Every summer, prep fall sports teams set their goals for the season, but not many achieve those goals in the same fashion as the Cassville softball team — making history.
The Lady Wildcats finished the season at 16-15 and Class 3, District 6 champions after a 7-6 walk-off win over Doniphan. Cassville’s season came to an end in the state quarterfinals, falling 14-0 to eventual state champion Fatima (35-4).
“What a year we had,” said Lori Videmschek, Cassville softball coach. “Expectations are always set on winning a district championship, and we have had our chances the last two years — this year, we did it. I am super proud of the kids and how hard they played. They keep working hard every pitch and never gave up. Every kid brought something special to this team.”
Since taking on the skipper role for Cassville in 2018, Videmschek has pushed the team to build a new culture, learning how to support one another, how to win and how to have fun. Though it took three district title attempts, Videmschek said that multi-year effort is paying off.
“I talk to them about changing the culture to have the mentality to win and know how to compete and play in that moment,” she said. “We did that in districts, coming from behind against Seneca and Doniphan. They never gave up. I saw them grow and improve and have fun with the game. That was one thing I told them to enjoy what they are doing and have fun.”
Videmschek said the biggest key to this year’s success was chemistry, which was great from day one.
“From start to finish, I saw them grow and work together as a team,” she said. “Everyone worked together for that championship. My proudest moment as a coach is when Nevaeh [Johnson] stepped up in the biggest moment and did her job. She didn’t get a lot of opportunities to bat, but she has been working hard in practice and I knew she could do it.”
With the bases loaded and two outs on the board, tied 7-7, Johnson, a sophomore, cranked a low drive past second base into the outfield to bring home the district championship run.
“She was prepared and came through to win a district championship,” Videmschek said. “It’s these little things we do every day to stay ready for that situation. How tough was Freshman Tomi Blankenship at the plate with two outs and 3-2 count and walked? How disciplined were the kids were in the bottom of the 7th inning? I tell them all the time when we are batting that the pressure is always on the defense — just go up there and have fun.
“The district game was one of the most exciting games we have played all year. The last two weeks, we played really good competition that put us in good situations, helping us prepare for the district championship game.”
Videmschek said the composure at the plate the Lady Wildcats displayed against Doniphan had also been building all season.
“I felt this year we struggled at the plate early in the year and then started swinging the bat better towards the end,” she said.
The Lady Wildcats will hope to achieve the same district title goal next season, returning all their squad but lone senior Taylor Smith.
“Taylor is our only senior who pitched and played first base for us,” Videmschek aid. “She helped with Coach Jeff Swadley calling pitches and keeping the hitting chart on our opponents. She did a great job for us this year. She will be missed next year.”
With so much of the district title team returning, Videmschek said excitement is building already.
“With everyone coming back and working with our hitting, defense and pitching, I feel we have another chance to win districts again,” she said. “We want to improve and get better and get a chance to compete at the next level. These kids saw Fatima play and they know what they need to do to get the chance to play in the state tournament.
“I hope by finding a way to win will keep them hungry and ready to win another district championship.”
