By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Sydney Hill served as an assistant coach on last year’s 15-9 Lady Comets team and now returns to lead Marionville softball. Despite losing four to graduation, the team returns an experienced crew to work toward another winning season.
Coach Hill, an Evangel University softball alum, also welcomes Crane graduate Mackinzie Vickers in her first year as assistant coach.
Last year’s senior class signed three to play collegiate ball, and this year’s team features four who look to dominate their final season of high school softball.
Senior Maggie Murphy earned first team all-district and all-region honors with her .512 batting average, .565 on-base percentage, 42 hits, 15 stolen bases and 4 home runs. She also had a .975 fielding percentage with only two errors on the season.
“Maggie has been a starter since her freshman year and is a huge component of our team,” said Coach Hill. “Maggie is a consistent producer and always finds a way to get on base or to make a play. She may find herself in new positions this year. Traditionally, she is a shortstop, but with our senior class who graduated, we have some vital spots to fill.” Hill said there are a few position options this year, “but wherever she is placed, she will thrive. Maggie is one of those kids who is the ideal athlete to coach, always giving 100% to her team, and is the most coachable. We are ready for her best year yet.”
Brooklyn Holder, or “B.K.,” is a senior and the team’s “yes man,” per her coach. “Last year, I wanted to utilize her speed and teach her to slap,” said Hill. “She learned how to slap and was able to effectively use it in games to get on base and move runners. She has continued to develop that skill in the off-season.”
Holder’s stats include a .300 batting average, .800 fielding percentage, and 21 hits, and she was named to the all-district second team. “Her batting versatility will be crucial for our lineup this year,” said Coach Hill. “B.K. is a great team leader and always holds herself and others accountable. She is intense and has an insane work ethic. B.K. has played a few different positions for us and we will continue to see her being a utility again this year. She can do it all: outfield, pitch, and infield. B.K. is looking, and being recruited, to play collegiately and has a great future with the sport.”
Senior Hannah Oczkus is Marionville’s first baseman and will continue to lead in the infield this season. “Hannah put in consistent work in the off-season, being our most dedicated player,” said Hill. “Whenever that was an opportunity to get better, she was there. We expect great things again this year from Hannah as her leadership position will grow. We saw impressive fielding statistics last year and I know they will contribute greatly to our team this year. She did a great job fielding and picking balls at first.” Last season, Hannah’s fielding percentage was .960 with only three errors and she turned 5 double plays.
Anna Bright, senior, is a well-rounded and talented three-sport athlete. Last season’s stats included an .829 fielding percentage and 24 putouts with 5 assists. “Anna has played centerfield for us for the past couple of years and her role will be expanding this year,” said Coach Hill. “Anna will most likely split time between outfield and infield. She does a great job reading fly balls and going all out in the infield. I am confident to see her continue to grow throughout this season. She brings a positive attitude that is contagious with the rest of the girls on the team. Anna is highly respected, and we expect great things from her.”
Junior Annaliyah Ghan earned second team all-district honors in her sophomore season. Her stats include a .500 batting average, .556 on-base percentage, 36 hits, 1 homerun, 32 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases, as well as a .906 fielding percentage with 34 putouts. “Annaliyah is our leftie third baseman, which usually would propose natural disadvantages, but she is insanely talented in the position and her throwing preference has not been a problem,” said Hill. “She is swift and is naturally gifted with the ability to play softball. She is a crucial part of the team, leading the team in RBIs and stolen bases. Annaliyah is a versatile player who could play multiple positions, but we are confident she will continue to play third and do an excellent job there. Her batting is also impressive, she sees the ball well and can handle any speed and spin. She will continue to be a productive hitter this year. Annaliyah, like senior Anna Bright, brings a positive attitude that helps uplift the team. She is a servant leader who leads by example. We are excited to see what she will do this season.”
Sophomore Ashlin Carr earned varsity experience in her freshman campaign. “Last year, Ashlin was our backup pitcher behind an impressive Bailey Hosbach (now playing at South Western Community College in Iowa),” said Coach Hill. “She recorded impressive stats as a freshman pitcher.” These included 30.2 innings pitched, 44 strikeouts, a 3.888 ERA, 7 wins, and 1 loss. “She also played some outfield and a little infield at a few positions (.850 FP). She did exactly what the team needed when we needed it. She handled pressure well, and now being our starting pitcher, she will continue to prove how great of an athlete she is,” said Hill. “Ashlin has worked hard in the off-season to develop strong spin and increase her speed. We expect to see her hitting to become more productive and to be a key role player in our lineup this year. Although young, she will be a great leader this year with our already impressive upperclassmen.”
Coach Hill said her team has a goal of hitting a 20-win season. “Last year, we finished with a record of 15-9. Last year’s seniors will be missed this year since they were key players who developed this program a lot over their time with us. However, we have great players who are ready to step up and continue the tradition they started. Our upperclassmen are a great group who will lead the team effectively. We are looking to instill stronger mental toughness and remember what a blessing being able to play softball is. We have also been blessed with a brand-new turf field that is currently in construction and are excited to start playing on it later in the season. We are so thankful for the group of girls we have and are highly anticipating the season.”
The Lady Comets will jamboree in Mt. Vernon on March 17 with College Heights and Mt. Vernon. They host their home opener March 25 against Reeds Spring.
