By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
A senior-dominated Strafford squad with standouts in catcher Evelyn Comstock and shortstop Lauren Jones has the Lady Indians excited for this spring.
Both Cornstock and Jones were Class 2 All-State Second-Team selections a year ago.
“Evelyn has been a great player for us for the past three seasons,” coach Dale Bean said. “She is always looking to grow as a softball player and has a lot of passion for the game and the Strafford softball program. We are looking forward to Evelyn playing hard, as she always does every game, swinging the bat with confidence, bringing a fearless attitude to every game and letting her experience and great softball instincts lead the way for her.
“Lauren has great speed and athleticism,” Bean added. “She has been one of the best defensive shortstops in the area for the past couple of years and last year showed a new level of her game by stealing 25 bases. Lauren has great bat speed at the plate and isn’t afraid to go up against anybody in the league. She has put together two great careers on the basketball court and softball field, and we are excited to see what her final softball season brings.”
Strafford has five seniors and one junior with starting experience.
“We are looking forward to fielding most girls who have good experience in some very important positions,” Bean said.
Pitcher Natalie Gannon returns after she posted a 14-9 W-L record, 3.43 ERA, 98 strikeouts and 50 walks over 134 innings. She was an All Mid-Lakes First-Team pick.
“Natalie was pitching through some lingering injuries for a lot of the 2023 season,” Bean said. “We are hoping some of those nagging injuries are in the past and she will be able to compete at full strength during the entire season this year and finish her softball career with a strong season.”
Elsewhere around the infield Strafford will have Mya Highfill at third base, Kayleigh Lexa at second base and Karsen Comstock at first base.
Last season, the Lady Indians boasted a .910 fielding percentage.
“I’m looking forward to what our defense can do this season,” Bean said. “By returning most of our positional players and an added year of experience under our belt, I feel confident we will be able to field the ball well all year long.”
“Mya has great hands and gained more confidence at the hot corner last year,” he added. “We are looking for her to be confident and trust her natural ability. Kayleigh started every game at second last year as a freshman. She has great athleticism and a very strong arm. She is still learning how to manage things at her position consistently but has great upside. Karson has the natural ability that makes her a great option at first. I’m looking forward to seeing how her season plays out.”
The outfield will be led in center field by Ally Rust,
“Ally has great speed and athleticism and can close on a ball fast,” Bean said, “She will do a great job leading our outfielders.”
Presley McCain will move from right field to left.
“Presley has a great arm and great closing speed as well,” Bean said. “Ally and Presley complement each other in the outfield, and we are confident that they will handle their positions great.
“Right field will be a position that we will have to take a close look at through the first few weeks of the season,” he added. “We have some great options to put in that position, with some girls who are going to have some great upside. Our coaching staff will be looking for a girl who is confident, consistent and able to handle the task that the position requires. It will be a position that will see a few girls as the season progresses.”
Strafford’s 16-10 season a year ago saw the Lady Indians average seven runs a game, down from 8.3 the year before.
“We have the potential to be able to generate good, competitive at-bats,” Bean said. “However, we have to be better offensively this season than in the past. We are going to look to simplify things offensively and aim to put the ball in play and make solid consistent contact.”
This may be the first season since 2018 that Strafford won’t start a freshman on opening day.
“That isn’t a knock on my freshmen, because I do have some solid up-and-comers,” Bean said. “But we have a strong senior class and sophomore class that will give us good depth and playing experience.”
Kenna Munhollon, Fabian Carney, Sarah Canales, Macy Morton and Dalyce Scrivener provide depth for Strafford and are future players to keep an eye on.
Strafford opens its season March 15 versus Buffalo, before hosting its own tournament and then taking part in the Mt. Vernon Tournament.
“Always looking forward to playing in the Mt. Vernon Tournament,” Bean said. “There is always good competition and there seems to be a state championship team in it every year. Games against Fair Grove, Skyline, Diamond, and Mt. Vernon have always proved to be top-10 matchups in the past few seasons.”
