By Chris Parker
Fair Grove softball went 20-5 last season to make it three straight seasons with at least 19 wins.
This year’s team has all the pieces to extend that streak to four.
“One of our biggest strengths is going to be our experience,” Fair Grove head coach Bill Voorhis said. “Several of our girls play for very successful travel teams and they bring that experience and excitement with them to school ball season.”
It starts in the circle with a pair of pitchers in Aubrie Voorhis (junior) and Charli Stokes (sophomore) returning.
“Aubrie is a returning all-conference and district pitcher from last season. She is a groundball pitcher who doesn’t walk people and forces the defense to put the ball in play. She has good movement on several pitches and is very mentally tough,” Coach Voorhis said. “Charli got a chance to pitch in few big games last year. Her fast ball has pop and isn’t afraid of anyone in the circle.”
Aubrie Voohris threw 99.1 innings with 68 strikeouts and a 1.97 ERA. At the plate, she had a .915 OPS. Stokes pitched 35.1 innings with 35 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA.
Shayla Haddock will be behind the plate catching. Addison Voorhis (junior 1B), Hali Stokes (senior SS) and Brenna Boatwright (senior 3B) will be on the infield. Stokes (LF) and Addyson Nunley (senior CF) will be in the outfield.
Haddock was the team’s top hitter with a .556 batting average and 1.595 OPS with 27 RBI and 24 runs scored. Stokes and Addison Voorhis brought the power with each hitting five home runs with 32 and 29 RBI, respectively. Each had an OPS over 1.000 at 1.448 and 1.316, respectively.
Boatwright and Nunley each had an OPS of 1.131.
The seniors will provide leadership.
“They (the seniors) are well respected by the entire team and all of them are legit softball girls,” Coach Voorhis said. “All of them could play at the next level however thee of them have already committed to play softball in college.”
Several players have shown improvement in various areas.
“Addison Voorhis has improved her defensive game a lot this off season. She will give us some flexibility on the infield to find the best fit for our team,” Coach Voorhis said. “Brenna Boatwright has improved a lot this offseason with her approach at the plate. She is extremely disciplined at plate. Hali Stokes, Shayla Haddock and Addyson Nunley have made major strides in the weight room this off season, I expect that to translate into increased power at the plate.”
Fair Grove opens the season on Mar. 21 at the Strafford Tournament.
“I want our identity to be one of a team that battles every inning and every at bat. I want us to be aggressive on the bases and at the plate as well,” Voorhis said. “I expect our team to be very competitive in every game and hopefully be in the mix at the end of the year for a championship.”
