For the second season in a row, the Cassville softball team made history.
In 2023, the 16-15 Lady Wildcats won the program’s first-ever district title under former coach Lori Videmschek, and this year, Cassville set a program record for wins, going 19-14 and taking second place in Class 3, District 6.
Jordan Savage, Cassville softball coach who has completed his first season at the helm, said overall, he’d grade the season at a B, as the team endured some ups and downs, played well overall but came up just short of its main goal.
“I thought we competed in nearly every game, and I thought we showed up to practice every day with the mindset to improve,” Savage said. “Although we did a great job this season, we ultimately fell short of our overall goal of a district title. I am extremely proud of what the girls did and I am looking forward to remaining competitive for a long time with the underclassmen we have.”
Cassville rode a six-game win streak into the district title bout with Nevada, eventually falling 7-6 in 13 innings — the third-longest game in Missouri high school softball history.
“I’d say we met most of our goals as far as competing each and every day and not backing down to any type of competition,” Savage said. “Obviously, one big goal was to win the district title again, and unfortunately, that is something we fell short of. However, I told them that titles and championships are only one side of a successful season.
“What matters more is, did you improve and did you work as hard as you can? That is something that I think we achieved.”
Savage said as the season progressed, the Lady Wildcats excelled in executing in a multitude of offensive situations, a major contributor to the wins record.
“Early in the season, we had some missed opportunities due to maybe not getting a bunt down or a baserunning mistake, and I think those little things are what we cleaned up as the season went on,” he said. “The girls worked hard every day to try and get better at the basic fundamentals, which is what started to show up late in the year when we started to win those close games.”
Defensive execution, Savage said, is an area still needing work. That need reared its head in the Nevada title game, when Cassville has the Lady Tigers down to a final out three times and let each opportunity slip away with defensive mistakes.
As hard as the district loss was, Savage said it did not take away from the memories made this season.
“We had so many close games this year,” he said. “However, two games stand out more than others: our walk off victory against McDonald County and, even though we came out on the wrong side, the district championship game against Nevada.”
Seven seniors will depart the squad this season, and Savage said their contributions will be greatly missed.
“I cannot talk enough about this group of seniors and what they have meant to this program,” he said. “They came in and worked as hard as anyone and really bought into what we were trying to accomplish this season. Coming off a district title and then having a new coach is not something that is common, but these seniors really set the tone and laid a foundation for the underclassmen to build on. Kalee Lowe, Kyla Bowling, Elly Ramaeker, Lauren Sparkman, Aleigha Bryan, Hailey Bryan and Kyler Hayward — thank you.”
Even with the departures, the Lady Wildcats have a wealth of experienced returners, including ace Aubrey Stoufer and outfielder Tyra Sturgell, both juniors, and Lili Naugle, a freshman pitcher who finished the Nevada contest in the circle.
“Our underclassmen will continue to bring a mindset to keep improving and compete every day,” Savage said. “I think they really met the challenge to not think of themselves as underclassmen, but instead as athletes that are there to help the program keep improving and not play the game scared. They want to go out and compete and earn everything they get.”
In 2025, Savage said Cassville’s goals will remain largely the same — stay competitive in every practice and every game.
“Overall this group of girls was one of the most enjoyable groups I have been able to coach,” he said. “They love the game of softball and always showed up every day willing to work. In a world where so much is taken for granted, these girls wanted to earn everything.
“It is hard losing so many seniors, but that simply means we will be looking forward to other girls stepping up in the future to fill those roles. I think this is something our underclassmen are ready to do.”
Cassville players raked in a plethora of postseason awards. Big 8 All-Conference honorees included: First Team, Aubrey Stoufer (pitcher), Lauren Sparkman (infielder) and Lily Naugle (utility); Second Team, Kalee Lowe (catcher), Elly Ramaeker (infielder), Kyla Bowling (outfielder), and Madi Yockey (designated player); Honorable Mention, Lil Naugle (pitcher) and Kyler Hayward (infielder). Savage was also named co-Big 8 Coach of the Year with Nevada’s Danny Penn.
Beyond the Big 8, three Lady Wildcats were honored with Class 3, Region 3 All-Region selections, voted by the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association. Stoufer was one of four First Team pitchers, Lowe one of two Second Team catchers and Sparkman one of seven Second Team infielders. Only 37 selections are made between both teams.
