By Chris Parker
Mansfield softball is looking for a big spring after showing improvement across the roster over the off-season.
“We have improved drastically this summer as a team,” Mansfield head coach Hannah Campbell said. “We have been working on individual skills over the winter, and we are excited to put those skills into game situations this spring.”
Over half of last season’s starters return. Among the key returning players are Laikyn Ball (senior), Kiersten Garrison (senior), Charleigh Clark (senior), Addison Jones (junior), Madisyn Bennett (junior), Brooklyn Dugger (junior), Cayley Young (junior) and Mylee Sullivan (sophomore).
Campbell on Ball:” Laikyn Ball is an all-around athlete and one of our senior leaders. She will be called upon to play several different positions this year. She led the team last year with a .458 batting average. She is fast and is always a tough out for other teams when she is on the bases.:
Campbell on Garrison: “Kiersten Garrison played left field for us last year but will look to help us out in the infield and could also see some outfield time. She is one of our senior leaders and will be looked upon to step up offensively and defensively.”
Campbell on Clark: “Charleigh Clark will look to be a vocal leader on and off the field. She had some big moments at the plate last year and will look to build upon that as a senior.”
Campbell on Jones: “Addison Jones is one of the most dynamic players in the area. She can play anywhere on the field but her main focus this year will be to lead her team on the mound and has shown she has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the area. She is a power hitter who it .446 last spring and will cause havoc on the basepaths.”
Campbell on Bennett: “Madisyn Bennett was one of the most improved players on last year’s squad. She ended the year as one of our best outfielders.”
Campbell on Dugger: “Brooklyn Dugger showed big improvements as a sophomore and will look to improve at the plate (hit .390 last spring) and at first base. She ended the year as an all-district player.”
Campbell on Young: “Cayley Young was one of our most consistent hitters last year and has worked hard over the offseason to drastically improve her swing.”
Campbell on Sullivan: “Mylee Sullivan split time between third base and short stop last year as a freshman and will be called upon to step up offensively and defensively this year.”
The seniors will be team leaders according to Campbell.
“Our seniors are a solid group of kids,” Campbell said. “They are leaders on and off the field and they are a group that the underclassman look up to and respect. This is one of the reasons why this group gets along so well which will help us find success throughout the season.”
Junior Emma Matney and freshman Kayley Kingery are newcomers to watch.
Campbell on Matney: “Emma Matney moved from Dora and will look to make an impact in the outfield. She has been hard at work in the offseason improving her swing.”
Campbell on Kingery: “Kayley Kingery has the potential to be one of the top freshmen in the area. She is fast, athletic, and can hit the ball. She will be looked upon to step up in a big way this year.”
Jones will take over a bulk of the pitching duties, but Garrison and Dugger will also pitch.
The infield lineup will feature a combination of Ball, Garrison, Dugger, Jones, Young, Sullivan and Kingery.
Look for Bennett, Matney, Garrison, Young and Clark in the outfield.
Team chemistry for this group will be key for a successful season.
“The strength of our team will be that all of the girls get along,” Campbell said. “They encourage and cheer each other on and off the field. They work hard and want to become better softball players. I know that coming together as a team will help us compete and finish out games this year.”
Mansfield opens the season Mar. 21 at the Summit Conference Tournament at home.
“Our expectations are high this year,” Campbell said. “We lost two seniors but return over half of our starters from last year’s squad. Everyone is one year older and have matured as student athletes. We are looking to triple our wins from last year and play for a district championship. We were one game shy of reaching our goal of playing for a district championship, so I know this group is hungry and ready to step on the field to compete.”
