By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Team: Monett Lady Cubs
Coach: Jami Bauer
2019 Results: 11-12 (Lost 2-1 to Seneca in Class 3 District 12 semifinals)
Opening Day 2020: Aug. 28 at Republic
If you took just a quick glance at Monett’s 2019 season, all you might notice is the program’s first sub-.500 record in over a decade. But that wouldn’t do it justice.
This was a team two years removed from a state championship in 2017 that still had players remaining from that title squad but was also cycling in the future of the strong Monett softball tradition. This was a team that was one run away from making a district championship appearance for the eighth time in nine years. And this was a team that was beginning a new regime under first-year head coach Jami Bauer.
“The team was very welcoming [during my first season as head coach], and I enjoyed working with hard-working players,” Bauer said. “I am excited to continue to grow and develop relationships with the team and am excited to watch all the success this year.”
The Lady Cubs kick off their season at another Southwest Missouri softball power in Republic on August 28. Monett’s non-conference schedule is a challenge every season—a strategy that aids in preparing this group for the Class 3 postseason year after year after year.
“Having the experience of playing in big games will only help us as we go through the season,” Bauer said. “Conference will be tough but I feel this year we can compete well with everyone in the Big 8 Conference and postseason.”
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Monett graduated some notable seniors, including Class 3 All-State selection Kaesha George, who finished her career among the program’s all-time leaders in runs (1st), batting average (2nd), and steals (2nd).
“Kaesha was a player who challenged herself with stats from the previous years,” Bauer said. “It will be tough to fill her shoes, but this year’s senior class will be great leaders and will have great accomplishments.”
Also gone are All-Big 8 selections Ashley Kurima (OF), Amberlynn Schmidly (C) and Kassie McCallister (P).
But coming back and leading this team in 2020 are two more All-Big 8 picks in senior infielders Abby McCaffrey (1B) and Taylor Southard (SS).
Southard hit .314 with seven runs and 10 RBIs in 2019. McCaffrey added 10 RBIs, 13 runs and six steals with a .203 average.
Monett will look to Caitlynn Calhoun to step into the No. 1 starting pitcher role with Kate Huntress moving in as starting catcher.
Calhoun was third on Monett in 2019 with 52.2 innings pitched in 2019, going 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while striking out 34 batters. She also led the Lady Cubs with three home runs, and her 15 runs are the most among returners.
Kailyn Cendroski and Molly Poole will platoon at third base. Ashtyn Blakely will fill into Kurima’s position in left field. Allyson Inman follows in George’s footsteps in center field. Jewelia Willoughby, Poole and Maddie Mettlach will compete for time in right field. And Kaily Cendroski and Jenna Hearald will split time at second base.
Of that group, only Inman (27 AB) saw more than 20 at-bats in 2019, hitting .259 with a pair of doubles.
Varsity newcomers include Jenna Herald (2B/P), Mettlach (LF/RF), Madison Portillo (DP/3B), Natalie Rivera (RF), Jadyen Hohensee (C), Jazmin Garrett (1B), Kendra Parsons (P/1B), Caitlyn Waterman (OF), Natalie Patino (OF) and Jaque Salas (OF).
“We are excited for this season to begin,” Bauer said. “I am looking forward to continuing the team’s tradition and working with a great group of girls. We feel that with the returning players we have, and some of the younger girls coming in, that we are going to be very competitive again.”
Like with nearly all teams in the region and the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the 2020 season.
“COVID-19 has made things different with sending workouts virtually and pushing back our league games,” Bauer said.
However, the Lady Cubs were still able to hold their team camp and play in summer league games in July.
Monett is currently scheduled to host its jamboree on August 21.
