Softball team returns key veterans

The Siloam Springs softball team broke through in 2016 with one of its best seasons in more than a decade.

The Lady Panthers won 16 games and earned a Class 6A State Tournament berth where it was defeated 4-1 by Lake Hamilton in the opening round.

Siloam Springs graduated all-state catcher Morgan Curtis and will sorely miss her bat in the lineup after she produced six home runs, 27 RBIs and .507 batting average.

But Siloam Springs also returns four solid players and a bevy of newcomers that fourth-year head coach Scott Wright believes has plenty of potential.

"We've got four kids coming back with tons of experience," said Wright, who's 29-53 in his first three seasons. "They've been in the trenches and fought the battles. We're looking for these four to catapult our team to the next level. Obviously we've got to stay healthy. That's a big key as well. We're not looking at wins and losses. We just want to execute well every time we step on the field. We want to get better at the plate, on the field and in the circle."

The four veteran returners are seniors Crissa Spry, Hannah Evans, Yazmine Alfaro and junior Kenlie Noel.

Spry -- a four-year starter in the circle for the Lady Panthers -- signed with Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College in November. She went 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 140.2 innings. Offensively Spry hit .434 (36 for 83) with six home runs and 29 RBIs.

"You can't manufacture that kind of experience," Wright said. "She's one of top the pitchers in 6A. She brings a lot to the table for us. We know she's capable of doing a lot of things. It's not just her playing. Her leadership is going to be a big factor for us."

Spry will likely bat leadoff or in the No. 3 hole for the Lady Panthers, and wherever she hits she'll be protected by the bat of Evans, the Lady Panthers' slugging third baseman.

Evans has started the last two seasons for Siloam Springs, and in 2016 she hit .338 with five home runs and 27 RBIs on her way to a 7A/6A-Central All-Conference selection.

"She's been fantastic," Wright said of Evans. "She's one of the top third basemen in 6A. She gives us a lot on the field and at plate. Her leadership will be a big part in us being successful this year. Hopefully she'll be able to do it for us. She'll bat middle of the order."

Alfaro, an outfielder, could be asked to play many different roles for the Lady Panthers after playing most of 2016 in left field. She can play left or center field and pitch from time to time. Alfaro had a one home and 17 RBIs in 2016.

"She's another one we're looking for big things from," Wright said. "Yaz had a good year last year and she's gotten a lot better at the plate. She has good speed and a really good glove. We're looking for big things from Yaz."

Noel, who's a cheerleader and a basketball player, is one of the best athletes the Lady Panthers has. Ideally, she would patrol center field for Siloam Springs, but Wright said she'll most likely be needed at first base.

Noel hit .250 with a home run and 11 RBIs last season as a sophomore.

"She's a fantastic outfielder and can be really good at first base for us," Wright said. "She can back us up at catcher and she can pitch a bit if we get in a jam. She has the potential to bat in the top of the order as well.

"She's got good speed and has really matured. She can go over her head and make catches. It's hard to find somebody of that caliber. We're expecting a lot of things out of her."

In addition to the four veterans, the Lady Panthers will have to mix in some fresh faces in the lineup.

Rachel Mann, the daughter of former Siloam Springs head coach Karen Mann, will take over at catcher for Curtis.

"We believe Rachel is going to be a really good fit back there," Wright said. "She's taken to the position really well. She's got a good head on her shoulders and she and Crissa work really well together."

Sophomore Aislyn Burchette takes over at second base, while freshman Sydney Smith is penciled in as the Lady Panthers' starting shortstop.

Both Burchette and Smith have travel ball experience in the summer.

"We feel very comfortable with them in those positions," Wright said.

Senior Maranda Guntharp can play either corner outfield position and is going to bat in the middle of the order for Siloam Springs.

Freshman Ericka Galloway is another outfield prospect for the Lady Panthers along with sophomore Allison Hook, Makenzie McGinnis and freshman Bailey Moore.

Junior Danielle Boyster will likely be the Lady Panthers' designated player, who has shown an improved bat in the preseason.

The Lady Panthers compete in the 5A/6A District 1 conference along with 6A teams Greenwood and Russellville and 5A schools Alma, Clarksville, Farmington and Harrison.

As part of the 7A/6A-Central in 2016, the Lady Panthers split with Greenwood, Russellville and Alma. Farmington has been a traditionally strong team, and Wright said Harrison is going to be better.

"It's going to be competitive," he said.

The wild card, he said, is Clarksville.

"Clarksville we don't know what to expect," Wright said. "We're going to play them in a doubleheader and have to be ready to play."

Along with their conference schedule, the Lady Panthers will play 7A schools Rogers Heritage, Fayetteville and Bentonville West, defending 6A champion Sheridan and a rematch with Lake Hamilton.

"We feel like that the key for us this season is just to keep our focus and keep getting better," Wright said. "I think we've done a good job of balancing offseason and practices and keeping them mentally fresh. We're a little bit hungry. We're excited to play. So far the chemistry is really good. During practices our girls work really hard. They're not messing around. They're focused."

The Lady Panthers are scheduled to play an Arkansas Activities Association benefit game at Rogers High on Thursday before opening the season Tuesday at Rogers Heritage.