Although they posted just a 7-21 record as a team, two Madill Lady Wildcats have received enough recognition to earn scholarship offers next year.
SeniorsDahliaMorrisand Ireland Groeber will each be taking their talents to the next level after signing letters of intent last week. Morris is headed to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami while Groeber will be just up the road at Murray State College.
Each of the Lady Wildcat standouts finished their careers by notching batting averages of right around .400 atMadill.Bothwerecatalysts both on and off the field as multi-year starters.
Morris pitched and played shortstop for the Lady Wildcats, leading the team in hits both her sophomore and senior seasons.
Groeber meanwhile was a prototype utility player that played a plethora of positions including third base, shortstop and outfield. She led the team in hits and batting average as a junior.
“Dahlia was solid defensively every time she stepped on the field and kept us in a ton of games,” head coach Jared Hayes said. “She is a very hard worker and puts the time in not only during school practice but outside of practices as well and is extremely coachable.
“Ireland did whatever was asked of her and was pretty good at everything. She is a very hard worker as well and put in a ton of extra time anytime we were not playing or practicing.”
Morris should have a chancetomakeanimmediate impact at NEO, where the Lady Norse posted a 29-25 record a year ago but lost both games in the Region 2 playoffs.
Groeber meanwhile will join a stacked unit at Murray State that has been to the World Series four straight years including a pair of top three finishes in that span.
They will definitely leave big shoes to fill for the Lady Wildcats next year.
“ Both girls were outstanding players for us and will be extremely missed and hard to replace,” Hayes commented. “I think they left a good example of how much hard work and dedication it takes to succeed on and off the field. It was pretty awesome getting to watch them grow the last three years and I cannot wait to see them continue that at the next level.”