By Chad Hayworth (for OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Purdy Lady Eagles return all but three starters from a district title winning team in 2025, including their best pitcher and hitter, Gabby Groomer.
Groomer, a senior, amassed a 20-8 record last year with a 2.68 ERA. In 154 1/3 innings pitched, she struck out 309 batters against just 35 walks. At the plate, she led Purdy with a .432 batting average, with 32 hits, 33 runs scored and 31 RBI, while also leading the team with six home runs.
“We go with G,” said coach Lori Videmschek. “When she is on, she is a handful. At the plate she can get on base and give us 10-12 strikeouts while pitching. That gives us good odds for being in every game.”
Two spots that the Lady Eagles will need to fill are at short stop and behind the plate, though there is some experience on the team to help fill those roles, Videmschek said.
“Some of it will be putting kids back into their original spots,” she said. “For example, Lauren Brooks has played third for us the past two years, but she is really a catcher.”
Brooks hit .387 a season ago, with 26 hits, including nine doubles, and 21 RBI.
“She’s another power hitter,” Videmschek said. “A lot of teams don’t want to pitch to Gabby, but then they have to face Lauren.”
If Brooks moved back behind the plate, that would open up third base for freshman Sophie Tyson, Videmschek said.
At first base Andie Vineyard returns, having hit .281. At second, Chloe Prock is also an established starter, hitting .315 with 11 stolen bases.
In the outfield, centerfielder Shelbie Patterson was tied for second behind two seniors for the most stolen bases on the team with 13. She hit .307 with 11 RBI.
Left fielder Keirsten Postlewait contributed 20 RBI while hitting .235.
A couple of players that didn’t play a season ago could have an immediate impact, Videmschek said. Courtney Patterson could take over in right field, while Allison Lopez will be looking for a spot in the lineup that allows her power at the plate to show through.
“We have both speed on the bases and power at the plate,” Videmschek said. “I’m really excited about it and the kids are ready to see what we can do.”
A powerhouse in recent years, Purdy won their district for the first time since 2021 before falling to Lockwood in the state tournament. Going back to 2015, the Lady Eagles have won seven district titles and finished second at state, along with a state title in 2021.
Videmschek designs Purdy’s schedule to prepare for a playoff run. The Lady Eagles host a season opening tournament in Joplin starting March 20, which includes some of the best teams in the state, including Concordia, New Madrid Central, Lockwood, Liberal and others.
“Then we are in the Mt. Vernon tournament, which includes Diamond, Buffalo, Strafford, Forsyth and Catholic,” she said. “It’s another loaded tournament. We could come out those two tournaments 2-8, or 5-5 or 8-2. What it really does is lets us see what we need to do to get better.”
The Lady Eagles will also travel to the Bootheel to face reigning Class 2 state champs Kennett and Doniphan at the Kennett Slugfest.
“There is a reason we play those teams, and the Diamonds and East Newtons,” she said. “They are all bigger and stronger, but we can compete with them.”
