Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1159934
In addition to the two pitchers, McDonald County has four more return- ing starters back, including Whitney Kinser, Rita Santillan, Kristin Cornell and Kaylee Eberley, all entering their senior season. Kinser, a third baseman, hit .352 with 21 RBIs last year while Santillan, a speedy centerfielder, hit .344 with 17 RBIs and 16 stolen bases out of 17 attempts. Santillan earned first-team all confer- ence honors while Kinser was named to the second team. "Whitney will be key in the middle of the lineup for us to score runs," Rawlins said. "She also is a very good third base- man. Rita doesn't let many balls hit the grass in the outfield. Her speed at the top of the lineup is a big advantage, but she can hit with some power too." Eberley and Cornell filled out the outfield last year, but Rawlins said Cornell will possibly be moved to second base making room for returning letterman Emily Emmert and Caitlin Hall in the outfield. Moving in at catcher replacing Helm will most likely be freshman Reagan Myrick. "It's always hard to replace a four-year starter, especially at catcher and one with the talent of Helm, but we think we have a really good one with Reagan," Rawlins said. "She has played a lot of ball and knows what's going on behind the plate. We expect big things from her as a freshman." Rawlins said another key newcomer will be Adyson Leach, who Rawlins said will play shortstop or possibly third base if he decides to move Kinser to short. Rawlins is optimistic for the upcom- ing season, noting that another district and conference championship are the team's goals. Rawlins said Monett, Reeds Spring and Logan-Rogersville will be the Lady Mustangs main rivals for the Big 8 Conference championship. "For us to win consistently we have to throw a lot of strikes and play good defense," Rawlins said. "We think we will be able to swing the bat well enough to score some runs, especially with our speed. Our goal every year is win conference and districts. If we can do those two things and get in the playoffs anything can happen. We would really like to get past sectionals." McDonald County opened its season on Aug. 24 at home, hosting East Newton and Nevada in a three-team jamboree beginning at 10 a.m. The season kicks off for real on Aug. 30 at Carthage. The Lady Mustangs' home opener is set for Sept. 3 against East Newton at 4:30 p.m. Mike Thornton - R.Ph. 704C 59 5-Hwy., Anderson, MO ( next to Town & Country ) 417-845-7799 MUSTANG DRUG Go Mustangs! 845-3913•845-3566 Anderson Missouri B & M TIRE & MUFFLER SERVICE Supporting the Mustangs! 8C McDonald County Press Thursday, August 29, 2019 F a l l S p o r t S p r e v i e w Lady Mustang Softball Roster Varsity Number Name Grade Position 3 Zoe Parish 10 2nd/P 4 Melanie Gilming 10 1st 5 Emily Emmert 12 OF 7 Mariana Salas 10 3rd/C 8 Hannah Padilla 10 OF/P 9 Alexa Hopkins 11 P/IF 10 Reagan Myrick 10 C/IF 12 Kaylee Eberley 12 OF 13 Whitney Kinser 12 3rd 14 Adasyn Leach 10 SS/P 16 Madeline McCall 10 P/IF 17 Rita Santillan 12 OF 20 Catlin Hall 12 OF 21 Madison Grider 10 OF 22 Kristin Cornell 12 OF/2nd 24 Jackie Grider 12 C/IF 26 Deorica Zamora 11 OF Freshman 2 Kya Baisch 9 IF 6 Ashley Dornon 9 OF 11 Kylan Horton 9 IF 15 Maggie Pratt 9 IF/OF 18 Amanda Pacheco 9 IF 19 Kaylee Banta 9 OF 23 Lexi Abbott 9 OF 25 Annalisa Ramirez 9 OF 27 Kaitlin Puckett 9 OF Julia Setzer 9 C RICK PECK/SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Senior members of the 2019 McDonald County High School softball team. Front row, left to right: Kristin Cornell, Whitney Kinser and Emily Emmert. Back row: Rita Santillan, Kaylee Eberley, Jackie Grider and Catlin Hall. CoNtiNued from PaGe 7C Softball: First Home Game Sept. 3