A 2021 state title gave way to a year of youth and inexperience for the Purdy softball team, and the Lady Eagles are looking to use that 16-8 season as a springboard to another late-season run.
Lori Videmschek, Purdy softball coach, said there’s nothing terribly unique about this year’s squad, and they know what competing in a winning program takes.
“They know what they need to do,” she said. “Most of them were on the 2021 state championship team either as a player or a manager, and they know what it takes to win. Our expectations are set high for this team, and they are willing to put the work in to be good.”
Returning to the team is a bevy of starters, including: Jessi Hoppes, an All-State center fielder; All-Conference second baseman Rylee Stanford; All-Conference shortstop Rosa Schad; All-Conference left fielder Brooklynn Bunch; right fielder Raeley Henderson; catcher Zoey Webb; All-Region and All-District first baseman Hadley Hughes; and first baseman Kavery Postlewait, the team’s lone senior.
“I’m returning eight starters from last year,” Videmschek said. “Marlene Villa and Gracie Patton will be competing for starting positions. My newcomers this year are pitcher/third baseman Gabriella Groomer, who will start and be an impact player for us. Serenity Morris will be a utility player for us. Courtney Patterson can see some playing time in both infield and outfield. Kenna Liggett, Grace Logan and Gabby Urbina are freshmen that will be competing every day.”
Videmschek said in the season’s infancy, at 6-2 after two tournaments, the Lady Eagles are focused on little goals.
“We want to compete every pitch and to compete in conference and districts,” she said. “I feel we are better this year overall in all positions. We were so young last year and it showed in the district. So this year, we are better all the way around. Having that one year of experience at the varsity level is huge for us.
“I’m excited to see what this group can do. I feel we can improve everywhere. I know our circle has got to be good for us to compete at a high level.”
Videmschek said looking at the schedule, a couple of the more local contests are highlighted in the Lady Eagles’ minds.
“Mt. Vernon has always been our rival in softball, and we play each other three or four times a year,” she said. “Every time we play them, it is always going to be a good game. Exeter is our other rival. We play them in districts, and it is always a good game.”
Beyond those contests, Videmschek said Purdy plays a challenging schedule.
“Our schedule is so tough if you look at it, and the first eight games are with Diamond, Mt. Vernon, Strafford, Sarcoxie and Forsythe. We usually will play Diamond and Mt. Vernon twice with back-to-back tournaments. The first two tournaments are loaded and we will get to see where we are at.”
The Lady Eagles fared well in those games, defeating Adrian, Pierce City and Sarcoxie in the Joplin Area Tournament, hosted by Purdy, and went threefor- three over Diamond, Forsyth and East Newton to win the Mt. Vernon Tournament.
The SWCL Tournament was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and the Lady Eagles are back in action on the road Thursday against Blue Eye.
