Lady Tiger softball team returns veteran squad
Led by five, third-year sophomores, the Cowley College softball team will enter the 2021 season with a veteran lineup that hopes to capture the conference title for the third time in four seasons. In order to do so, the Lady Tigers will have to overcome a pair of talented teams in Johnson County and Highland as Cowley was picked third in the Jayhawk East preseason conference poll.
Cowley returns three pitchers from last season to go along with freshman pitcher Sydni Williams from Wichita, KS. Williams will provide the team with a big arm on the mound and at the plate. When not pitching she will be in the mix for playing time at first base or designated hitter.
The team's top-returning pitcher from each of the past two seasons, Ashlynn Mercer won 16 games and posted an earned run average of 3.20 during the 2019 season and was 6-6 with a 4.14 ERA during the 2020 season. The sophomore will anchor the Lady Tigers' pitching staff.
Brooke Mason is another returning pitcher that tossed the second most innings on the team in 2020. She went 4-5 with a 5.28 ERA. When not pitching she may see playing time in the outfield.
"It is huge for us to have Ashlynn and Brooke back," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said. "We have got to have good arms in the circle in order to win."
Sophia Martin also returns after having the lowest earned run average on the Lady Tigers' pitching staff in the shortened 2020 season. Martin appeared in eight games as a freshman and had an ERA of 3.07.
On the diamond, speedster Paige Hughes was having an outstanding 2020 season before it came to a halt. She led the Lady Tigers in hits (26), batting average (.413), on base percentage (.493), and was leading the nation in stolen bases (25).
"We will look for Paige to be a leader for us in the outfield and around the top of the batting order," Hoyt said.
A First Team All-Conference selection as a freshman, Christian Wind was off to another solid start before the 2020 season was suspended as she batted .295 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. She will make the move from the infield to catcher to help provide more leadership behind the plate.
"Christian has developed a good relationship with our pitchers," Hoyt said.
Elizabeth Luttrell is a hard-hitting infielder that was off to a terrific start to the 2020 season as she led the Lady Tigers with six home runs and was second on the squad in RBIs (16) and batting average (.412).
Micah North was another player that was off to a strong start to the 2020 season, batting .333 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. She will be counted on to be one of the team's leaders.
While, Alivia Lange is a utility player that hit three home runs and drove in 15 in 17 games played during the shortened 2020 season. She will likely be used more behind the plate than in the outfield.
Other returning players on the roster are, Brylea Teufel, Dezmen Duncan, Payton Schoenfeld, and Taylor Anglen.
"The returning players know what we expect in the program, so their leadership will be huge," Hoyt said.
Hoyt is excited about the freshmen she has added to the program to go along with the returning players.
"We have added some very talented freshmen that can play multiple positions," Hoyt said.
Freshman Cierah Jones of Kellyville, OK, is a solid middle infielder that will play either shortstop or second base and provide the team with a strong bat. While, Kayla McClellan from Union High School in Tulsa, OK, will also be counted on to drive in runs.
Other new faces on the roster are, Tye North, Tatyana Curry, Heidi Snell, Mya Chapman, Bree Chapman, Shelby Winfield, Maggie Musson, Tobie Bellew, Macy McCully, and Morgan Smith.
"I like the versatility of this group," Hoyt said. "We have stressed playing good defense behind our pitchers and will be better defensively this season."
Cowley has scheduled 20 non-conference games before opening play in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.
"We will see some good competition to prepare us for conference play," Hoyt said. "Conference will be a challenge, but we have the confidence with the players we have brought into the program that we should be at the top of the pack."