By Chris Parker
Branson softball won 16 games last season and returns six starters and eight varsity lettermen this year.
The outfield is intact with all three starters in Savi Engel (senior), Taylee Wilkerson (senior) and Peyton Youngblood (sophomore).
“These three can patrol a large portion of the outfield with their speed,” Branson head coach Josh McKee said. “They are a fun group to watch roam the outfield and make big plays. Engel has been a four-year starter in the outfield and will be in centerfield. She is a lot of fun to watch and plays the game really hard. There isn’t a ball that she doesn’t think she can get. She will be at the top of the lineup at the plate during the season. She had a really good offensive season last year and we expect her to continue this season as well. Taylee and Payton have only been playing softball for the past two seasons; they are extremely athletic and competitive. They are a solid duo in the field and at the plate. With these three in the outfield, this could be one of the best outfield groups that I have had in my 15 years of coaching softball.”
Catcher Jaidah Schwark returns for her junior season.
“She caught all the games for us last season,” McKee said. “She has grown a lot during summer playing softball all over the Midwest and honing her skills. We expect big things from her behind the plate and at the plate this season.”
Brooklyn Davis I the only returning player on the infield where she has started at second base for the past three seasons. Davis will transition to shortstop this season.
“She has been a huge asset to the program since she has walked through the gate her freshman year,” McKee said. “She is very athletic and has a lot of skills at the plate and on defense. We will lean on her to get the other infielders up to speed and use her game knowledge to get them ready to play.”
Senior Kallie Hall and freshman Mary Woods will handle the pitching duties.
“We will have a senior-freshman combination in the circle this year,” McKee said. “We will rely on Kallie to help Mary adjust to the game at the varsity level and be someone she can lean on to learn how to pitch and compete at the varsity level. Kallie has grown a lot over the years and will be able to use her experience to help out Mary along the way.”
The offense will lead the way while the pitching looks to be more consistent.
“This is one of the more diversified offensive teams I have had with speed and power; should be a fun group to watch and have the opportunity to score a lot of runs,” McKee said. “We will need to improve in the circle this season and just be consistent and give our defense a chance to make plays and get outs.”
Branson hosts a jamboree on Aug. 26 before opening the season at the Morrisville Tournament Aug. 29-30.
“I think we will have a great season and be competitive every time we step on the field,” McKee said. “We have a tough schedule that will prepare us for the postseason. I like to make our schedule tough to get our kids better each and every day.”
