Having made history last season with its first-ever district title, the Cassville softball team is embarking on a new campaign this season with loads of experience and a new coach at the helm.
Cassville is coming off one of its best seasons ever, going 16-15, tying the most wins on record for the team, set in 2011 and tied again in 2023. The Lady Wildcats also won the district championship in walk-off fashion over Doniphan, 7-6. Cassville fell to eventual Class 3 state champion Fatima in the state quarterfinals.
The squad looks nearly identical to last year’s — losing only one senior and returning 14 overall — except in the dugout.
Coach Lori Videmschek resigned her post as skipper, replaced by Southwest graduate Jordan Savage, who has 8 years in education and coaching under his belt.
Savage head coached baseball at Gainesville for a year, then was East Newton’s head baseball and softball coach for two years, staying on as baseball coach another two years after the Lady Patriots moved to spring softball.
Savage was an assistant baseball and softball position at McDonald County for the past two years, and he said he was excited to get the opportunity at Cassville.
“Being in the Big 8 for the past 7 seasons and competing against Cassville, I have had an outsider’s view, but I am ready to start working for the Wildcats,” he said.
Savage said over the summer, the older Lady Wildcats have set a tone for the squad, showing underclassmen the work it takes in the weight room and on the field. During that time, Cassville put a spotlight on the offensive side of the game.
“The girls have worked extremely hard in the cage, and I believe it will show this season,” Savage said. “We have really worked to cut down on our swing and miss percentage to put as much pressure on the defense as possible. Our goal is to be a team that plays fast and understands how each situation calls for a different approach at the plate.”
Returning players include: Kyler Hayward, Kalee Lowe, Hadley Moore, Lauren Sparkman, Aubrey Stoufer, Kyla Bowling, Kierstan Fare, Joei Blankenship, Elly Ramaeker, Tomi Blankenship, Tyra Sturgell, Navaeh Johnson, Aleigha Bryan and Hailey Bryan.
“Expectations for our returning group will be high coming off of a district title last season,” Savage said. “They have shown up each day ready to work and they have dedicated the time to get even better for this season.”
On the mound, Stoufer and the Blankenship sisters will take on the majority of duties.
“Aubrey handled most of the innings last season, and it is something she is ready to do once again,” Savage said. “She has worked to improve her craft this summer and is ready to be even better this fall. Tomi Blankenship will be looking to make a bigger impact in the circle for us this season. She threw some valuable innings as a freshman last season and is ready to take on a more regular role.
“Joei Blankenship will be ready to prove herself in the circle this season by continuing to build off a strong summer.” Cassville also has three incoming freshmen who will all see time in the circle: Lili Naugle, Madi Yockey and Brianna Still.
Defensively, Hayward, Sparkman, Lowe, Ramaeker, Bryan Stoufer, Tomi Blankenship and Joei Blankenship have been working the infield, along with the same newcomer trio of Naugle, Yockey and Still.
“This group has worked hard as we have a lot of players practicing in both infield and outfield spots, so we can find the best lineup on a daily basis,” Savage said. “This is something that has helped them develop their fundamentals and skill. By the time season rolls around, I will be looking for this group to be both fundamentally sound and ready for any situation.”
Returners in the outfield are Bowling, Moore, Sturgell, Johnson, Fare and Bryan, with newcomer Alex Holycross hoping to make an impact.
“This group has been looking better each and every day this summer,” Savage said. “As a staff we are excited to see this group continue to get better and also who really emerges as front runners for a few starting spots.”
Cassville’s schedule includes two tournaments and 16 regular contests, including home-away series with Big 8 foes Nevada, Seneca, Monett, Aurora and McDonald County.
“As always I look for the Big 8 to be competitive from top to bottom,” Savage said. “We will have to come ready to play each and every game in order to put ourselves in the best position at the end of the season.
“Our goal, of course, is to be in position to take home the Big 8 title at the end of the season, and working toward that goal is what we are focused on right now,” Savage said.
Cassville’s campaign started over the weekend at the Morrisville Tournament. The Lady Wildcats played at Marion C. Early on Tuesday, and their home opener is against Logan-Rogersville today (Wednesday) at 4 p.m.
