The McCrory Lady Jaguars had a banner season in 2019, finishing 23-4 and advancing to the second round of the Class 2A State Tournament before falling to Poyen 9-1. Poyen finished as state runner-up to Quitman.
“We have a chance to be competitive this year if our pitching comes through,” longtime McCrory coach Ronnie Massanelli said.
Carlie Whitehead, the Lady Jaguars’ top pitcher from a year ago, has graduated.
Massanelli said sophomore Hannah Taylor, freshman Natalie Creasey and junior Jenna Sablotny are the top prospects to replace Whitehead.
Sablotny saw limited action in the circle in 2019. She was 3-0 in four appearances.
“We have some girls who are willing to work hard and do what it takes to be successful,” Massanelli said. “We have good senior leadership in Blaire Kennon, Kylee Hicks and Layla Hedden.”
Massanelli said his team will be without junior all-state catcher Kyndal Dollar, due to a knee injury.
“But we have some young girls who will have to step up and get the job done,” he said. “Our main objective is to be better today than we were yesterday. If we do that, then everything else will take care of itself on down the line.”’
The coach said McCrory returns six starters from a year ago, including Kennon at shortstop, Hicks at second base, Hedden in the outfield, Madie Hankins at third base, Sablotny in center field and utility player Ashley Miller.
Massanelli said his team’s best hitters for average are Kennon and Hannah Taylor. Kennon hit .354 a year ago.
The coach said the best power hitter is Taylor, the best fielder is Kennon at shortstop, and the best speed belongs to freshmen McKenzie Miller, Chandler Reynolds and Natalie Creasey; and Sablotny.
The best defensive arms, Massanelli said, belong to Sablotny, Miller, Kennon and Reynolds, who is slated to play catcher because of the injury to Dollar.
The Lady Jaguars are members of the 2A-6 Conference with East Poinsett County, Barton, Clarendon, Cross County and Marked Tree.
Massanelli said games with East Poinsett County and Palestine-Wheatley will be ones to watch this season.