By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
After last season saw Strafford endure just its second losing season over the past 10 years, the Lady Indians will rely on five multi-year starters for what they feel will be a bounce-back season this spring.
Kenna Munhollon, Dalyce Scrivener, Kayliegh Lexa, Karsen Comstock and Lucy Reeves offer plenty of reasons for hope.
However, a change in Munhollon’s role will be one of the top storylines for Strafford. The past two years, she was the Lady Indians’ primary pitcher and was a Mid-Lakes Second-Team selection last season.
“Kenna has done a great job (pitching). Unfortunately, she has experienced a setback and will be unable to pitch due to injury,” Lady Indians coach Dale Bean said. “She will still contribute in the lineup and defensively around the field. She’s working hard to stay involved and contribute in other areas.”
Taking over for Munhollon in the center circle will be Lexa. She’s proven her versatility before and Bean is confident she can assume Stafford’s pitching duties and also make an impact at-bat.
“Kayliegh has been a true utility player for us since day one and has consistently done a great job,” Bean said. “She’ll be asked to carry a heavy load this season, pitching significant innings while also contributing in the lineup and filling in around the infield when she’s not in the circle.”
Scrivener, a catcher, will look to again carry a big bat in Strafford’s lineup. She led the Lady Indians last season in home runs and RBIs and was named to the Mid-Lakes First-Team.
“Dalyce came on strong offensively last year,” Bean said. “We’re looking forward to seeing that type of production again, along with her contributions behind the plate and in other defensive spots as needed.”
Cornstock enters her third season as Strafford’s first baseman.
“Karsen continues to improve each year,” Bean said, “She looks more comfortable defensively and is swinging the bat with more confidence. We’re excited to see how her senior season unfolds.”
Reeves will be a leader in the outfield.
“Lucy brings great energy, a positive personality and a hard-working mindset,” Bean said. “We’re looking forward to seeing her continue to grow.”
Bean labeled last season as a transitional year. He noted 12 of Strafford’s 15 losses came against teams that were ranked statewide and feels the experience will serve this season’s team well.
“Overall, I believe we met and at times exceeded our pre-season expectations (last year),” Bean said. “More importantly, we laid a strong foundation for the future. There’s a lot to be excited about heading into this season.”
He’s been thrilled to see 17 players consistently report for pre-season workouts.
Bean figures the Lady Indians have enough depth that his starting lineup will vary from week to week, if not game to game.
“We’ll have several players rotating through the infield,” he said. “That’s something we’ve discussed as a team. Everyone understands they need to be ready, not just to play multiple positions, but to excel at them. “We expect this group to be adaptable, fundamentally sound and steady defensively.
“Our infield will be very versatile, with pitchers often moving to infield spots when they’re not in the circle,” he added. “There can be a domino effect defensively.”
In addition to Munhollon, Lexa and Cornstock, infielders include Braelyn Richardson, Sarah Canales and Kaelyn Rhodes. Rhodes was a Mid-Lakes First-Team pick a year ago.
In the outfield, Jayden Onore will move from left field to center field and Avary Davis moves from first base to the outfield.
Onore will also fill in as a pitcher.
“Jayden has great speed, tracks the ball well and made several impressive plays for us last season. We expect her to make a smooth transition. We believe she has the athleticism to make that move successfully,” Bean said. “We’ll continue evaluating options for the other corner outfield spot. We feel confident we have several players who can compete for that position.”
With so many returning starters, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Lady Indians feel their unity will be a top strength.
“This group genuinely supports one another,” Bean said. “They play hard, they care about each other and they represent our program the right way. That combination makes them both enjoyable to coach and difficult to play against.”
Newcomers are Sarah Canales, Braelyn Richardson, Kaelyn Rhodes, Avary Davis and Abbi Thompson.
Strafford averaged 9.0 runs a game last season, but Bean thinks that number can go up.
“One key area we need to improve is situational execution on offense, especially hitting with runners in scoring position and doing the little things to move runners over,” he said. “Those small details can make a big difference in close games.
“A major area of focus is to be able to finish games better,” he added. “Whatever the cause may be, we need to find a way to finish strong.”
Strafford will be out to contend for the Mid-Lakes championship.
“We hope to continue being competitive in the Mid-Lakes,” Bean said. “One team we struggled against was Fair Grove, and we’re focused on being more competitive in those matchups this season.”
