By Chris Parker
Wheatland softball returns four starters from last season’s 23-win team that went undefeated in the Polk County League.
One of those starters returns to the most important position in the center circle. Junior Jaycee Dampier threw 156 innings with 92 strikeouts and a 3.41 ERA. She was 21-6 overall. At the plate, Dampier hit .382 with 20 runs scored, 25 RBI and a 1.003 OPS.
Fellow junior Charley Crouch and freshman Mariah Box also will look for time in the circle.
Crouch threw the only 11 1/3 innings that Dampier did not last season. She was strong at the plate hitting .405 with 27 runs scored and 26 RBI.
Box and Kate Murphy (sophomore) will both likely see significant time catching. They will play on the left side of the infield when not catching.
Look for Macy Pearson (junior), Clover Rusk (freshman) and Dampier at first base. Ally Sawyer (freshman) and Jayla Wilkerson (sophomore) are the likely factors at second base. Shortstop will feature a combination of Crouch, Box and Murphy.
Box, Emma Almond (freshman) and Harlee Jones (freshman) are vying for time at third base.
The outfield will feature a combination of Hannah Claunch, Pearson and Shelby Shaddox along with Wilkerson, Almond, Seeley Walker (freshman), Jayden Keele (freshman) and Caidy Whittle (freshman).
Claunch played in all 30 games last season, hitting .352 with 17 runs scored and 18 RBI.
Head coach Pat Dougherty pointed to Claunch, Dampier, Crouch and Pearson as key leaders for the team.
“This is a good group of upperclassmen that will have big shoes to fill, but they are more than capable of leading the team,” Dougherty said. “They are positive and encouraging with their teammates, along with leading by example with hustle. We will also lean on this group for production in all 3 phases; pitching, offense and defense.”
Murphy, Shaddox and Wilkerson will all have expanded roles after strong off-season improvements.
“They have all made big strides in the offseason, especially at the plate,” Dougherty said. “We look for these three to play a big role in our offensive production this year.”
A large freshman class will provide competition for returning players for playing time.
“We have eight freshmen. That is a huge class for us,” Dougerty said. “They are hungry and are going to work hard. We also have three sophomores returning that are ready to have a big season. With so many young girls fighting for playing time, we should have some of the most competitive practices that we’ve had for a while. The competition should help motivate everyone and help them push each other to improve every day.”
Wheatland opens the season Aug. 30-31 at the Humansville Tournament.
“We expect to be competitive,” Dougherty said. “We are very young and inexperienced, but we will work hard and we have some talented players. You’re never sure how it will all play out in wins and losses, but we will continue to get better throughout the season and hopefully will be playing our best softball in October.”
