Fall 2019 Preview: Warsaw Softball

warsaw-simons

By Chris Parker

Warsaw softball posted a 23-4 record last year and came up one game short of making it to the Class 2 Final Four. The Lady Wildcats ended their season with a loss to eventual state runner-up Blair Oaks.

Six senior starters return for head coach Steve Larson. That group is led by all-state selections Aubrie McRoberts and Rayni Simmons. McRoberts, who hit .477 with 33 RBI and 10 doubles last year, will return to shortstop. Simmons hit .480 with 23 RBI last year and will return to her spot in the outfield.

Larson has two returning all-conference pitchers to go to in senior Kya Schepker and junior Kylee Fajen. Schepker was 8-3 and Fajen 6-1 last season.

“Kya throws more pitches, we work hard on her spins. Kya’s speed has increased over the years,” Larson said. “Kylee is a hard-nosed competitor who throws pretty hard and works very hard. Both of them are very versatile.”

Senior Paige Adair, who went 8-0 in the circle last year, gives Warsaw a third strong option at pitcher.

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The infield will be comprised of: Karlie Jones (sophomore, first base), McRoberts (shortstop, senior), Fajen (junior, third base/second base/pitcher), Schepker (senior, second base/pitcher), Taylor Howe (sophomore, third base/catcher), Reagan Shelby (senior, catcher) and Adair (senior, second base/pitcher).

The outfield will include: Kiersten Grobe (senior, left/right field), Simons (senior, center field), Aspen Whitaker (junior, right field) and Ambri Simons (sophomore).

Pitching will be a key if Warsaw is to make it a step further and qualify for the Final Four.

“My pitchers really need to focus on their pitches and location. My defense is pretty good no matter which nine I start. With the exception of Blair Oaks last year, we hit most pitchers pretty good. Everybody just needs to step it up a notch. Going to state in the fall is pretty tough,” Larson said.

The Lady Wildcats would love a trip to Springfield in October for the Final Four in their final season before switching to spring softball next year, but they are not getting ahead of themselves.

“I don’t get wrapped up in the State hype. I’m old school, take it one game at a time, and control what we can control,” Larson said. “A lot of pressure is put on by the people on the other side of the fence, we as a coaching staff try to do the best job we can and the girls do what they can do.”

Warsaw opens the season on Aug. 30-31 at the Greater Kansas City Tournament.

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