By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Plato coach Tyler Shalbot hopes his second go-around coaching softball this spring goes even a bit better than his first season a year ago.
After 16 years coaching baseball, Shalbot made the move to softball and led the Lady Eagles to a single-season school-record 20 wins, a third straight district championship and a Frisco League Tournament title.
“The transition from baseball to softball went really well,” Shalbot said. “Softball is a much faster game. I feel like with the bases being much closer, it is easier to use the running game and the bunting game. The girls took instruction well and really made the season a great one.”
Plato welcomes back six full-time starters. Senior first baseman Carli Cook and junior pitcher Taylor Utley lead the returnees.
Cook was a Class 1 All-State First-Team selection last season while topping Plato in most offensive categories, including a .427 batting average, 38 hits, 19 doubles, 34 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
Cook will be asked to close games as a relief pitcher for the first time.
Utley is coming off a sophomore season in which she pitched 145 of a possible 150 innings and was the winning pitcher in all 20 Plato wins. She struck out 148 and walked 29, while compiling a 2.89 ERA to earn a Class 1 All-State Second-Team selection.
At-bat, Utley hit .317 with 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
“We expect even more production out of her bat this spring and (for) her to be even better in the circle,” Shalbot said.
Third baseman Seirra Thompson, a senior, is fresh from hitting .354 with 34 runs scored and 22 RBIs.
“She did this despite breaking a bone in her hand about the 10th game into the season,” Shalbot said. “She has an above average arm. She might also do some catching this season. She is the vocal leader of the team, always encouraging her teammates to be the best they can be.”
Shortstop Makayla Fletcher, a senior, provides a nice combo of speed and power. Last season, she hit .301 with three home runs, 27 runs scored, 18 walks and 19 stolen bases.
“She swings it well, with good power,” Shalbot said. “Defensively she did a nice job (last year) with 42 assists on the year and only five errors. She will be another team leader who has a lot of experience and is excited for her senior season.”
Second baseman Presley Sigmon batted .412 with 33 hits, 36 runs scored and 18 stole bases as a freshman a year ago.
“Presley had a great freshman campaign. We are hoping she continues to hit like she did last season and improves at the plate and in the field,” Shalbot said.
Leanne Wolfe is back after hitting .325 with 22 runs and 15 RBIS.
“She was our DP last season and our jayvee catcher. This season she will be behind the plate and with her strong throwing arm should do a good job handling the running game,” Shalbot said.
Plato will also feature experienced players in outfielders Aspen Hazelwood and Raven Craddock.
Newcomers include Robbie Venker, Alexis McCulloch, Leah Collison, Haileigh Schroger, Estella Turner, Kaylee Miller, Maci Shalbot, Lilly Dilley and Marissa Drake.
Shalbot is hoping senior outfielder Taryne Scott can return from a torn ACL. She played in 14 games last season and hit .480 with 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
“If she is able to come back she will probably be limited to the DP position,” Shalbot said.
Shalbot is counting on Utley to again throw strikes and Plato’s defense to back her up.
“Last year we focused on limiting free bases — not walking people, and cutting down the errors,” he said. “We improved in both of those aspects. We also tried to be more aggressive on the base paths. We will focus on those things again this year and we hope to be even better than we were in 2024.”
Plato has its sights set on adding to its streak of district titles and earning a Class 1 state berth.
“Our goal as a team is to try and win our fourth straight district title and advance to the final four,” Shalbot said. “Our seniors have been beaten in the quarterfinal game the last two seasons. So (final four) is the goal.”
Plato will jamboree at Houston March 17 and will travel to Licking to try to repeat as Frisco League Tournament champs March 21-22. The Lady Eagles will have 15 home dates.
