2021 Fall Preview: Weaubleau Softball

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By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

When Sue Ann Ginnings took over the Weaubleau softball team prior to the 2018 season, the coach believed her inaugural group had the potential to reach the Final Four for the fifth time in school history.

They came up a win short.

The 2019 Tigers defended their district title and fought their way back to the state quarterfinals, where a victory would have avenged that devastating loss and sent the program back to the Final Four.

They came up a win short once more.

Last fall, Weaubleau won a third straight district title and rode the arm of superstar pitcher and Polk County League MVP Jenna Daggett to the quarterfinals once again. This time, the Tigers took a 2-1 lead into the sixth at home, only to see Vienna stage a two-out, three-run rally to deal them a familiar fate.

Vienna wound up winning the state title, while Weaubleau was left to wonder what might have been. The Tigers have since regrouped and are ready to renew their quest to finally return to the Final Four.

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“We thought the first year that I was there, that we had the team to get there,” Ginnings lamented. “And actually, I think last year was our team to get there and we just fell short in that last inning. It was heartbreaking. We had that chance on our home turf to make it to the Final Four. These girls coming in, they have that experience. They know that pressure and I think that now coming into it, they’ll be able to handle it a little bit better so we get there.”

Weaubleau games will have a significantly different look and feel this season now that Daggett has graduated and committed to continue her career at Crowder College. She was a four-time all-district selection and earned a spot on the Class 1 all-state team after hitting .701 with 46 RBI as a senior.

“It’s going to be a different game than what we’ve played,” Ginnings said. “I keep telling them balls are going to get hit harder to you. We’re going to have to expect more hits, more people doing that because we’re not going to be as strong in the circle. It’s nearly impossible to replace an all-state pitcher.”

Senior Katie Ginnings, Sue Ann’s daughter, will try to do just that — transitioning to the circle after earning all-district honors as Weaubleau’s starting center fielder.

“She doesn’t throw anything fancy,” coach Ginnings said. “She just throws strikes. Our defense is going to have to work. That’s the main thing. We have to make sure that we are behind her, because the whole striking out thing is not going to be as strong as we once were. But she’s going to get in there and work hard.”

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Fortunately for the Tigers, most of their defense remains intact. All-district infielders Addison Durnell and Celena Lambeth graduated, but four other players who received postseason honors will return.

Daggett’s younger sister, sophomore Jaylee Daggett, was an all-league and all-district catcher last year after hitting .413. She also recorded 25 RBI and scored 35 runs, both tops among all returning players.

“She’s just a good all-around player,” coach Ginnings said. “She’s a workhorse. She gets in there, works hard and wants to get better. She’s coachable. That’s what I love about her. She’s willing to try anything and do anything to get better.”

Classmates Sutton Mitchell (shortstop) and Tayler Ashlock (third base) were all-league selections in their first year on the varsity, while fellow all-league pick Grayce Hostettler headlines an all-senior outfield.

That returning core helped Weaubleau to a 19-8 finish last year and will look to build on that success.

“Their goals are to win another district championship – to go on,” coach Ginnings said. “They don’t want people to think that it’s just because of a few players that they got there. They want to prove that they are just as good and capable as the teams before. It’s a lot of pressure and I think they’re motivated.”

Ashlock (.309, 13 RBI, 22 runs scored) and Mitchell (.452, 22 RBI, 24 runs scored) hit 1-2 in the order last year. They will be asked to maintain or improve their contributions at the plate and provide solid defense as the team expects to see more balls hit to their side of the infield.

“They have lots of travel ball experience,” coach Ginnings said. “I expect big things from them. Their bats are good. Taylor is a lefty. She can slap, she can bunt and she does a good job getting on base and moving runners. Sutton hits the ball hard for as little as she is. She can pack a punch. Fielding-wise, they know where they’re supposed to go.”

The corner outfielders will also have varsity experience, as Hostettler (left) and Jadyn Lower (right) are both returning. Hostettler hit .457 with 21 RBI, while Lower batted .407 and scored 20 runs. And with Katie Ginnings now pitching, classmate Brynn Mitchell will take over in center field.

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“She has speed,” coach Ginnings said of Mitchell. “She reads the ball really well. The more playing time she gets, the better she’ll get.”

Freshman Kali Anderson will be the No. 2 pitcher.

Sophomore Kaylin Vail appears to be the frontrunner for Durnell’s former position at first base after an impressive spring ball season, though freshman Delaney Welch could also see time.

Senior Emma Case will replace Lambeth at second.

“She was my backup second baseman last year and her bat has gotten better in the last two years,” coach Ginnings said of the senior. “I look for her to step up in some key situations, too.”

Depth, leadership and experience are all areas the Tigers consider strengths.

“This team definitely has a different identity, but I still think we’re going to be deep,” coach Ginnings said. “I still have kids that are going to be on the bench that have played a lot.”

For the players who are on the field, the goal is the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2010.

“They want to be there,” coach Ginnings said. “They want to get better. I think they’re motivated. I think this group can go just as far as some of the others have gone. They’re excited to prove themselves.”

The Tigers will host a jamboree with Lebanon and Montrose on August 24, then open the regular season at the Morrisville Tournament that begins on August 27.

Their home opener is scheduled for September 2 against Leeton, while their Polk County League schedule begins when Macks Creek comes to town on September 3. They will conclude the regular season on October 8 against Climax Springs — and then begin what they hope will be a deep playoff run.

“This group works hard,” coach Ginnings said. “They know what losing is like. They are winners and they want to continue to win. That’s their drive. We do hit the ball well. That’s our strength right now. Like I said, our defense is going to have to work harder this year than we’ve ever worked, but I’m still confident that this group can handle that.”

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