By Chris Parker
Blue Eye softball returns eight players who saw starting action on last season’s three-win team.
“We expect this season to be much improved from last season,” Blue Eye head coach Michael Horn said. “We have much more overall team speed and athleticism, and we hope to be able to translate that onto the field. We are also much more experienced this year. We started a lot of first-time starters last season, and they learned a lot from just being on the field in game situations.”
Senior Mia Stricker and junior Meleah Mitchell will see most of the innings pitching with junior Emma Hixon and sophomore Emily Thompson-Krug also competing for time pitching.
Annistin Craig spilt time at catcher as a freshman last season. She will see most of the time at catcher this season. Freshman Alyssa Dickelman will provide depth at the position.
Ella White (senior 3B), Emma Hixon (junior SS/3B), Mekinlee Spinning (freshman SS), Cassidy Magee (junior 2B/1B), Stricker (1B) and Mitchell (1B) are all options on the infield.
Thompson-Krug (LF), Kinsleigh Vest (sophomore, CF) and Stricker (RF) are all looking for time in the outfield.
Horn is looking to a group of five upperclassmen for leadership.
“Our seniors Ella White and Mia Stricker and juniors Cassidy Magee, Emma Hixon, and Meleah Mitchell will be looked upon to be our veteran leaders,” Horn said. “They are all very capable and good role models for the younger players.”
One of the biggest things Horn wants to see this year is for his team to play hard at all times.
“I want our team to be known for their passion, pride, and work ethic, and how hard they play the game,” Horn said. “We like to call it the ‘Dirtbag Mentality’ that we carry over from the baseball side. If they leave the field with clean uniforms, they aren’t happy.”
Blue Eye opens the season on Mar. 24 at home against Seymour.
“I see our passion for playing hard and playing with heart as our biggest strength,” Blue Eye head coach Michael Horn said. “This group of girls is special. They just show up every day and work hard and do whatever is asked of them. Assistant coach Jessica Fugitt was the named the Missouri Class 1 Assistant Coach of the Year this preseason, and she brings a tremendous amount of energy, positivity, and pride in being a Lady Bulldog to the team, and the girls all really feed off of that. She’s a huge part of this team.”
