MSHSAA announced on Monday, Mar. 16 that they would not be cancelling spring sports due to the Coronavirus. There will be delays to the start of the season and you can read the full MSHSAA release on spring sports by clicking here. Many area schools have called off classes and extracurricular activities through at least Apr. 3 and will reassess at that time. We will continue to post our spring previews. Please note that this preview was written before delays for the spring season were announced.
By Chris Parker
Mountain Grove softball has been one of the most consistent programs in the area over the past five seasons with five consecutive 13-win seasons including last year’s 13-7 finish.
The Lady Panthers will have to replace the production of first-team all-state selection Tommi Gardner.
Two players coach Lori Hyde expects to be leaders this year are Lorna Felker and Kennason Glenn. Felker was a first-team all-district selection on the infield last year while Glenn earned second-team honors in the outfield.
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“Lorna and Kennason will have to step up as vocal leaders,” Hyde said. “Our juniors need to lead by example because we have several young players coming up. We are a young team. The upperclassmen will have to create the chemistry needed for this team to gel together. They need to set the example for the future players.”
Finding offensive production will be a key for this year’s success.
“We lost several seniors which produced most of our offense. We will have to figure out how we are going to produce runs and who is going to step up at the plate,” Hyde said.
