Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/863760
Thursday, August 24, 2017 McDonald County Press 11C F a l l S p o r t S p r e v i e w Martinez is battling for an outfield spot and could see some action as a desig- nated hitter. The elephant in the room for the Lady Mustangs is the loss of Paige Jones in the pitching circle. Jones had 18 of the Lady Mustangs' 20 wins last season while striking out 157 in 149.3 innings. She shut- out Republic in McDonald County's 1-0 win over Republic in the district cham- pionship game. But Rawlins has a trio of right-handers ready to take over for Jones, including Kaylee Cornell who had the other two wins for the Lady Mustangs last year. Freshman Alexa Hopkins has impressed during the summer and preseason while Chloe Colvin also pitches in addition to playing shortstop. "We are not going to be able to replace Paige right away," Rawlins said. "Alexa (Hopkins) is going to throw a lot of innings for us. She has a chance to be pretty good. Chloe (Colvin) and Kaylee (Cornell) are also going to get some innings and help us out throughout the year." Rawlins said that if his inexperienced pitchers can keep the Lady Mustangs in games, the offense will be able to score some runs. "If they can give us enough good innings, we should be able to play good defense and swing the bats well enough to win some ball games," Rawlins said. "Of course we want to be playing our best ball at the end of the year. Our goal is always to win conference, but even if we don't the great thing is you still have a chance to do a lot of things we want to do. That is to win a district championship and to move on in the state playoffs." The Lady Mustangs face an away- loaded schedule this year, with only six home games, including the home opener set for Aug. 31 against Aurora. PHOTO BY RICK PECK Senior members of the 2017 Lady Mustangs softball team. From left to right: Miryan Martinez, Bekah Hitt (manager), Kenzie Stephens and Cloee Helm. Girls 9-12 softball schedule DAY DATE OPPONENT LEVEL HOME/AWAY TIME Wednesday Aug. 12 Softball Jamboree Var/JV Home 10 a.m. Tuesday Aug. 22 Nevada Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 24 Neosho High School Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Aug. 25-26 Joplin Tournament Varsity Away TBA Monday Aug. 28 Carthage High School Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 31 Aurora High School Var/JV Home 5 p.m. Friday Sept. 1 Nixa Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Thursday Sept. 7 Seneca Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 12 Joplin High School Var/JV Home 5 p.m. Thursday Sept. 14 Marshfield Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Sept. 16-17 Branson Tournament Varsity Away TBA Monday Sept. 18 Lamar Var/JV Home 5 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 19 Cassville High School Var/JV Horne 5 p.m. Thursday Sept. 21 East Newton Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Saturday Sept. 23 Carthage JV Tourney Jr. Varsity Away TBA Monday Sept. 25 Webb City High School Var/JV Home 5 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 26 Monett High School Var/JV Home 5 p.m. Thursday Sept. 28 Republic High School Var/JV Away 5 p.m. Sept. 29-30 Republic JV Tournament Jr. Varsity Away TBA Sept. 29-30 Carthage Tournament Varsity Away TBA Oct. 2-7 District Varsity Away TBA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8C SOFTBALL: Team Faces An Away- Loaded Schedule; Only Six Home Games Seat Belts Save Lives- BUCKLE UP!