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 Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Crane Lady Pirates have been ready to get back on the softball field since the season ended last May.
It was last May when the Lady Pirates dropped a gut-wrencher to Purdy, 7-6, at the 2019 Class 1 District 9 Tournament.
Head coach Mike Morelock said losing four senior starters is tough, but a resilient returning core may be enough to combat such loss.
Pitcher Olivia Edwards was one of the aforementioned seniors, and she compiled an 18-5 record one year ago.
Other graduated players include Mackenzie Funcannon Megan Funcannon, and Katie Robinson.
“They all are going to be hard to replace,” said Morelock.
At the current time, Aubrey Chisam, a returning sophomore lettermen, is the No.1 pitcher slated to take to the circle this season, Morelock said.
“She is definitely who we are starting with, but we are going to have to figure that out. Everyone is going to be pitching from day one,” said Morelock.
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The Lady Pirates went 17-5 last season and return eight lettermen: senior Cassandra Luney (OF, Utility); juniors Celsie Killman (3B) and Chesney Essary (OF), and sophomores Danielle Cutbirth (SS), Lauren Akin (2B/OF), Gracie Brawley (OF/C), Emery Ellingsworth (1B/C/Utility); and Aubree Chisam (P/1B/OF).
The Southwest Central League has long since moved on from Clever and Forsyth, but Purdy, once again, will be looked upon as the lead dog.
Said Morelock: “The conference is going to be really tough this year. Purdy, of course, they only lost a couple of seniors. They are strong every year. They definitely would be the favorites to win our conference this year, but we will be able to compete.”
The Pirates’ landscape has officially entered into rebuilding mode this season, Morelock said, due to the loss of Edwards.
But, returning five sophomore lettermen is a nice luxury when — and if — the waters can become a bit choppy.
“They just love to play and are very, very talented,” Morelock said of his sophomore class.
One player to watch is Cutbirth, who blasted a .635 average while pounding out a 1.609 OPS.
Added Morelock: “We win that district game, and she probably is making a first team all-state selection.”
The experienced sophomore class is the table-setter this season, as the offense looks to expand on its collective .411 batting average.
“We just had some [freshmen] step up for us [last year],” added Morelock. “That is definitely our core group.”
Juniors include Killman and Essary, who are ready to break out, and Morelock said Luney — the lone senior — will be vital to the starting lineup.
“She contributed last year and I see her in the lineup consistently this year,” Morelock said of Luney.
The bulk of the roster also play volleyball and basketball — a common theme at Crane where multiple-sport athletes are the norm.
“By the time I get them, they are in pretty good shape,” Morelock said. “They have that tough mentality and just love softball.”
The added fire from last year’s early exit at districts has resonated over the offseason, and Morelock said he expects the individual and collective development to register at a new apex this spring.
After all, an extra-inning bloop single proved to the difference against Purdy.
Added Morelock: “Hopefully, they have thought a lot about it. As coaches, we think about those things a lot. It was a heartbreaker. That was a tough one to swallow. The [current] sophomores and juniors talked a lot about that.”
The team opens the season at home March 23 against Marionville.
