Strafford aims to continue girls’ sports success in softball

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After opening the 2015 season with a disappointing 3-7-1 record, Strafford put together a nine-game winning streak prior to being ousted by Marionville in the district semifinals. The loss ended the Lady Indians’ season at 12-8-1 in what was a transition year for the program, moving from playing in the fall to playing a spring season for the first time.
 
“We were a young team that had a new coach and just starting their first spring season for the program,” said second-year head coach Dale Bean. “We were a little behind from playing in the fall to sitting out the following fall and then starting in the spring. But as the season went on we began to play a lot better."
 
Last year’s finish sets the stage for a big spring this season, as the Lady Indians return several key players off of last year’s roster. However, the Lady Indians lost two seniors from last year’s team and two other starters who were not seniors, one due to an injury and another to further pursue volleyball. The two seniors lost to graduation included a first team all-conference second baseman in Maycee Holden, and right fielder Kyra Hokanson.


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While there is plenty of talent on the roster, five returnees figure to lead the Lady Indians this spring, led by sophomore centerfielder Presley Floyd, a first team All-Mid-Lakes selection as a freshman.
 
Sophomore pitcher while a pair of juniors will play key roles in catcher
 
A host of newcomers will see plenty of action for the Lady Indians, including freshmen sisters Hayley and Kayley Frank, who just led Strafford to a Class 3 state championship on the hardwood. Speaking of state championships, Rilie Vote will be joining the softball team this spring after helping lead Strafford to a state runner-up finish in volleyball in the fall.

As many as seven freshmen could contribute immediately for the Lady Indians. There could be some early growing pains for the Lady Indians, as five members of the state championship basketball team get acclimated to the diamond this spring.
 
"We are still going to need to start a few freshman in some key positions this year, as we did last year, which will always present growing pains along the way,” said Bean. “However, we are confident in whoever we put out there to be able to hold their own and to be playing at a high level at the end of the season. We may be hitting our stride a little later than others, but it is because of good things. We do have five girls who play both basketball and softball, so we have been cheering them on in their run for State…but we also cannot wait to get them on the softball field.” 

Staying healthy is a given for any team, but Strafford also will be looking to improve on its fundamentals, as well as the situational aspects of the game.
 
“We need to stay healthy most importantly,” said Bean. “I think the keys for success never change as far as the way we want to play year in and year out. You always want to go out and execute situations the game presents to you and do the little things right day in and day out, and as the season goes on every small success is a building block of a bigger finished project.

"We are athletic and we have some depth this season which will be a strength for us. However, we are still young all around with only one senior on the team, which means we are still learning the numerous different aspects of the game that only comes with time.”
 
Strafford's off to a 3-0 start, beating Conway 17-1, Pleasant Hope 5-1 and Stockton 6-2 over the last week.

Home games against Fair Grove (Apr. 4) and Mt. Vernon (Apr. 25) will have huge district seeding implications.
 
“We are excited to get started and see what this season has in store for us,” said Bean. “The girls have been working extremely hard and we are excited to see their hard work pay off.”

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