With a solid core of returning experience and the addition of a big class of freshmen there is great optimism for the Madill fast pitch softball team improving greatly on a year ago.
Head coach Shawn Runyan welcomes back five starters and should get a lift from several talented newcomers. “We have good numbers this year with 16 girls, including our five freshmen,” Runyan commented. “There are definite positives to work with. We have a lot of girls that are eager to compete, get along really well and want to learn. They are getting better and better each time out. I think that progress will continue as the season goes.
“We should be a little faster than we were last year and hopefully be better defensively. With that additional year of maturity for most of them we shouldn’t be rattled as easily. We have been able to limit errors much better during our preseason competition.”
Junior Layne Albright returns to anchor the pitching staff, which will be bolstered by hard-throwing freshman Aubrey Orr.
“We should have a nice onetwo combination,” he said. “Orr plays a lot of travel ball and throws it well. Albright will have more experience with a year under her belt.”
If Orr is not in the pitching circle she will pencil in at the all-important shortstop position with returnee Chloe Miller on the hot corner at third base. Karma Williams is back as the other middle infielder withLannaWigington also returning at first base.
The Lady Wildcats should also be bolstered by the return of Jade Soto at catcher after sitting out last year, forcing Miller to play behind the plate.
Emerson Thomas, the squad’s other returning starter, will be the focal point of the outfield with several freshmen battling for time in the other slots while Runyan attemptstofindacomfortable combination.
Madill will once again be right in the middle of arguably the toughest Class 4A district in the state. They’ll jump right into the heat of it in the season opener at defending state champ Lone Grove on Monday.
“We may be in the toughest district in the state regardless of class,” Runyan added. “We open with the state champions Lone Grove and it’s a gauntlet with three really good teams at the top with them, Plainview and Byng.
“We are hoping to build some confidence with our nondistrict schedule and give it our best shot in those district battles.”