2021 Spring Preview: Strafford Softball

o-zone-ozone-24

By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Team: Strafford Indians
Coach: Dale Bean
2019 Results: 18-7 (Lost 6-4 to Pleasant Hope in Class 1 District 8 finals)
Opening Day 2021: March 20 at the MLC Tournament

Strafford said goodbye to a decorated group of seven seniors when the 2020 spring softball season was cancelled following the local onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That senior exodus, combined with the group that graduated after the 2019 season, means that Indians head coach Dale Bean has the task of filling out a lineup for Opening Day 2021 that will be full of first-time varsity starters from top to bottom.

“[That] will be an adventure to say the least, but we are excited to see how the 2021 softball season will play out,” Bean said. “This season will be unlike any other. We’re coming into this season not really knowing what other teams will look like or how the season will play out in general.’

“However, there is a lot to look forward to this year with all the new faces on the team, as well as the opportunity to just be able to play and see our team get better as the season progresses.”

Strafford softball has spent the last four active seasons doing a lot of winning. The Indians went 74-1 from 2016-18 and won 18 more games in 2019.

While the new faces may provide more initial questions than this program is used to answering, Bean is excited about the present challenge and what it means for the future.

“There really isn’t anywhere for this team to go but up for the next several years and that is something that we are excited about,” Bean said. “It’s tough to say where this team will land in conference or even in districts because of all the variables out there with other teams as well as our own. But I do like the heart, hustle and willingness to listen and learn that I have seen so far, and that gives me confidence that we will be a solid team at years end.”

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS

2021 Roster Outlook

Strafford’s 2021 roster is young. The Indians will have just four upperclassmen in seniors Emma Ivey (C/INF/OF) and Kallie Whitlow (INF) and juniors Emma Mullings (P/INF) and Evy Lexa (INF/OF).

Mullings is the team’s most experienced returner with 25 career varsity games, batting .388 with 10 doubles, 23 runs, 23 RBIs and eight steals while going 3-2 in four starts on the mound (30.2 IP, 22 K, 5.49 ERA).

Ivey’s 18 varsity games are next on the list. She’s hit .219 over 32 career at-bats for the Indians.

The only other returner with previous varsity experience is Whitlow, who has two career at-bats at this level.

“Everyone who plays spring softball is at a disadvantage because of last year,” Bean said. “We’re all in the same boat when it comes to players losing an entire year of eligibility. However, we worked really hard over the summer when we were finally able to get back on the field and made a lot of progress with the time we had, which I feel will help us close the development gap a little.”

Strafford’s sophomores include Addy Crocker (OF), Ashley Whitlow (INF/OF), Shea Dobbins (OF) and Ashley Suter (INF).

Freshmen for the Indians include Lauren Jones (INF/OF), Evelyn Comstock (C/INF), Mia Highfill (INF), Natalie Gannon (P/INF/OF), Ally Rust (C/OF), Jasmine Hayes (INF/OF), Kristen Manning (OF) and Lizzie Davis (INF).

Bean expects Gannon to share the workload with Mullings on the mound with significant playing time and starting opportunities possible for every name on the list.

“The one thing I’m really excited about in returning to the field is the chance to teach new players about softball and the competition that comes along throughout the season,” Bean said.

2021 Season Outlook

Strafford is scheduled to jamboree at Mt. Vernon with Mountain Grove and Thayer on March 16.

The Indians open their season in the MLC Tournament on March 20. The team will also participate in the Mt. Vernon Tournament (3/22-3/25) and the Pleasant Hope Lady Pirate Classic (4/10).

As always, Strafford will have a challenging schedule that includes always-tough programs like Purdy (twice), Pleasant Hope, Pierce City and Mt. Vernon.

“Our girls aren’t going to be happy with settling for less than anything but being the best,” Bean said. “We will have high expectations no matter what situations we are dealt with, but we also know that we will be young and inexperienced in a lot of areas. This will give us a nothing-to-lose attitude which will help us stay loose throughout the season.”

Related Posts

Loading...