By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
There’s no shortage of pitching for McDonald County, as the Lady Mustangs look to bounce back from a rare losing season.
With McDonald County coming off its first losing season in 14 years, coach Heath Alumbaugh has a slew of pitchers he will be able to choose from. The Lady Mustangs feature Joslyn Royce, Jaylee Brock, Carlie Martin, Dakota O’Brien and Mallory Williams in the center circle.
O’Brien pitched a team-high 79 innings last year, while Brock threw 55.
“We have a staff (of pitchers) all capable of throwing strikes and getting outs,” Alumbaugh said. “All of them provide something very different in the circle and could all provide a lot of innings for us.”
O’Brien, Brock and Royce are among five returning starters.
Catcher Kearston Hopkins shined as a freshman a year ago, when she posted a team-high .471 batting average, with a pair of home runs, 26 RBIs and 22 runs scored.
“Kearston is a staple behind the plate for us,” Alumbaugh said. “She provides both speed and power.”
O’Brien also was a freshman phenom. She batted .357 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. She is a middle infielder when not pitching.
Brock, who is at first base when not pitching, hit .338 a year ago.
Also back are outfielder Anissa Ramriez, who hit .304 last season, and Royce, who will play in the outfield when not pitching.
Alumbaugh feels good about his team’s defense both around the infield and outfield.
“Our infield has the opportunity to be very good defensively,” he said. “We have depth at all four infield positions, with plenty of experience and very competitive freshmen in competition for a spot. Our outfield has the potential to showcase speed and great arm strength. They are anchored by a pair of seniors and also (features) competitive younger players.”
Last season, McDonald County scored an average of 7.7 runs a game, up from its norm of 5.7 two years ago when the Lady Mustangs won 23 games.
Alumbaugh thinks the offense will remain strong.
“We have the ability offensively to have speed when we need as well as power to drive in the speed on the base paths,” he said.
Alumbaugh is hopeful his team can be a contender in the Big 8 Conference.
“As long as we continue to work and develop throughout the season, we have a chance to be very competitive within the Big 8 and possibly compete for a conference championship,” he said.
McDonald County will jamboree at Rogersville on Aug. 23rd. The Lady Mustangs will have a new tourney stop while competing in the Joplin Tournament and will return to the Central Missouri State Tournament after a one-year hiatus.
