By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mountain Grove softball enjoyed another winning season in head coach Allison Klock’s first year with the team.
The Panthers finished with a 14-7 record, falling to Willow Springs in the district tournament.
“We made a lot of progress as a team last year,” Klock said. “I felt both offensively and defensively, we set goals for ourselves and were able to reach them. Being a young team and my first year as the head coach I was really happy with the girls and the season overall.”
With eight returning starters, Klock has every reason to be optimistic heading into her second season.
A trio of seniors are set to lead the Panthers in all-conference and all-district pitcher/first baseman Payton O’Connor, outfielder McKenzie Schober and outfielder Chloe Slagle.
Klock on O’Connor (.379 AVG, .520 OBP, .985 FPCT): “Payton has been a four-year varsity starter. She has held a leadership role for several years in many different positions. She is a great team player, shows up every day to work hard and do her best. She is loyal and gives her all to the sport. She brings determination, dedication, responsibility and resilience to the table everyday to be a great role model for her teammates and others. She will help us in the circle this year as well as on the corners playing first and third when needed. She is a consistent hitter that has always done her job and led the team in RBI the last several seasons. She is smart and relaxed in the box.”
Klock on Schober: “McKenzie is one of the hardest working kids. She always wants to stay late and take extra swings or reps in the field. She is dedicated and will be a great leader in our group of three seniors. McKenzie has played both infield and outfield over the last few seasons. She could spend some time in both positions this year as well. She is very versatile and that will really help us out this year. She is quick on the bases and is very helpful at the plate.”
Klock on Slagle: “Chloe has been a four-year starter for the Panthers. She is quick and reads the ball really well in the outfield. She also has a great swing at the plate with several home runs last season. Chloe is a smart ball player and works hard every day. She always gives her best effort and is a great leader on and off the field. Chloe has passion and love for the game, this is shown through her effort and enthusiasm on the field.”
The seniors are joined by Mountain Grove’s additional returning starters in junior all-district catcher Aubrie Gerla, junior utility Gabby Miller, sophomore all-conference and all-district pitcher Hannah Dowden, sophomore infielder Lyla Golden and sophomore Aubrey Owens.
Klock on Gerla (.490 OPS, 110 PO, .942 FPCT): “Aubrie is returning this year behind the plate for us. She is such a wonderful teammate and is full of energy and joy. She truly makes each day so much better. I love having her on the team. She is a go-getter, strong and hardworking. She takes a lot of pride behind the plate and at the plate. She has been working hard in the off season to get her bat speed up and gain power. I am excited to see what she will do this season.”
Klock on Miller: “This is my third season with Gabby. She has been a varsity starter every season. Her freshman year she did a lot of catching for us and played shortstop. Last season she took over at second base and shined. She is gritty and loves the game. She is passionate, smart, quick and loves to get dirty. She has done really well at the plate and has success on both sides. She is quick and an aggressive base runner. She is a lot of fun to coach and I can’t wait to see what she will do this season. She is excited about having some time in the outfield as well as the infield. She is a great teammate and also shines as a leader on the field.”
Klock on Dowden (96.1 IP, 112 K, 2.107 ERA): “Hannah is returning as our starting pitcher. As a freshman last year, she carried us in the circle with her velocity and movement. She is small but mighty. She brings a quiet energy to the team and puts in a lot of work behind the scenes to be a really good pitcher. She earned postseason recognition last year, and this off season has really grown in her movement and speed. I look forward to seeing what she can do offensively this year as she did not hit last season. I think she is excited for the opportunity as well.”
Klock on Golden: “Lyla Golden was a standout freshman DH for us last year in the six hole. She also played first base when needed. She has so much talent and potential in this game. I am so excited to see how her season goes this year. She plays year-round and has improved in every area of the game. She is just as powerful at the plate as her sister was (graduated senior Landry Golden) and can play both corners on the infield. She is a lot of fun to be around and will truly help out her team in a lot of areas.”
Klock on Owens: “Aubrey was a utility player last season. She came into the game in many different ways and really helped us out. She will have a primary role this season and I am excited to see her excel. She is fast! Her speed will help us a great deal both offensive and defensive. She is a great teammate and a lot of fun to coach. She is putting a lot of work in during off season and I know it will pay off for her.”
Klock also expects a trio of other returnees to compete for varsity innings in Brodi Trimble, Leah Broome and Josey Davis.
In addition to her deep returning roster, Klock has high expectations for freshman utility Briley Curtis.
“Briley played in several different positions during summer ball, and I believe she can make an impact wherever I put her,” Klock said. “She has great foundational athletic ability and jumps at opportunities to play to the highest level, so I believe she will adjust to high school ball well. She has already played volleyball and varsity basketball, so she has some experience coming in.”
With plenty of talent and experience returning, Klock believes her team is poised for another solid season of development and consistent competitive play.
“I am extremely excited for this season,” Klock said. “I believe we have a strong group of girls that want to play for each other and see improvement as the season progresses. I believe our biggest strength is the power we have on the offensive side of the ball. The girls have been putting in the work this off season and I am seeing a lot of great cuts in the cages. We will have a different team this season, but the girls are full of faith, grace and resilience that will allow them to achieve their goals.”
In the circle, Mountain Grove will again look to Dowden and O’Connor to anchor the pitching staff and keep opposing hitters off-balance.
“Hannah had an awesome freshman season,” Klock said. “She has put in more work over the past year to expand what she can do on the mound, and I believe she will reach another level of success this season. Hannah throws a variety of pitches with good velocity producing great results. Payton had significantly less time on the mound last year than her sophomore season, but she has been working hard to see improvement and we believe we can use her arm more this season. She focuses on two different pitches, but her ball spin and change in speed will be her strengths when she throws.”
At the plate, the Panthers will feature a versatile lineup capable of moving baserunners and producing runs on the board.
“Similar to recent years the lineup will be a mix of strength and speed,” Klock said. “We will balance our power hitters with those that can get on base and show off their talent on the base paths. I focus on creating a lineup that aligns with a specific game plan to produce the best offensive results. We will be able to get a base hit, lay down a bunt or play a squeeze situation when necessary.”
Mountain Grove opens its season March 21 at home against Mt. Vernon.
