By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Monett Lady Cubs are itching to circle the bases.
The proverbial, figurative itch makes its presence known with each passing day throughout this offseason.
Well, the calendar has struck August, which means one thing: business has just picked up for head coach Jami Bauer and her Lady Cubs.
The Cubs authored a 12-13 record last year, leaving a bit of a sour taste in their mouths as they look for the next step for a program that won a state championship a mere four years ago.
Last season, the Cubs fell in the first round of the Class 4 District 6 Tournament to Glendale, 8-1.
Last season’s trials and tribulations, compounded with losing five starters, simply sets the table for this season, Bauer said.
“We’re definitely in the process of rebuilding,” Bauer said. “We have a lot of young players. We are trying to fill those spots and put kids in the right positions.”
Holes to fill this season include the following positions: C, 3B, SS, 1B, OF.
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While the aforementioned five positions have yet to be written in the concrete, depth is one intangible the Lady Cubs may have at their disposal.
Added Bauer: “We have … not a lot of depth, but we do have some different [variables] that we can do with the kids. …Just trying to figure out what we have and what will work best. This summer, we have been playing with different variations and trying to see what fits best.”
While the nucleus is gone, the Cubs do return four lettermen.
Those lettermen include senior Molly Poole (3B), senior Ashtyn Blakey (LF), junior Allyson Inman (CF), and junior Kailyn Cendroski (SS).
One crucial hole to address by Bauer is none other than pitching, as Caitlyn Calhoun graduated after logging 140 innings pitched, amassing a .347 average, a 2.95 ERA, and an 11-10 record.
Abby Inman (junior) and Kendra Parsons (sophomore) will tandem the circle this fall, Bauer said.
“Right now, it is probably going to be alternating,” Bauer said of her hurlers. “They both are young, and we are trying to develop both of them.”
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Kate Huntress was the starting catcher last season, and this year the duty falls upon the shoulders of newcomer Kaehler Swearingen and sophomore Jayden Hohensee, Bauer said.
Leadership will be key for a team in rebuild mode, and with four solid upperclassmen in Allyson Inman, Cendroski, Molly Poole, and Blakey, the players will serve as an extension of the coaching staff: thereby, leaving their final stamps on the eight underclassmen.
Added Bauer: “I think this is a rebuilding year. We have good leaders who are competitive. The pitchers, they’re young but are growing. Overall, I think it will be a pretty solid team across the board defensively. I am excited to see these girls develop as a team.”
Monett will hit the field and host the Aug. 20 jamboree against Webb City, Seneca, and Willard.
The season opener is slated for Aug. 30 at Neosho, and the home opener is one day later when the Marshfield Lady Jays visit.
The Cubs previously won the Big 8 Conference in 2017, the same year as their previous state and district championships.
