By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last season, the Willow Springs softball program went from being the hunter to the hunted.
With seven starters returning from the team responsible for the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance, the Bears weren’t exactly sneaking up on anyone.
They were circled on schedules.
They were the measuring stick.
Instead of building on that momentum, Willow Springs finished 14-10 — and discovered staying on top can be far more difficult than getting there.
“I think some of the girls just thought we could show up and win games because of how good we had been in the past,” head coach Ryan Bunch said. “When you go to the Final Four you put a target on your back and you get every team’s best because they want to beat a team that just went to the Final Four.”
This spring, the Bears aren’t carrying the weight of expectations — and they may be better for it.
“I personally like the underdog role,” Bunch said. “Most people root for the underdog. Once you get to the top, I think it’s hard to stay at the top. Every time you step onto the field you know you are going to be in a dog fight, so there is little room for error. I think that took a toll on us last season.”
The coach noted there were several games where the Bears were leading in the sixth or seventh inning, only to see their opponents rally for late wins. This season, the largest returning senior class in Bunch’s tenure as head coach returns tougher, smarter and ready to make sure those moments end differently.
“Our goals are to compete for a conference and district title,” Bunch said. “Our overall team goal this year is to go to the Final Four.”
Five of the seven seniors earned all-conference and all-district honors last season, as pitchers Khila Smith and Shelby Hutchings, catcher Sophie Jackson, shortstop Chloe Jones and centerfielder Karis Cochran emerged as statistical and emotional leaders.
Smith, Hutchings and Jackson were also named to the all-region team after combining to drive in 85 runs and score 63 more.
Smith (7-5, 2.33 ERA) and Hutchings (4-2, 3.5) will form the team’s rotation.
They’ll have familiar faces behind them, as fellow senior Zoey Johnson returns to right field and classmate Elizabeth Nickel shifts from second base to first.
Nickel’s move creates an opening in the infield, while left field remains another position up for grabs.
Competition for those roles has already begun, as Bunch said as many as five freshmen could factor into the lineup. Kailene McKee, Jordan Hulsey, Haylee Pauley, Charlotte Maggard and Avery Foster are all poised to make their varsity debuts this spring.
“I’m excited to see who will step up and take those positions,” the coach added.
The Bears will skip a jamboree and open the regular season March 23, when they host Dora.
“I know how much work the girls put in during the offseason, so I’m excited to see how that transfers onto the field,” Bunch said.
