By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One word can sum up the Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats’ goals for this fall.
Finish.
Logan-Rogersville isn’t satisfied with back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances.
That can happen when the teams who eliminated you – Helias Catholic in 2019 and Sullivan last year – end up winning state championships.
“We feel like we have unfinished business losing to the state champions the last two years in the quarterfinals,” said Wildcats coach Denny McHenry. “With all the experience we have back, we’re looking forward to making another run at the state playoffs.”
Logan-Rogersville’s equipped to make the third time the charm this fall.
The Lady Wildcats, who have never made the final four in softball, welcome back all but one starter from a 27-win team.
And the talent base is tremendous.
Five of the returning Lady Wildcats earned all-state honors in 2020: pitcher Halle Miles, infielder Cassidy Coambes, outfielder Meghan Hager, pitcher Jenna McKenzie and catcher Jenna Lane.
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Miles (P/IF) was the Big 8 Player of the Year and a first team all-state selection in Class 3.
In the circle, Miles went 15-4 overall with a 2.01 ERA, 145 strikeouts and just 23 walks in 104 innings pitched – as a sophomore.
She was also dominant at the plate, hitting .495 with 14 doubles, nine homers and 52 RBIs.
“Halle hits to all fields and can pitch with power or finesse,” McHenry said.
Coambes, a junior and third baseman, hit .420 with 12 doubles, six homers, 36 RBIs and 28 runs.
“Cassidy can hit to all fields and is the foundation of our infield,” McHenry said.
Hager, a senior centerfielder, joined Miles and Coambes on the Class 3 all-state first team.
The speedy Hager hit .417 with 17 steals, 38 runs and committed only one error in the outfield.
“Meghan helps set the table for our offense and she’s also a great defensive outfielder,” McHenry said.
McKenzie, like Miles, doubles as a pitcher and infielder.
McKenzie hit .349 with six doubles and 21 RBIs in her junior season. As a pitcher, McKenzie went 12-3 overall with a 2.56 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 13 walks in 84 innings.
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“Jenna’s a control pitcher who pitches to contact and also gives us another solid bat,” McHenry said.
Senior Jenna Lane has been a mainstay behind the plate since her freshman season.
As a junior, Lane batted leadoff and hit .387 with 13 doubles, two triples, two homers and 20 RBIs.
Two years ago as a sophomore, Lane had a memorable grand slam to help Logan-Rogersville rally and beat McDonald County 8-7 in the state sectional round.
While it’s nice to have five all-state players back, there’s always room to improve.
Logan-Rogersville finished 27-7 overall (its most wins in program history) last season and won a second straight district championship. The Lady Wildcats lost 4-0 to eventual state champion Sullivan in the quarterfinals.
“We’d like to think we can be better in all areas of our game,” McHenry said. “We’ll work hard at our base running in particular, as we feel this could have been better last year.”
A deep senior class gives the Lady Wildcats even more varsity experience.
Senior left fielder Ali Icenhower earned all-conference and all-region honors in 2020. She hit .347 with eight extra-base hits, 29 RBIs and 32 runs.
Another varsity veteran, Icenhower has built a reputation for coming up big in the clutch.
“Ali’s been a mainstay in the middle of our lineup,” McHenry said. “The bigger the situation, the more she thrives.”
Senior Grace Kirby returns at shortstop. She hit .319 with two homers and 18 RBIs last season.
“She’s really shown a lot of improvement in her game since last season,” McHenry said.
Second baseman Maddie Evans (four extra-base hits, 9 RBIs, 13 RBIs) and first baseman Kendall Meadors (one homer, 6 RBIs) are looking to make bigger contributions in their senior seasons.
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“They’ve really improved over the summer and put in the work to become better players,” McHenry said.
Rachel Bass (IF/OF) thrived in a courtesy-runner role last season. She was 19-for-20 in stolen base attempts.
For her junior season, Bass will convert to hitting left-handed.
“That should help us make (more) use of her speed,” McHenry said.
Emma Spurlin (six hits, seven RBIs) had a utility role (IF/OF) as a freshman thanks to her defensive ability.
Heading into 2021, the Lady Wildcats will have minimal roster turnover.
Logan-Rogersville graduated a lone starter in right fielder Jesse Jenkins. She hit .271 with 13 RBIs and 20 runs.
“Jesse was a very consistent player for us,” McHenry said.
Logan-Rogersville begins the regular season August 27-28 at the Sullivan Invitational.
The Lady Wildcats will host a jamboree with Kickapoo and McDonald County at 9 a.m. on August 21.
