By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Team: Billings Lady Wildcats
Coach: Randy Towe
2019 Results: 11-10 (Lost 16-8 to Crane in Class 1 District 10 quarterfinals)
Opening Day 2021: March 22 at Miller
Nine seniors and four returning varsity letterwinners are set to lead the Billings Lady Wildcats softball program back to the field in 2021 following the cancelled 2020 season.
The program’s last full MSHSAA season in 2019 was its first over .500 since 2015, and head coach Randy Towe’s group will be depending on that leadership to work towards that mark again this season.
“I feel we will definitely be competitive,” Towe said. “We’re bringing back a good nucleus. However, we will be fairly inexperienced overall.”
2021 Roster Outlook
Billings will have a familiar face on the mound in 2019 all-conference honorable mention Lizzie Edwards returning for her senior year. Edwards was 11-10 with 87 strikeouts and a 5.23 ERA over 105.0 innings as a sophomore for the Lady Wildcats in 2019.
“Edwards is a key player,” Towe said. “She is our pitcher and has done so since freshman year.”
First-team all-conference senior Sky Metscher (1B/CF) is back as well. She hit .488 with nine stolen bases as a sophomore in 2019.
“We expect good things from Sky,” Towe said. “She was our leading hitter as a sophomore.”
Hanna Verch (2B) and Grace Vesci (LF) round out the returners. Verch hit .288 with a .364 on-base percentage in 2019. Vesci had just seven official at-bats in 2019 but scored 18 runs.
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“Verch has played second base since her freshman year freshmen year,” Towe said. “She is a great defensive player and continues to make strides at the plate.’
“Vesci has been a very good outfielder for us. Her speed is key.”
Billings welcomes a fair number of varsity newcomers in Mikayla Moore (3B), Ashlyn Menkel (C), Sierra Essick (OF), Kelsy Bridgford (INF/OF), Liberty Hardy (INF), and Cadence Daniel (SS).
2021 Season Outlook
Billings is still seeking out a jamboree opportunity for 2021. The Lady Wildcats are scheduled to officially open their season March 22 at Miller. Their home opener is scheduled for March 23 against Southwest (Washburn).
“It is exciting to see our players get back on the field after the devastation of losing our season last year,” Towe said.
Billings is currently scheduled to compete in the SWCL Tournament and the Sparta Softball Classic.
Like teams across the country, Towe is hopeful the Lady Wildcats can avoid any COVID-19 cancellations—especially with the condensed softball schedule.
“There is always the possibility of our team getting quarantined at any point,” Towe said. “In a short season like softball any time off would be detrimental to our season.”
