By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
With 11 district championships and six Final Four trips in the past 15 seasons, there’s no question that Webb City has been one of the region’s most competitive softball programs.
This season, some of Webb City’s hardest-fought battles could happen during the preseason.
The Cardinals graduated all but one starter from the 2021 team that reached the state quarterfinals, ensuring there will be plenty of competition for starting jobs and playing time this fall.
“I think this group is eager to compete at all levels,” coach Shauna Friend said. “They have a strong work ethic and never-quit attitude. We will definitely be a younger team, but I feel like we have a lot of depth at each position.”
That depth will be key for a team that will need to overcome the departure of its deepest senior class in recent memory. Not only did the Cardinals graduate nine seniors – the most in any year since at least 2014 – seven of them earned some form of postseason honors.
That includes three former all-state selections in Emma Welch, Kaylynn Gilbert and two-time honoree Peyton Hawkins, who is continuing her career at Missouri Southern State University. Lauren Hicks, Emalee Lamar, Hannah Wells, Morgan Brannon and Ripley Shanks also graduated.
Together, the eight players accounted for 88 percent of Webb City’s hits, 93 percent of its runs batted in and 82 percent of the team’s 205 runs scored. Not to mention countless stellar defensive plays, as seniors held all the starting fielding positions but pitcher.
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“There are definitely a lot of unanswered questions this season,” Friend said. “With so many spots in the lineup up for grabs, it will be exciting to have so many talented players competing for those positions. I anticipate a fairly large varsity squad this year with opportunities for several players to fill different roles – starting lineup, pinch running, pinch hitting, relief pitchers/players. I want our team to be one that every player is willing to do whatever it takes to make this team successful.”
There’s one returning player who played a key role in Webb City’s success last year — sophomore pitcher Laney Taylor. She threw 148.1 innings in her first varsity season, which represented more than 78 percent of the team’s total innings pitched, and finished 13-12 with a 4.15 earned run average. Those numbers earned her a spot on the all-district team.
“Laney came in and did everything we asked of her and more,” Friend said. “She pitched many mentally and physically tough games and had a fantastic season. She had nine seniors encouraging, supporting and depending on her — which was a lot of pressure — but she handled it very well and went out determined to give her best every game.”
Returning sophomore Addie Brown and incoming freshmen Karsyn Cahoon, Jo Jarmin, and Kenzie Wynn will give the Cardinals four different options for relievers or spot starters.
“It will be nice to have more pitchers to share the duties this year,” Friend said. “They have all worked hard this summer to continue to improve and develop speed, command and pitches.”
Offensively, the team’s most experienced returner is junior Dawsyn Decker, who is one of four players in the mix to be the starting catcher.
“Last season, she played some outfield for us and had 60 at bats,” Friend said. “She was consistent, hit .317 and came through with a big hit in the district championship game as a pinch hitter. She should be a strong leader for us defensively and offensively.”
Decker and fellow catching hopefuls Rylynn McFarland (sophomore), Liz Rhuems (freshman) and Kylee Sargent (freshman) can all play multiple positions and may land elsewhere as the Cardinals craft an all-new batting order and defensive alignment.
Freshman Alex Maturino is another utility player whose versatility and impressive bat could secure a starting job.
“The lineup is wide open,” Friend said. “Excited to see who will step up to fill some of those senior vacancies.”
Infielder Jensyn Pickett and outfielder Sydney Strickland have traveled with the varsity club for the past two seasons and will look to become everyday players during their junior campaigns.
“The experience of being involved in the postseason will be beneficial this year as they compete for a starting varsity role,” Friend said.
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Junior Rilley Hanes, sophomore Kaitlin Brown, and freshman Lily Hall will also battle for time.
“We have a lot of girls in this area that start playing this sport competitively at an early age which is a huge benefit by the time they reach high school,” Friend said. “We also have always had high expectations for them and have players with outstanding work ethic and a desire to compete.”
Each of Webb City’s past two seasons have ended with one-run, extra-inning losses after deep playoff runs. Webster Groves beat them 5-4 in eight innings to win the 2020 state title, then eventual runner-up Rolla beat them 10-9 in a wild nine-inning quarterfinal last year.
The Cardinals overcame a pair of three-run deficits to take the Bulldogs to extra innings, but fell behind 10-7 in the ninth. They fell just short of completing a third comeback, finishing 17-13.
The team found solace in winning a third straight district title, and hopes to extend that streak this fall.
“No one is ever satisfied unless you finish the season with a win,” Friend said. “We had five starters coming back from the 2020 team with substantial varsity experience and an incoming freshman pitcher. We knew we would have some ups and downs throughout the season but were hopeful that all the pieces would fit together by districts — and they did. We had so many great defensive plays in the district tournament and championship that kept us alive. Our defense really got behind our freshman pitcher and had that never-give-up attitude to go win that title.”
Webb City will travel to Seneca for an August 19 jamboree. Monett will be the third participant.
The Cardinals are scheduled to begin the regular season with an August 29 visit to Nevada.
Their home opener is one day later against Wyandotte (Oklahoma), while their first Central Ozark Conference game of the season is scheduled for September 6 at Carl Junction.
“I want the opposing team to know that we will never give up and will be in attack mode from the first pitch to the last at bat,” Friend said. “That might look like diving defensive plays, aggressive baserunning, putting pressure on the defense at all times and constant teammate support.”
