Lady Eagles Softball Team Features Nine Returning Senior Players

 

This year’s Holden Lady Eagles softball team has been in fall preseason preparation the past couple of weeks for its first competition of the regular season which is represented by pool play games in the Greater Kansas City Tournament on Friday, August 29, followed by bracket games in the tournament on Saturday.

Nine returning senior players headline the Holden Lady Eagles softball team roster of 24 total players this season.

A majority of those senior players return as regular starters from last year’s team that posted an overall record of 17-12, and went 8-2 in MRVC-East games to place second in the conference.

“We will have nine returning seniors from last season,” highlights Holden softball head coach Jeff Smith who enters his sixth season as head coach of the Lady Eagles. “Of those, eight either started or played a huge role in the team last season. Most of the members of this senior class have contributed at the varsity level from their freshman year. They possess a ton of experience and tremendous leadership ability. They have already taken some of the younger players under their wings at practices and are ensuring the future success of Holden softball.”

The top-heavy senior leadership featured on this year’s team looks to carry over into the upcoming season.

“The identity of the team this year will be having experience,” says coach Smith. “Our strengths will be that there will be very few situations in which our starters have not been apart of in the past. Most of these players have been along for conference championships and have been in a district championship game. Defensively, we should be solid everywhere. Most are returners, with just a few spots to fill from seniors last year. I also think that we will be solid offensively one-through-nine. We have good bats returning from last year and some younger additions this season.”

This year’s senior team members include Addy Campbell, Bobbie Diibon, Jazzy Brown, Ady Yoder, Macey Greene, Addi Wooster, Haley Brooks, Liv Wooster, and Drew Turner.

“We will be without Jazzy Brown this season with an injury suffered in basketball last year,” notes coach Smith as Brown looks to help guide the team from the dugout after receiving all-conference, all-district, and all-region honors last year as a junior.
Lone junior year team member Alyssa Agcopra looks to contribute on this year’s squad.

Six sophomore players on the team include Bella Haggard, Haley Waight, Taylor Guinn, Madi Martinez, Brooklynn Anderson, and Jillyan McHenry.

Eight incoming freshman players looking to find their fit on the team include Olivia Jones, Lily Kephart, Addi Brooks, Myah Schwermer, Savana Hurshman, Rylee Honeycutt, Ella Lay, and Kendyl Uhlig.

This year’s senior class of team members looks to step up to take ownership of this year’s team following the loss of graduated players Lilee Keller, Abby Sisk, Lilli Bay, and Jenna McHenry.

“Losing a two-time all-state player in Lilee Keller will leave a very big hole at first base to fill,” says coach Smith. “She was also our best offensive weapon over the last two seasons, hitting around .500 both years.

“Abby Sisk was an all-state player as a sophomore and was our cleanup hitter over the past two seasons,” continued coach Smith. “Her ability to drive in runs will be greatly missed this season. Lilli Bay acted in a utility role over the past couple of seasons, playing the infield and supplying experience for the younger players on the infield. Jenna McHenry was a pinch hitter last season and was able to come in for a couple of crucial situations to deliver for us.”

Coach Smith listed his lineup card of likely starters and players looking for playing time as they look to deliver for the team this season. Assistant coaches Tonya Mallinson and Trent Pritchard return this season to help coach Smith in evaluating and assigning roles on the field as competition for spots plays out.

Senior Liv Wooster moves into the number-one pitcher role this season.

“Liv Wooster will be stepping into a role of pitching most games this year with the injury to Jazzy,” says coach Smith. “She pitched about half of our varsity games last year and had a very good season. Liv will be our primary pitcher with Taylor Guinn, Alyssa Agcopra, and Lily Kephart as other options.”

Senior Haley Brooks and sophomore Bella Haggard return as catchers this season.

Senior Addi Wooster tops the depth chart as a returner to her familiar second base spot with Haley Waight and Addi Brooks set to back up Wooster in the role.

Addi Wooster also enters the mix as a possible first baseman with Haggard and freshman Lily Kephart listed also listed on the depth chart for the first base role.

Senior Addy Campbell is a lock to return to the shortstop position she has held throughout her high school career. Campbell returns for her senior campaign after garnering all-conference, all-district, and all-region honors last season as a junior.
“Addy Campbell will be our primary leader and one of our top defenders and hitters,” says coach Smith. “She has been a huge contributor to this team since her sophomore year. She is the best team leader that I have had the privilege of coaching.”
The third base position looks to be held by senior Bobbie Diibon who logged multiple innings on the left side of the infield last season.

“Bobbie Diibon stepped up last year offensively,” says coach Smith. “She has always been a solid defender, but will be a big bat for us this season as well.”

Senior Macey Greene looks to patrol center field this season with Kephart also listed as a potential center fielder.
Coach Smith reports that left field could be filled by a mix of Liv Wooster, Ady Yoder, and Greene.

When not catching, Haley Brooks will play a familiar role in right field with Yoder set to also play that side of the outfield.
“Haley Brooks will once again be asked to catch and play the outfield,” says coach Smith. “She has been a versatile player for us since she was a freshman. She has also been very consistent with her bat over her last three years.

“Addi Wooster, Bella Haggard, Ady Yoder and Macey Greene will also be solid defenders and be valuable parts of our offense,” adds coach Smith. “Lily Kephart is starting off the season injured, but showed signs of being a high level player for us this season both defensively and offensively.

Likely offensive leaders listed by coach Smith include Addy Campbell, Bobbie Diibon, Haley Brooks, and Addi Wooster.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Bella Haggard and Lily Kephart at the plate as well,” notes coach Smith.

With multiple returners in familiar spots on the field, juniors and sophomores looking for expanded roles, and incoming freshmen looking to gain experience, coach Smith is confident in the potential of this year’s Lady Eagles softball team as it adjusts on the field throughout the season.

“This team will be solid defensively and should really step it up offensively,” says coach Smith. “We will be challenged defensively more than ever before this season. If I were to make up a motto now, it would be ‘Don’t compound mistakes.’ Defensively, we will make some mistakes, but we have to recompose ourselves and not let it lead to a big inning.”

The senior leadership offered by the team elders this season as that leadership transfers down to the underclassmen looks to be a key piece to the success of this year’s team.

“I am most excited about the experience and leadership that we will have on the team this year,” says coach Smith. “I’m also excited to see how the older girls are helping out the younger girls to ensure the future of the program. Fans can expect to see solid defensive play and for us to put up a good amount of runs this year. We should be exciting to watch!”

The Lady Eagles softball team plays its first game of the season on Friday, Aug. 29, at 9:45 a.m. versus Grain Valley in a pool play game at the Greater Kansas City Tournament held at Adair Park in Independence. The Lady Eagles then play Kearney in a pool game at 11:30 on Friday. Bracket games in the GKCT are set to be played Saturday, Aug. 30, with opponents and times determined by final pool play standings.