Fall 2019 Preview: Buffalo Softball

By Chris Parker

Buffalo finished 9-11 last season with a district-opening loss to Bolivar. The Lady Bison are looking for their first season above .500 since 2013.

“This will be my third season at Buffalo and the past three summers we have stressed that our preseason and extra work we put in is what will ultimately put us where we need to be. The girls have rose to that challenge every year and I have seen great improvements. We have a lot of great athletes coming out this year who have all bought into the process and the program we are creating. We are young and competitive. I’m very anxious to see where we stand this year,” head coach Dana Henderson said.

Junior Kelsey Williams will step out from behind the plate to pitch for Buffalo this season.

“Her knowledge, determination, and love for the game will make her the difference-maker we need her to be,” Henderson said.

There are battles for playing time and positions all over the field outside of Williams. Seniors Madison Bennett, Savannah Rice and Makayla Short along with Williams have stood out the most to Henderson with their off-season work.

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“These girls have really put the team are their back this summer by stepping up to be the leaders that the team needs them to be by leading by example of hard work and dedication to the process,” Henderson said.

Bennett is the top returning hitter in that group after hitting .486 last season. Short hit .370.

Sophomores Bella Young, Dixie Gruber, Emily Waters, Darby Armstrong and Jada Watson along with freshman Reagan Woodburn will be other players to watch at the varsity level. Armstrong had a .350 batting average. Young hit .300 with 20 stolen bases as a freshman.

“We have great leadership this year with a young, competitive and athletic group that wants to win. As a coach, I can’t ask more of them than that,” Henderson said. “We just need to remember to trust the process and what we have been working on. We need to be mentally strong and overcome the things that don’t go in our favor sometimes.”

Buffalo will travel to Weaubleau for a jamboree on Aug. 25. The Lady Bison open the season on Aug. 30-31 at their home tournament.