By Chris Parker
Seneca softball has a new head coach in Allyson Stolte coming off a district championship season. This will be Stolte’s first head coaching job after previously coaching summer travel ball teams.
“I wanted a chance to take all of my experience and knowledge to a team that was willing to make some changes,” Stolte said. “Seneca took a chance on a young woman wanting to coach and for that I am forever grateful. As for the girls, the first time I met them, I saw their willingness to embrace the change that was coming and be excited for it. That made me excited to dive in and get to work with them.”
Five starters return from last season’s district championship team led by a pair of all-state selections in Abby Jamros and Callie Rhoades.
Jamros earned second-team all-state honors as a freshman pitcher.
“She (Jamros) throws it well. Not only does she have some zip to her, but she also moves it extremely well. She is also very aware of her pitches and body and that has created a good line of communication between her and I on what we want to throw that day,” Stolte said. “I would have to call Abby a competitor. She isn’t afraid to go right after a hitter, and she isn’t afraid to challenge herself or even me as a pitch caller. She wants to compete with the best hitters and works to be one of the best. She’s a competitor.”
Rhoades was also a second-team all-state selection. She will play third base in her junior season.
“From the get-go, Callie was one that I could tell was excited and ready to work. She has been very coachable this summer and worked hard to get better for our team. I have also been very impressed with her willingness to take the newbies coming in under her wing and help them as well as educate them with softball knowledge. It has been very impressive to watch as a coach,” Stolte said. “From the beginning, I pulled Callie aside and let her know my expectations of her early. As one of our older, returning infielders with the majority of our infield being new at times, I really need Callie to step up and be the leader defensively on the infield. She needs to be the communication leader, the accountable leader, as well as the effort leader. I am expecting her to help her teammates in a positive way as well as making sure she is holding her teammates accountable to being the best they can be.”
Kenzie French, Bailey Waddell and Kahli Fields give Seneca three more returning starters to lean on. Fields was a second-team all-conference outfield last year while French was honorable mention in the outfield for the conference.
Rhoades and junior Grace Elliot could also see time at pitcher when Jamros is not in the circle.
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Railee Davis will be behind the plate at catcher.
Joining Rhoades on the infield will be Kordy Hancock (freshman shortstop), Waddell (senior first base), Abby Stelts (freshman first base), Makailey Mitchell (junior second base) and Keslee Platner (freshman second base).
French (left field) and Fields (centerfield) will be joined by Maddie Collinsworth (sophomore right field) in the outfield.
“All of my girls have impressed me this offseason,” Stolte said. “They showed up every day willing to put in work and continued to get better this summer. One player who has really impressed me is Railee Davis, our sophomore catcher. She is stepping into a big role for us this season and has been excited to get better and put in the extra work.”
Stolte has put a focus on improving every facet of the game for the players.
“From the beginning, I have tried to instill doing the little things correctly and they have bought in,” Stolte said. “They are willing to listen, to learn, and to work hard to improve. I think if we can continue to work hard and get better, we will be just fine. Our goal will be to always outwork others, on and off the field.”
One tenet Stolte wants to instill is aggressiveness in all aspects of the game.
“I think our team as a whole could be more aggressive,” Stolte said. “Be more aggressive in the box, on the bases, and when playing defense. I want us to put pressure on teams as well as be able to make the tough plays because we went hard after a ball. We’ve got to run the bases correctly but also with a bit of urgency and hustle. If we can improve our aggressiveness, I think we can be a tough team to compete with.”
Seneca will travel to Webb City for a jamboree on Aug. 18 with the host Cardinals and Monett. The Indians open the regular season Aug. 28 at home against Neosho.
“(My expectations are) to build the right culture for our girls and team,” Stolte said. “Winning is great and everyone wants to improve their wins from the previous season, and as much as I would like to see that change, I also just want the girls to see their hard work pay off. I want them to feel safe and supported. If I can accomplish that in this season, that is a win for me.”
