2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 101

The Hoxie Lady Mustang softball team finished last year with a 16-10 record , a district championship , a regional championship and a state tournament berth . In order for Coach Scott Brown ’ s team to accomplish this again , they ’ ll have to do it in a new conference with several new faces . Even without a lot of experience returning , Coach Brown has some reasons to be optimistic . “ This team is very young without a lot of experience . Our success will be predicated on doing the little things right and making routine plays . We have potential but lack experience ,” Brown explained . Pitcher Mia Orrick returns to the circle for Hoxie , while battery mate Bailey Prater also returns behind the plate . Saydee Pratt , Chloe Prater , and Hannah Riggs all return to the outfield with Riggs able to play some infield as well . Kyleigh Brown , Gracie Felton , Kaylea Nelms , Patricia Russell , and Ashley Winemiller are all new faces that Coach Brown says can contribute in a big way this season . The new look 3A-2 will prove to be a tough softball conference with reigning 2A State Champion Tuckerman moving up and other talented teams , but look for the Lady Mustangs to be in the mix to make the regional tournament in the end . The Hoxie Lady Mustang softball team finished last year with a 16-10 record , a district championship , a regional championship and a state tournament berth . In order for Coach Scott Brown ’ s team to accomplish this again , they ’ ll have to do it in a new conference with several new faces . Even without a lot of experience returning , Coach Brown has some reasons to be optimistic . “ This team is very young without a lot of experience . Our success will be predicated on doing the little things right and making routine plays . We have potential but lack experience ,” Brown explained . Pitcher Mia Orrick returns to the circle for Hoxie , while battery mate Bailey Prater also returns behind the plate . Saydee Pratt , Chloe Prater , and Hannah Riggs all return to the outfield with Riggs able to play some infield as well . Kyleigh Brown , Gracie Felton , Kaylea Nelms , Patricia Russell , and Ashley Winemiller are all new faces that Coach Brown says can contribute in a big way this season . The new look 3A-2 will prove to be a tough softball conference with reigning 2A State Champion Tuckerman moving up and other talented teams , but look for the Lady Mustangs to be in the mix to make the regional tournament in the end .

The Batesville Lady Pioneers finished . 500 in the regular and conference season a year ago , but several close losses kept them from the state tournament . The up and down season saw the Lady Pioneers beat the conference champion and eventual state finalist Greene County Tech , as well as beating or playing with other state qualifying teams . Coach Garrett Eoff hopes to find some consistency this season and will look to two returning pitchers to lead the way . Kaelyn Gooch can pitch , catch , and play third base . Gooch is the leadoff hitter that can hit for contact and power . She hit . 485 last year with three home runs . In the circle , Gooch has good command with a very good changeup . Brylie Simpson is the other pitcher and will play first base . Simpson is a solid hitter , batting . 380 last season , and when she pitches , she has great command with a change of pace and works the strike zone well . Abby Hurley will show off her excellent range and strong arm in centerfield . Hurley hit . 410 with three homeruns a year ago , providing a pop in the Batesville lineup . Hadley Cunningham is another solid hitter that plays shortstop . Cunningham hit . 350 and runs the bases well , scoring a lot of runs for the team . Senior Sophie Poole and junior Ellis Pitts should see more of a consistent starting role this season and provide stability to the line up . Sophomore Kenlee Moran and freshmen Melania Hendrix and Maggie Price will help solidify the defense . Coach Eoff believes there are several keys to the Pioneer season , “ Our keys to success will be our need to not give our opponents extra outs . Getting people out in the 5A east is hard enough and if we make errors defensively , that task will just become tougher . Our strengths will be two returning pictures who can consistently keep us in games . We also will need offensive production up and down the line up to produce consistent results .” Look for Batesville to once again be in the mix in the tough 5A East with a chance to get back to the state tournament .