By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ozark softball rebounded in a big way last season with its first 20-win season since 2018.
While the 24-8 Tigers fell in the district championship, head coach Jimmy Nimmo believes the foundation for future success has been built within the program.
“We knew going into the 2021-2022 season that a few things had to change from the previous season,” Nimmo said. “One of those things was the team chemistry had to be spot on moving forward. The girls bought in early and the senior leadership was a big reason for it. I still believe that this will be one of the most important things moving into the 2022-2023 season.”
The Tiger graduates from that squad included Abby Ford, Hannah Vaughan, Kenna Mayfield and Remi Watson.
Ford, an all-state selection, was also named Player of the Year in the Central Ozark Conference.
“Our four seniors from last season will truly be missed,” Nimmo said. “They really did a great job leading our team to a strong finish. They not only worked hard on the field, but they were great examples in the classroom. All four of the seniors were Academic All-State recipients. Their leadership will be tough to emulate, but it must happen for us to be successful.”
Stepping into those leadership spots for Ozark will be a talented quartet of seniors in Jordyn Foley, Savannah Hughes, Brooklyn Hasler and Karissa Robets.
Foley, the Tigers primary pitcher, recorded 20 wins, 7 losses and a 2.262 ERA last season. She received all-conference, all-district and all-region honors.
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“Jordyn will continue to lead on the mound this season,” Nimmo said. “She has played at a higher level this summer than ever before and has continued to work on mastering her pitches. We expect great things from Jordyn as she toes the rubber each and every game, but also as a team leader on and off the field.”
Hughes, who saw time at pitcher, first base and in the outfield, finished the season with a .337 average, 34 hits, 32 runs batted in and a record of 2-1 in the circle. She was also named to all-conference, all-district and all-region teams.
“Savannah had a good junior year last season,” Nimmo said. “We are expecting bigger and better things from her, as she takes on a leadership role with the other three seniors. Savannah has played a competitive schedule this past summer and hopefully has prepared her to step up in key moments this season.”
Hasler, who also rotated in at pitcher, first base and outfield, posted a .313 average with 31 hitts, 23 runs batted in and a 2-0 record in the circle.
“Brooklyn played an intricate part in our lineup last season,” Nimmo said. “We are looking forward to another successful season for Brooklyn. She will also be somewhere in the middle of our lineup and we expect her numbers to rise due to her off season work.”
Roberts, an outfielder, hit .284 with 19 hits and 11 runs batted in last season.
“Karissa will continue to play a big role in the outfield this season; however, this season will be a bit different,” Nimmo said. “She will be our leader in the outfield, replacing Abbi Ford from last season. We aren’t expecting her to fill anyone’s shoes, but we do expect this outfield to be as good as we were last year.”
Junior Courtney Merrell also returns for the Tigers.
Merrell, a second baseman, recorded a .306 average with 33 hits and 16 runs batted in last season.
“Courtney was a great addition to our team last season,” Nimmo said. “She filled a tough position at second base and did a great job. Courtney has high expectations for herself, and we have no doubt that she is capable of doing even greater things this season.”
Junior shortstop Kaylee Linnebur will miss the season with a torn ACL.
Sophomores Natalie Morgan and Audrey Carlton round out Ozark’s returning corps.
Morgan, a catcher, hit .330 last season with 30 hits, 21 runs batted in and 4 home runs.
“Natalie came in last season and played at a level that most freshmen don’t,” Nimmo said. “Natalie will continue to lead this team from behind the plate. I can see Natalie having a breakout season and will lead this team statistically in a few categories.”
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Carlton, an outfielder, recorded a .298 average with 17 hits, 17 runs batted in and 3 home runs.
“Audrey was a good surprise last season,” Nimmo said. “She became a starter about a quarter into the season, and she filled in nicely. Audrey has found a passion for this sport this past year and has continued to flourish.”
Nimmo also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this fall in junior pitcher/first baseman Avery Elliott, sophomore infielder Kelsie Batey, sophomore infielder Allie Muggenburg, junior infielder Emily Griest, sophomore infielder Kayden Miller and sophomore outfielder Lyla Wood.
“This group of ladies works tremendously hard and will bring healthy competition as they work towards those starting roles,” Nimmo said. “None of these players have varsity experience, but I feel with the level of summer ball that they have played this past summer and the work that they have put in these last couple of months in the weight room will pay big dividends.”
Nimmo believes those dividends could have the most effect at the plate, as Ozark’s offense will be both talented and versatile.
“With all our hard work and dedication this past spring and summer, I hope to have the same success this year,” Nimmo said. “Our offensive numbers, however, will have to improve. We will have to play this game strategically in every aspect to be successful. What I mean by that is we will have to play small ball, run the bases well and, hopefully, find an increase in extra base hits this fall.”
In the circle, Ozark is set up nicely with 20-game-winner Foley ready to pick up where she left off in 2021..
“Fortunately, our entire pitching staff will return, and I expect great things from our pitchers this season,” Nimmo said. “Jordyn Foley will lead the charge, but we have some good depth in our staff and will be used when needed.”
Behind Foley, Nimmo believes the Tigers are well poised for success with new faces stepping into prominent roles at center field, shortstop and third base.
“I feel overall we will be as good if not better defensively this year compared to last year,” Nimmo said. “However, a few things will have to work themselves out early to get us to that place. As stated, I believe we have all the abilities to make it happen. Confidence in and commitment to individual roles will prove to be two of the biggest factors in our success this season.”
Ozark opens its regular season Aug. 29 at McDonald County.
