By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
“This upcoming season, we are really looking to our seniors to lead the team,” said Allyson Stolte, who returns for her second year leading the Lady Indians following an 11-win season. “Our seniors are doing a great job of helping the younger girls out and making sure they set the tone for the season.”
Seneca’s crew of ten features eight returners from last year, each who received a varsity letter, and two new members.
Senior Callie Rhoades will serve as the team’s main pitcher. “She didn’t pitch a lot for us last season, but she does a good job in the circle, getting route balls in play for us to make outs,” said Coach Stolte. The first team all-conference, all-district, and all-region infielder led the team in hitting last season and is expected to be a run-scorer once again. Rhoades also knocked in 33 RBIs and 23 runs scored.
“We will also look for Kahli Fields to start our offense again this season,” said Stolte. “She does a great job in the lead-off position to get us going. She scored 36 times last year, so if we can get her on base early in the game, we look to score her early. She also is a tremendous athlete in the outfield. A ball up in the air, she’s going to go catch.” Kahli, a senior, earned academic all-state honors and first team all-conference and all-district awards as an outfielder last year, as well as second team all-region in the same position.
Makailey Mitchell (academic all-state second baseman) and Maddie Collinsworth (academic all-state outfielder) are also returning seniors. Mitchell “has shown great growth within this past year,” said Stolte. “She has stepped up in any role and position we have put her in and is willing to do whatever is best for her team.” Collinsworth “leads this team in a quiet manner,” per her coach. “She is a hard worker and is an athlete in the outfield. With her next to Kahli Fields in the outfield, there is not a ball that will drop.”
Junior Railee Davis (academic all-state) and sophomores Abby Stelts (academic all-state, first team all-district infielder and second team all-conference and all-region infielder), Kordy Hancock, and Keslee Platner (academic all-state) round out the returners.
Davis suffered an ACL injury last season. “She has worked so hard this offseason to get back to where she wants to be,” said Coach Stolte. “She is the best teammate and someone I’m so excited to have back on the field this year.”
Coach Stolte said she excited to see Stelts’ continued growth this season. “She is a threat in the lineup and has a great glove at first base.”
“Kordy Hancock is an absolute joy to have on the field,” said Stolte. “She is always working to get better and has grown so much as a shortstop. She will be a huge leader on our infield this year.”
Like Makailey Mitchell, Keslee Platner “has been everywhere on our field with no questions asked,” said Stolte. “She has played the infield, outfield, and this year will be behind the plate for us, giving Railee a break after a knee injury. She has worked hard at every position and is growing so much as an athlete every day.”
Newcomers Paris Denning, senior, and Jolie King, freshman, will also make an impact on the team.
“We are so excited to have Paris join this year and look forward to watching her grow on the softball field,” said Stolte, noting Denning took her junior season off from softball.
Even as a freshman, Jolie King is expected to be an asset on the infield. “She is such an athlete and after a year of working with her in junior high, I am so excited to see her continue to progress this upcoming season,” said Stolte.
“Our goals and expectations haven’t changed from last year. We are always striving to get better and to compete with all our opponents,” said Coach Stolte. “Having ten total girls is hard when we have long weeks, so we will be tired, but we have really focused this offseason on stamina and being healthy for our long season. We expect to play hard and to play with lots of intensity. We are simply going to have to outwork everyone together as a team.”
“Every girl knows their role on the team and how important doing their role is,” added Stolte. “This will be a complete team effort season. It takes all of us. We competed well in districts last year and the girls know we came up short from our goal. Their attitude towards wanting to win a district title hasn’t changed. That is still a huge goal for them, and this season will prepare us towards that goal.”
Seneca’s jamboree this year is at Monett on August 23 with Monett and Webb City. Their first home game is vs. Cassville on September 12.
