Coming into this season the defending Class 1 state champion, expectations for the Purdy softball team were high, even though the Lady Eagles were young.
A 16-8 season, falling to Miller in the district semifinals, 12-11, was not exactly how Coach Lori Videmschek had things drawn up, but it was not a disappointment.
The Lady Eagles hit their stride toward the end of the season, reeling off six wins in the last seven regular-season games. Videmschek said the cascade of victories was proof of the team’s steady improvement.
“I believe that everyone improved from defense to offense,” she said. “I felt like we needed to be more consistent at the plate. Our overall defense was good. Catching position did improve over the season. Just figuring out how to play the game and the maturity level from start to finish has improved.”
Having lost three First Team All-State players from last season, experience became a challenge.
“We were so young with only starting one senior and one junior,” Videmschek said. “The bulk of my starters were freshman and sophomores.”
One returning All-State player provided a moment to remember this season, but Purdy’s youthfulness and excitement was also a big winner.
“There was not a special game or moment that sticks out to me, but what I will remember is the overall success of the kids and the smiles that they shared when they got that hit or came up with a play,” Videmschek said. “The only thing that I can think that was special is when Robyn Schad hit a walk off 2-run home run against Jasper.”
That was in the final game of the season, and to show how close Purdy already is to returning to the big stage, Jasper went on to take second place in Class 1 and defeated Miller 10-0 along the way.
The Lady Eagles will hope to extend the season next year without the bat of Schad, as well as seniors Areili Garcia and Jasmine Holloway. “Robyn being a four-year starter
“Robyn being a four-year starter will be hard to replace,” Videmschek said. “She did an outstanding job for us at first base. Areili had her first year playing softball, and she improved every game. Jasmine played all four years, and these seniors have had great success on the field.”
Returning will be a bevy of underclassmen, including 2021 All-State outfielder Jessi Hoppes, who will be a junior.
“Next year will bring a lot of experience and talent back,” Videmschek said. “I hope we can build off what we accomplished this year and continue to compete for a district and conference championship.
“These kids did exceed my expectations that I had set for them. They improved every day and worked hard and never gave up. It should be exciting to see what next year will be.”
Reaching that goal will take work, which Videmschek starts this summer.
“We are going to work hard in the offseason to get ready for next year,” she said. “Our pitching and catching and hitting has to be better, and I feel if we work at it, we will have a chance at district and conference championships.”
In postseason awards, pitcher Hadley Hughes, infielder Schad and outfielder Hoppes earned First Team All-District. Second Team awards went to infielder Rylee Stanford and infielder Rosa Schad.
First Team All-League SouthWest Central earned honors were Hoppes and Hughes. by Schad, Second Team awards went to Stanford and Brooklynn Bunch, and Schad earned Honorable Mention.
