The Southwest softball team endured abnormal challenges this year, welcoming a new coach and unable to play at its new field, but the Lady Trojans still came out ahead.
Emily Snyder, in her first season as a head coach, skippered Southwest to an 8-12 record and a positive outlook for seasons to come.
Snyder said the goal this year was always to build a foundation in the team and with skills.
“[We wanted to] deepen the knowledge of the game through mechanics and advance specifically in ball IQ,” she said. “The Lady Trojans achieved these goals by the end of the season, and as the summer is approaching, the progress made will certainly only continue to grow and develop.”
Southwest won four of its last six regular season games, but the season came to a close in the first round of the Class 2, District 6 Tournament in a 17-2 loss to district champion and Missouri Class 2 No. 4-ranked Mt. Vernon.
Snyder said as the season progressed, one of its greatest achievements was coming together as a team.
“To begin a season with two new coaches, the major goal was by the end of the season to become one to play the game of softball well,” she said. “By the end of the season, the Lady Trojans developed a team atmosphere all the while advancing in the game of softball. Of course, I can always see places where the team could have improved and advanced more in the game. Specifically, I would say to just gaining a deeper understanding of the game both IQ and mechanically. Mentioned earlier, this season was a “growth season,” and with that being said, the girls worked through so much adversity. For example, we did not have a consistent field as our facility was under construction, so at the plate, we struggled. Next season, I predict our numbers will increase significantly and the Lady Trojans will be able to see the ball better at the plate.”
While Southwest won eight games this season, Snyder said it was a 2-1 loss that was one of the biggest highlights.
“Personally, I think what defines a great game of softball is when the score is close to a good team and where both teams are improving in the game,” she said. “This game happened for us when playing Crane this season. However, the outcome did not come out in our favor. During this game, the Lady Trojans began to play to their ability through hard work and grit. These attributes are exactly what myself and Coach Johnica Jones have coached all season, and that coming into play was super exciting to watch.”
Six seniors led the Lady Trojans this season, and Snyder had kind words about each and their efforts.
“Alli Fosse, center fielder, was a leader on and off the field for the Lady Trojans — there is no doubt she left it all out on the field,” Snyder said. “Allie wanted to win so badly, and that determination spread throughout the team. Anna Church, catcher, was another great leader that will be missed. Again, Anna was the voice of the team and exemplified in every game how to work harder and harder no matter the situation of the game. Jordyn Martin, third base, saw a lot of improvement within the game this season on and off the field. she was always very receptive to the mechanical tweaks I gave her, which embodied a lot of humbleness for the underclassmen to look after.
“Ali Shrum, left fielder, always had a smile on her face and was willing to work hard in order to have a sport on the varsity field. Even as a senior, Ali never acted as if her spot was solidified, which embodied for me such a great work ethic. Haven Jarman, right fielder and left fielder, was not a starter but such a great leader for the underclassmen to follow after. It’s not often you have a senior calling you after practice to make sure everything was picked up. These characteristics of Haven embodied such a great work ethic and a great leader.”
With so many roles to fill on the field, Snyder said next year’s squad will have to not only fill those, but improve in them.
“This summer, we plan to break the game down mechanically, and grow individually,” Snyder said. “Incoming seniors Alissa Russell, Alexis Raucstadt and Kayla Hendrix will continue to grow in the field and at the plate. I expect these three to be great leaders for the Lady Trojans. Additionally, we have a huge junior class coming up with Raeli Miles (first base), Kaleigh Tull (pitcher), Riley Flippo ( catcher/ shortstop), Rebecca Swanepoel, Addison Keates, Addison Cotton, Piper King and Ivy Anderson — all of which I know will only continue to grow in the game of softball.
“Finally, we will have a great group of sophomores like Jacee Durossette, who started for the Lady Trojans as our second baseman, and other great players like Shayla Burns, Abigail Callison, Kindred Durossette, Marissa Freeman and Brianna Hoover. Additionally, I am expecting a great group of freshman ready to step to the plate and work hard for me this summer and in the spring.”
Battling some adversity all season, Snyder said the goals set at the beginning of the season were largely met.
“To reflect on the season we had, I believe both goals (learning the game and building a team foundation) were achieved,” she said. “The goal of course is to be competitive and win ball games, and we were able to accomplish that as well, as the season continued. This next season, my goals for the Lady Trojans is to add more competitive teams to the schedule and continue to develop in the game of softball throughout the summer and into the spring. Additionally, we want to continue to build that team foundation that I have mentioned so many times.”
Snyder said she enjoyed her first year as a head coach, and it would not have been possible without her assistant’s help.
“As this was my first year coach, it has been an absolute blessing to get to know these girls and fall back in love with the game that I fell in love with several years ago,” she said. “Additionally, I would like to thank my Assistant Coach Johnica Jones for all the knowledge and help she gave me this season, as my first season in the game would not have been possible without her help and advice.”
