BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
Going 9-13 this season, the Southwest softball team consistently worked on one major goal — testing its IQ.
Emily Snyder, Lady Trojans softball coach, said the team this season achieved some team goals and missed some others.
“That does not mean those goals are not still in action and on the mind during the off-season training to be achieved in the next season,” Snyder said. “The biggest mindset when making goals for the Lady Trojans, whether it be individually or as a team, all were created with the thought in mind to continue to be tough and work hard not for themselves but for the team as a whole.”
Southwest put together a threegame run in the middle of the season and defeated Crane in the regular season finale, 7-5. The Lady Trojans fell to Lamar in the Class 2, district 6 quarterfinals, 14-4.
“The Lady Trojans by the end of season were starting to achieve some of the bigger goals they had set for themselves,” Snyder said. “For example, a huge concept this season was to have an approach at the plate and in the field, to ultimately have a higher ball IQ. Also, the Lady Trojans developed a solid work ethic all buying in and just ready to work and learn together as a team.”
That focus in IQ is what will drive Southwest in coming seasons.
“The biggest goal we improved on is the biggest aspect we are still working on improving: to continue to develop a higher ball IQ and having a better understanding of approaches, whether it be on the field or at the plate,” Snyder said. “Ultimately, this is something the Lady Trojans are working heavily on during the off-season to prep for the next upcoming season.”
A mid-season example of the growing IQ was Southwest’s win over Crane, 8-5.
“We had faced Crane in a very tight game and ended up winning the game,” Snyder said. “It was a game where the girls truly showed up and competed. We had girls like sophomore Jacee Durossette step in the circle to end the game and solidify the ‘W’ for the Lady Trojans. When I think back to that game we were able to truly show our potential on the field and at the plate.
“It was a game where every girl was locked in whether on the bench or playing on the field. It is something special when as coaches we know our team and their potential, but when they actually execute it when it matters it is truly a blessing to be a part of.”
A pair of seniors say goodbye to the team, Alissa Russell and Sophie Schweers.
“Both will be very missed and were such a big blessing and a huge asset,” Snyder said. “Alissa has played for the Lady Trojans for the last two years and played consistently in left/right field. Alissa was not only a leader on the field but also off the field. She made a huge spiritual presence with the girls which influenced the rest of the team in such a positive way.
“Sophie was our foreign exchange student who gave softball a try in last year’s off-season and continued to stick with me and the Lady Trojans. Even though it was Sophie’s first year, she was always a light for the Lady Trojans, motivating the girls to keep working hard. Both of these girls will be missed by our Lady Trojan Softball program, as they were both an asset on and off the field.”
With only a couple seniors leaving, numerous underclassmen will move up the ranks.
“The underclassmen stepping up the role of leaders and upperclassmen this year consist of seven seniors: Raeli Miles, Addison Keates, Addison Cotton, Riley Flippo, Kaleigh Tull, Piper King and Rebecca Swanepoel. We have a few others returning: Jacee Durossette, Kindred Durossette, Addyson Payne and Gracie Swanepoel. Those are just a few ladies that I have huge expectations for this upcoming season, all of which comes into play in the off-season.
“The Lady Trojans plan on doing as much work we possibly can to be prepared for the 2025 spring season. The cool thing about this group of girls is that they all buy in and truly work hard. In addition, these girls just love the game of softball. That is something you simply can’t coach or develop.”
That love and work ethic will be needed in a year, as the Lady Trojans have added more games to0 their schedule.
“With that being said, the goal is to compete more to improve and learn as we go,” Snyder said. “The biggest goal I have for the Lady Trojans is to come out and continue to improve upon execution and to generally level up in the game. We have goals already set to be achieved individually in the off-season to lay the foundation for the upcoming season.
“It has been nothing short of a blessing to coach the Lady Trojans and work alongside a great Assistant Coach Jonica Jones.This season would not have been possible without every Lady Trojan willing to work as a team on and off the field. We have achieved goals and won some big games this season, and the plan is to achieve more goals and win more games as we go into 2025.”
