FALL PREVIEW: Park Hill South Softball

Park Hill South softball comes back in 2012 with its core from a 2011 team that went 14-13 overall and 8-4 in conference play. While there are certainly some of the same faces on the diamond for the Panthers this season, they hope the results will exceed last season’s and meet the higher expectations that come with one more year of development.

“We’re very experienced, a lot of varsity experience returning,” head coach Josh Walker said. “I would also say the chemistry wasn’t as good last year as it is this year.”

Returning for the Panthers are a number of varsity letter winners including Jessica Lee, Sarah Nelson, Madison Price, and Alyx Hagen. Sydney Minnis, Courtney Jackson, and Kylie DeClue will contribute as well. They will lean early on their most experienced players in Courtney Todd, Courtney Land, Mallory Land, and Jordin Woodward, a group Walker says he’ll use to build around with a number of talented players.

“I’m going to look for those four to lead us,” Walker said. “We’re got some speed we can put throughout the order and a couple younger players who could easily start varsity.”

The one thing Park Hill South needs to bring it all together is strong and consistent pitching. They could see that from several different contributors as four freshmen saw varsity time in the ring last year. Price, Hagen, and Jackson along with Julia Switlik all bring a certain strength to the Panther rotation, which Walker says could be used at anytime.

“If our pitching comes through we’ve got a shot. They all bring something to the table and are very good at what they bring. They are so different, I can see them all doing something for the varsity this year,” Walker said. “It’s good for situational use and matchups, but we’re not going to overcoach and do things when we don’t need to. If someone is on a role we’re going to go with them.”

Offensively, the Panthers struggled with consistency last year; something Walker believes will have developed and matured with one more year of practice.

“We didn’t have all of our hitters on at the same time last year,” Walker said. “We just weren’t consistent enough. I think we have a better shot at that this year.”

Truman and Park Hill are considered the conference favorites in the eyes of the Panthers. That is, until someone knocks them off, which they hope to be able to compete against and accomplish. They jump start the season with the Joplin Tournament where they’ll play several high quality teams they went 2-3 against last year.