By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Neosho welcomes aboard a winner of 200-plus games as Brandi Goodell takes over the Lady Wildcats’ head coaching job.
Goodell was at Liberal the last 23 years, serving as a basketball coach for 21 seasons and softball coach for 15. She led the Lady Bulldogs’ softball team to a 25-4 record and a third-place Class 1 finish in 2018. Liberal also won district championships in 2016, 2017 and 2024.
Goodell likes what she sees in her new players at Neosho. The Lady Wildcats have been winners themselves, going 68-29 the past three years under new Carl Junction athletics director Catie Cummins.
“We have had some summer league games and other open field get-togethers,” Goodell said. “It is a great group of kids. I have a couple of really good assistants, so it has been a smooth transition so far.”
Goodell inherited two of the COC’s premier hitters in Autumn Kinnaird and Journey Arnall. They are among Neosho’s six returning starters.
“It appears we will have a good balanced line up,” Gooda\ell said.
Kinnaird, a Tulsa commit, hit .410 with a team-high 41 hits, 26 runs scored, four home runs and 19 RBIs last season. She was an All-COC West Division First-Team selection.
Arnall batted .430 last season and also had 19 RBIs.
Addy Hart led the Lady Wildcats with five home runs a year ago, while hitting .236 with 18 RBIs. Kynden Smith hit .324 with 34 hits and 22 RBIs and Sadee Leach hit .275 with 10 RBIs.
Arnall and Smith were All-COC West Second-Team selections.
Ashlyn Stevens scored 15 runs and had 13 stolen bases a year ago.
“(Stevens) has great speed and has looked better everyday this summer,” Goodell said.
Neosho was 18-15 and won the COC West Division title a year ago.
PItching candidates are Olivia Emery, Arnall and Leach.
“If we can get Olivia in the circle we can defend the COC West championship,” Goodell said. “I do believe we will be competitive regardless of who is in the circle.”
Goodell is anxious to see how Neosho plays defensively.
“There are a lot of unknowns on defense, but I am confident we have some depth on defense and can move some people around to put a very solid defense on the field,” she said.
Neosho will open its season Aug. 30 at McDonald County against the host Lady Mustangs and Marshfield.
