Purdy is three years removed from its Class 1 state title season, and the freshmen on that team enter their senior season hungry for a return to postseason glory.
Lori Videmschek, Purdy softball coach, said three seniors and eight returning starters will take to the diamond this season, setting the goals of winning the conference and the district, then pushing to the Class 1 final four.
“I feel that if we can stay healthy, we have a chance to win a district and a conference championship,” Videmschek said. “We are hungry and ready to go. Staying humble and working hard is so important.”
Seniors heading up the squad, which posted a 24-10 record in 2023 and dropped a 10-9 district title contest to Miller, include two returning All-State selections, future Jefferson College player Jessi Hoppes and Rylee Stanford, as well as First Team All-District winner Raeley Henderson.
“This group is hungry and ready to compete for a championship,” Videmschek said. “They were freshmen when they won it in 2021. They know what needs to be done to get a chance to play at the final four. Jessi, at centerfield, is the one that gets us going. She is batting in the onehole with a lot of speed and can hit for power. Jessi hit .413 with 3 hrs, 30 RBI’s and 22 stolen bases. I expect big things from Jessi this year.
“Rylee, our second baseman, had an outstanding year for us. She’s very competitive and hit .429 with 33 RBI and had 13 stolen bases. She is very quick on the bases and is a single and double hitter. I expect her to continue to do what she does and have an exciting year for us. Raeley will be moving from the outfield to first base. She hit .372 with 45 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Raeley started putting things together in the middle of the season. She developed as a very good hitter and continues to get better in the off season. I am excited to see the leadership that these three will bring to our team.”
On the mound, another All-State returner looks to add to her resume.
“All-State First Team pitcher Gabriela Groomer will be our workhorse on the mound,” Videmschek said. “Last year, she pitched 99.93 innings with 205 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.20. Brooklyn Bunch was our left fielder last year and this year. She will be on the infield/outfield and will be on the mound for us. Brooklynn pitched most of our JV games last year.”
Joining Stanford and Henderson in the dirt will be shortstop Rosa Schad, third baseman Bunch, catcher Zoey Webb, and third baseman Lauren Brooks.
“Rosa has tremendous range and hit .393 with 28 RBI and 10 stolen bases,” Videmschek said. “Third base will have two kids rotating, Brooklyn when not pitching and Lauren, a sophomore transfer who will play third when she is not catching for us this year. Lauren brings a lot of power to the plate, I’m excited to see what she can do behind the plate as well.
“She will be sharing the catching duties with Zoey, a junior who hits in the two-hole and does a great job putting the ball in play. Brooklynn and Zoey give us a lot of versatility in the infield and outfield. Zoey will be in the outfield when not catching.
Hoppes will lead the outfield from the center, with sophomore Courtney Patterson in left field and a rotation of players in right.
“Courtney did a great job for us last year as a freshman,” Videmschek said. “I expect her to come in and step right in where she was last year. She improved so much last year at the plate and outfield. Right field will be a mixture of Zoey, Brooklyn and freshman Kiersten Postlewait. Kiersten will be playing time in left and right field.”
Videmschek said at the plate, the Lady Eagles can be dangerous, combining power in the bat with speed on the bases.
“We hit .360 as a team last year, and with most of my offense back and with more depth in our lineup offensively we should be able to score a lot of runs,” she said. “One thing we need to get better at is being more consistent with runners in scoring position. I feel that in our line up we can get runners on and move them with a bunt and anyone in our lineup can come up with a big hit.
“I know we will be able to put the ball in play and run the bases. We can cause teams to commit errors.”
Purdy’s season began last week, hosting the Joplin Area Tournament. The home opener is on Tuesday against Billings.
