By Chris Parker
Five starters return for a Thayer softball team that won 14 games last season, which was the most since the program moved to spring softball.
Gracyn Rouse returns to the circle at pitcher. She is a three-year starter who posted a 4.86 ERA with 104 strikeouts last season. She is a two-time All-SCA and all-district honoree along with earning all-region honors last season.
Freshman McKenzie Morris will also see time pitching.
“We look for (Rouse) to continue to contribute in her senior season with the help of freshmen McKenzie Morris,” Thayer head coach Denny Young said. “For the first time in the past three years, Gracyn will be able to have some help in the circle as she has had to pitch almost every single pitch thrown for us. McKenzie is a great pitcher that had a really strong junior high campaign. McKenzie is no stranger to the game as she has played travel softball at an extremely high level for the past five years. There is no doubt that she will be in the rotation on a regular basis. She has great velocity and several different pitches to rely on. We look for big things out of her in the future as well as this year. I look forward to having multiple pitchers this year; it’s something we haven’t had at Thayer in several years.”
Junior Kadyn Hilles returns behind the plate at catcher coming off all-conference and all-district honors. Transfer sophomore Brette Tharp will also see innings catching.
Senior Ashlee Jackson is a three-time all-conference and all-district honoree returning at shortstop. Savannah Jackson (junior) has been a two-year starter at second base. Third baseman Kalie Meirer (junior) also returns. Savannah Wheeler (senior) and Hattie Haynes (sophomore) will look for time on the infield as well.
The outfield will be all new this season. Hilles, Rouse and Haynes are all possibilities in the outfield.
Young is looking for Rouse and Jackson along with Morris to be team leaders.
“Graycn Rouse and Ashlee Jackson is who we will look to be our leaders this year,” Young said. “Both of these girls are four-year starters and high expectations for this team this year. We will also lean on newcomer freshmen Mckenzie Morris. She brings a ton of softball experience with her this season.”
Thayer opens the season on Mar. 22 at the Cabool Softball Classic.
“(We want to be) tough-nosed defensively and unselfish at the plate being able to do what’s needed to make sure the next person in the lineup has a chance to make something happen,” Young said. “I expect us to be much improved from last year and make a run at an SCA and district championship.”
