Having been practicing as a team since Labor Day, really turning up the intensity of workouts in recent months, the Siloam Springs softball team is ready to start the 2015 season, according to second-year head coach Scott Wright.
"These girls have worked excessively hard this year on not only softball but also physical strength, training and conditioning," Wright said. "They are definitely ready to play.
"It's funny, once you get to a certain point, you can always see the kids are ready for something different besides practice. Our girls are definitely there, but that's a good thing, and I say that's a good thing because that tells me they're ready to play."
The Lady Panthers are scheduled to open their season at 5 p.m. Monday against Pea Ridge at La-Z-Boy Sports Complex.
The Lady Panthers went 8-22 last season and 0-14 in the 7A/6A-West. The season ended with Siloam Springs losing their last 12 games.
"Our girls got a lot of great experience and just about every player on our team is back from last year," Wright said.
The Lady Panthers return their battery of sophomore pitcher Crissa Spry and junior catcher Morgan Curtis.
Spry, as a freshman, pitched 42 innings and won four games in the circle for Siloam Springs. She has improved tremendously in the offseason, Wright said.
Spry won't have to shoulder all of the pitching load, either. Sophomore Hannah Evans is also expected to see time in the circle after she missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.
"We believe she's going to have a big impact," Wright said of Evans.
Curtis, an All-State player in 2014, hit two home runs with 10 RBIs on a .418 batting average. As a freshman in 2013, Curtis hit .419 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. She's slated to start at catcher, but can also play shortstop or the outfield.
"She's very valuable," Wright said of Curtis. "She's been our starting catcher and has a lot of valuable experience behind the plate, and she can also play shortstop and has played in the field as well."
Freshman Morgan Vaughn is expected to help at catcher once she joins the team after basketball season.
Junior Shayla Simmons, who had 12 RBIs last year, returns at first base for the Lady Panthers and can also pitch in an emergency situation. Heidi Fernandez, Larissa Tillery and Summer Vaughan are all vying for time at second base.
When Spry is not pitching, she can play shortstop, while Fernandez, Vaughn and Curtis can also play the position. Evans, Spry and Morgan Pack can all play third base. Pack, the team's only senior, played at Siloam Springs as a sophomore before moving to Virginia her junior year. She returned to the team this year. Pack can also play all three outfield positions.
Ally Bunch, a starter in left field last year, and Kenlie Noel are also listed as outfielders and can play all three spots.
Wright said Yasmine Alfaro, Kristen Barnett and Vaughan could help in the outfield.
"We've got some potential newcomers we think can fill some roles that will be crucial toward the end of the season," Wright said.
The Lady Panthers will move into the 7A/6A-Central Conference this year and need to finish in the top three of the 6A teams along with Greenwood, Alma and Russellville, in order to make the playoffs. The Class 6A State Softball Tournament will be played in Marion on May 14-16.
"We've got an opportunity to go play in a very competitive conference again," Wright said.
Wright said he believed 7A school Bryant was the best overall team in the conference, though Russellville might have the best pitcher. He said Greenwood, Van Buren and Conway are all very good, while Alma and Mount St. Mary are tough teams.
"I feel like we'll be able to compete as well," Wright said. "Every game is going to be a dog fight, but I feel like our girls are battle-tested and ready to compete in this conference."
Sports on 02/25/2015