By Chris Parker
Cassville softball has posted four straight .500 or better finishes including a 19-win campaign last season.
This season, six varsity starters return including Aubrey Stoufer, Tyra Sturgell, Nevaeh Johnson, Tomi Blankenship, Lili Naugle and Madi Yockey. Joei Blankenship, Hadley Moore and Bri Still also earned letters last season.
The pitching staff will be a source of strength with Stoufer returning at the top of the staff. She earned first-team all-conference honors after she threw 119.2 innings with 150 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA. Naugle, who was a first-team all-conference utility player and honorable mention all-conference pitcher, threw 75 innings with 120 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA. Tomi Blankenship is the third returning pitcher who threw 11 innings with seven strikeouts.
“I believe that our pitching will be a main strength of our team,” Savage said. “Not only the quality but also the depth that we have is something I believe can carry us through the season. With the ability to keep pitchers fresh and not have to worry about getting burnt out.”
Stoufer will also play shortstop when not pitching. She brings back a strong bat with a 1.021 OPS, three home runs, eight doubles, 28 RBI, and 23 runs scored last season. Naugle, who will be at first when not pitching, hit .371 with 16 RBI and 13 runs scored. Tomi Blankenship, who is also a centerfielder, hit .340 with five doubles and 11 RBI last season.
Johnson and freshman Addy Ramaeker will be behind the plate at catcher.
The infield lineup will feature Yockey at third base, Stoufer and freshman Briley Arhterton at shortstop, Still at second base and Naugle and Blankenship at first base. Yockey earned second-team all-conference honors as a designated player as a freshman. She hit .308 with 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.
The outfield will feature Sturgell in left field and Tomi Blakenship in centerfield. Johnson will also see time in centerfield with Kierstan Fare and Moore in right field.
The seniors will set the tone for Cassville.
“(We are) looking to our seniors, Aubrey Stoufer, Nevaeh Johnson, Tyra Sturgell, Joei Blankenship, Kierstan Fare, Hadley Moore,” Savage said. “This group should provide our leadership and set the example for the underclassmen of how to work and carry themselves throughout the season.”
The pitching will be key for Cassville as the offense works to catch up after graduating some key hitters.
“Focusing on the offensive side will be a key for us being able to score runs and give our pitchers the ability to pitch with a lead, and being able to attack hitters the way we want will be a big key and focus for us,” Savage said.
Cassville opens the season Aug. 29-30 at the Morrisville Tournament.
“I have high expectations for this team and this season,” Savage said. “We constantly talk about having high expectations while also focusing on and understanding what it takes to achieve those goals. It is one thing to just simply state what your goals are but another to attack each day with the purpose of achieving those goals and that is something we focus on.”
