By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Skyline welcomes back the good majority of its infielders and outfielders who helped the Lady Tigers go 24-5 and finish as Class 2 state runner-up last season.
Coach Shawna Bybee is counting on her veterans, some who were also part of Skyline’s 2021 state championship team, to help break in a newcomer to the center circle.
“I hope defense will be our strength, as we return a lot of our gloves,” Bybee said. “I think that in itself should help our pitchers with some confidence.”
Around the infield, returning starters are Chayla Tuning, Grace Edge, and Autumn Baldwin.
“Our infield worked very well last year behind our pitchers,” Bybee said.
Edge is in her second season at shortstop, having established herself there while being named to the Class 2 All-State Second Team and the Mid-Lakes Conference First Team last season. She has started since she was a freshman.
“Grace had to make the transition from third base to shortstop and made it look easy,” Bybee said. “I hope to see her continue to strive for improvement and work well with our other middle infielders. Her bat will always come with a ton of power.”
Baldwin is a sophomore who will bat lead-off and play second. Tuning is a junior entering her third season as a starter.
“Autumn started as a freshman and did well for us. (I) only see improvements to come as she is a year older,” Bybee said. “Chayla split games from infield to outfield, depending on pitching. I see her continue that role and stay a couple more games in the infield. She puts in a lot of extra time to make sure she is ready for games at whatever position we have her at.”
Bybee values the experience she will be able to call upon in a group of outfielders made up of seniors Kalli Eidson, Lexie Curtis and Dani Henry, along with Tuning. Curtis was a Mid-Lakes First-Team selection a year ago.
“We have a lot of returning outfield players with a lot of experience the last couple years,” Bybee said. “I expect them to act like veterans out there.”
Lexie Curtis will assume the catching duties, after being a part-time starter behind the plate last season
“Lexie did great with sharing the catcher’s role,” Bybee said. “When she wasn’t catching, she was playing the outfield. Keeping her in important roles on defense really helped her offensive game.”
Bybee hopes designated hitter Abby Hammer picks up where she left off last season.
“Abby really did well toward the end of the year,” Bybee said. “She has a lot of power in her swing.”
Freshman Makenna Shockley is expected to debut as Skyline’s number one pitcher. She takes over for Jadyn Foster, a First-Team All-State selection last season.
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“Makenna has had a lot of experience on the mound in her youth,” Bybee said. “I look forward to watching her grow this year (and) hope to see a lot of improvement mentally, as physically she has it.”
Other players who figure to be in the mix are Haley Long, Jolene WIlcox, Tymber Pinon, Jenna Hunt, Brooklyn Miller, Tae Harris, Holly Hahs and Janelle Long.
Citing Skyline’s experience, Bybee expects the Lady Tigers to be an intelligent bunch.
“We have a lot of girls who have played softball for a while,” she said. “We need to use that (experience) to be vocal to teach the underclassmen (who) will step into big roles.”
Bybee is hopeful of Skyline continuing its strong winning ways and is anxious to see how the Lady Tigers respond to the challenges that await them.
“A concern of mine will be staying disciplined and the mental side of the game,” Bybee said. “It’s hard to understand failures and how to learn from them. I hope these girls adjust well and fast to my coaching. They need to realize that previous teams have had success because they were pushed and learned from their mistakes. I want this team to get on that same page.
“They will be as successful as they make it,” she added. “We need to work game by game, inning by inning, showing improvements out by out. They will be successful. (They) just have to get through the hard times which every team has. If we get through those we will be a strong team.”
