games we lost last year show that, despite the ability to produce a big inning ourselves, we gave up big innings to the opposing team.
“While we can score runs offensively in a hurry, we’re going to have to find ways to not allow opponents to do the same,” he added. “I believe that starts with making opponents hit their way on, playing error-free softball behind our pitcher, and committing ourselves to the defensive side of the ball in practice.”
Carl Junction will also be counting on contributions from seniors Georgia Arnold, Alivia Haase and Taylor Sassin, juniors Addy Purvis, Makinze Sasser and Kaylee Crow, sophomore Jazmyne Blaney and freshmen Gracie Arnold, Sydney Weidenhammer, Jillian Shrum and Briley Farris.
“Alivia is looking to anchor down a corner outfield spot with her speed,” Kerbs said. “Addy is returning to the diamond following a few years off. She will be competing for a corner infield position and we’re certainly excited about both of them. Jazmyne has tremendous speed. She provides versatility that can be useful. Taylor and Kaylee are competing for spots in the infield, as well. Gracie has opened some eyes this summer and is knocking on the door for a starting position.”
Kerbs would love to see the Lady Bulldogs emerge as the inaugural Ozark Mountain Conference champions.
“Our girls, my staff, and I are excited about the opportunity that lies ahead in this conference change,” he said. “I look forward to building new rivalries and new relationships along the way. While we’ll be on a more level playing field in terms of class sizes, it’s still not going to be an easy task finishing at the top. This is going to be a competitive conference from top to bottom, and I anticipate that each game will be battle tested. To come out on top of the conference, it’s going to take a tremendous amount of leadership, determination, and team chemistry.
“I hope our girls have an OMC championship as a team goal because I know it is one of mine,” he added. “Having been a part of two COC championships with the CJ girls basketball team, I know that achieving that feat is no easy task. We’d love to send our seniors out on a high note as a tribute to and acknowledgement of the hard work they have put in over the past few years.”
Carl Junction will jamboree at Carthage, with the host Lady Tigers, Joplin and Nevada on August 27. The Lady Bulldogs open at the Aurora Houn’ Dawg Classic August 30-31.
