By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Carthage coach Stephanie Ray welcomes back only three returning starters from a year ago, but very much likes the players she has to work with, as the Lady Tigers try to up their streak of 20-win seasons to six.
“We will rely on a lot of new faces along with youth to step into varsity roles for the first time,” Ray said. “They are a very consistent group of young ladies who show up daily with one goal in mind, to be better than they were the day before. They know our system and the expectations we have for them.
“We pride ourselves in working hard on the softball field and in the classroom, along with developing relentless young ladies,” she added. “These girls are a true family, and it’s fun watching them play for each other, no matter the outcome.”
Lottie Youngblood assumes Carthage’s pitching duties for her senior year, after primarily being at second base the past three years. Over 46 innings last season, she sported a 3.60 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .281 batting average.
Freshman Maddie Hill and junior Emmy Stark will also see time in the center circle.
“Lottie does a great job of mixing it up and has really been working on her off-speed pitches,” Ray said. “Maddie has developed a lot over the summer and is gaining more confidence with every outing. Emmy is another one who will be looking to add some relief innings.”
Carthage’s depth around the infield and outfield is such that the Lady Tigers have up to 14 players contending for starting jobs.
Youngblood is Carthage’s leading returning hitter. A year ago, she batted .336 with 30 RBIs and a pair of home runs.
“Lottie has a lot of pop in her bat, and we look for her to drive in a lot of runs,” Ray said.
Junior Kylinn Stonebraker started for the first time last season as the Lady Tigers’ DP. She hit .309 with a homer and 13 RBIs.
“We look for her to take over (at first base) full-time this season,” Ray said. “At the dish, Kylinn has real power and (we) expect her to take over the clean-up position in the lineup.”
Stark started in the right field as a freshman and left field as a sophomore. This year, she’ll most often be at shortstop.
“Emmy is one of the most athletic and versatile athletes on our team,” Ray said. “With Lottie on the mound, we look to move Emmy back to the infield, primarily shortstop. She has great range and an outstanding arm. She made several huge diving plays in the outfield last fall and we look for that kind of energy from her on the infield.”
Ray adds Stark will also try to make a big impact on the infield as a stolen-base threat.
“Emmy has gained more speed, and we are excited for her to be on the base paths and to put pressure on opposing defenses,” Ray said.
Junior Lu Willis will be a first-year starter in the outfield. Ray feels she could quickly become a dynamic player.
“(She) gained some varsity outfield experience for us last fall, along with being our courtesy runner the past two seasons,” Ray said. “Lu has incredible speed and reads the ball off the bat really well. She has accuracy in her throws and does a great job communicating with the other outfielders. We will look for Lu to take over in center field this season. She is another one who has speed on the basepaths and will pressure opposing defenses.”
Carthage will be young at catcher, with sophomore Campbell Kyte and freshman Kaidence Stiles the top two candidates. Stiles is also an infielder.
“Kaidence is a lefty with a good eye at the plate. She can take pitchers deep in the count and spray solid line drives to all areas of the field,” Ray said. “Kaidence can also handle the stick when it comes to laying down a bunt. Campbell is a line drive hitter with a little pop.”
Other outfielders in the mix for a starting spot are senior Abbie Barton and juniors Lilly Purinton and Brecklyn Abbiatti.
“All three played a lot of softball this summer and bring different skill sets to their positions,” Ray said. “Abbie Barton is a lefty who is a contact hitter and a tough out at the plate. In the outfield she does a great job tracking down balls. Lilly probably has one of the strongest arms of our outfielders and will lay out for any ball. At the plate, she has become a solid line drive hitter. Brecklyn is another one with a fairly accurate arm in the outfield and some of the quickest hands at the plate. Last year she led our JV in batting average.”
Around the infield, senior Kenzie Parker, junior Alyssa Smith and sophomore Maiah Williams are other possible starters.
“Kenzie does a great job making the routine plays and is a really hard worker,” Ray said. “Alyssa has played several different spots for us at the JV level. She is looking at focusing more on third base. She does a great job knocking down hard-hit balls and has a great arm across the diamond. Maiah may be a sophomore, but does a great job being a positive vocal leader. She is all heart and hustle and makes great plays at second base. At the plate, she is a contact hitter and is always finding ways to get on base.”
Rounding out the roster are sophomores Tori Buck, Ashlyn VanGilder and Tanner McWilliams and freshmen Aniston Willis, Kimberlyn Conway and Kallie Hegwer.
“Our freshmen are all competitively skilled and will be pushing our older girls to get better daily,” Ray said. “They know their roles and mix in well with our older girls.”
Ray is optimistic how her new starters will respond.
“I expect there to be a lot of nerves early with that many new starters in our lineup,” she said. “That is completely okay. I believe once they get a few varsity games under their belts, they will all settle in nicely. They know the expectations and have been a part of our program and watched a lot of successful athletes before them. They had some great leaders to show them what Carthage softball is all about and they are ready to fill those shoes.”
Ray would love to see this group bring home Carthage’s elusive first district championship.
“I expect these girls to continue working toward that ultimate goal, the first ever district title for Carthage softball,” Ray said. “I do expect a few growing pains with a lot of new faces at the varsity level, but nothing we can’t get through together as a family. I know these girls are up for the challenge and they have proven that with their hard work this summer.”
