By Chris Parker
Joplin softball will get leadership from all grades this year, as the Lady Eagles look to get back to double-digit wins for the first time since 2016.
“We have Madisyn Tracy (senior infielder), Izzy Yust (junior infielder), Jill McDaniel (junior pitcher) and Bailey Ledford (soph infielder) (as leaders),” Joplin head coach Emmanual Flores said. “Madi brings senior leadership and a genuine passion to play softball hard. She has the ability to hold her teammates accountable because she holds herself accountable. Izzy will be our quiet leader. She does everything the right way and leads by example both on and off the field. Jill is our leader in the circle. When she’s pitching she gives the girls confidence behind her to get the job done. Bailey plays the game hard. She can energize everyone on the team by doing the dirty work and is a fun player to watch.”
McDaniel will be the team’s most experienced pitcher.
“When she (McDaniel) commands the zone she can be one of the tougher pitchers in our area to face,” Flores said.
Tracy, Jadyn Pankow (freshman) and Payton Jones (sophomore) will also look for time at pitcher.
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Liz Snider (senior), Kirsten McMillin (sophomore) and Riley Kelly (freshman) are all in the mix for time at catcher. Snider brings back the most experience. Snider was an honorable mention all-conference selection last year.
Around the infield, Joplin will have Ledford at third base, Trace at first base and junior Izzy Yust at shortstop. Second base could see senior Ryleigh Surridge or some younger players. Yust was a second-team all-conference selection last year. Ledford earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a freshman.
The outfield will feature Hope Oakley (junior left field), Abigail Lowry (freshman center field), Pankow (freshman right field) and sophomore Ashley Phillips who can play all three spots.
All of these options will give Flores options when filling out his lineup card.
“I think our lineup has the potential to be as deep as we have ever had since I’ve been at Joplin. We are going to be able to put pressure on defenses in multiple ways. I think we also have the chance to be more athletic and will have more depth to give us more options as games advance,” Flores said.
Defense and throwing strikes will be key for Joplin.
“Our team defense and throwing more strikes in the circle will be the two biggest areas we need to improve on,” Flores said. “If we can limit the amount of free bases other teams have we will have the chance to be very successful as a team this year and I do see us making big strides in both areas this year.”
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Joplin will travel to Carthage for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with Neosho, Carl Junction and the host Lady Tigers. The Lady Eagles open the season on Sept. 2 at home against Cassville.
“I think we have the opportunity to be very successful as a team this year. We will have a great blend of experience and youth on our roster that will be very fun to watch this year and I just can’t wait to see these ladies get after it come August,” Flores said. “A big reason is because of the work I see us putting in in the off-season to get better. From playing other sports, to the weight room, to playing more competitive softball these girls have put themselves in a great position and I’m proud of them for taking the offseason seriously.”
