Softball sets sights on postseason

Although the Oran High School Lady Eagles did not have to reload, they are looking to take another shot to get into the state playoffs.  After finishing second to Scott City in the district tournament the last two years (by a total of 3 runs).  Oran loses only one player from last year's roster as Kenzie Graviett has decided not to participate and the Eagles add four talented freshmen to a squad that finished 17-1.

Coach Jim Eftink said that he is"looking forward to the start of the season. As good as the team was last year, some players have made big improvements to their game!

We should have dominant pitching and strong defense. We have all our big bats back—and there’s quite a bit of speed in the line up and on the bench. So we’ll be able to come at teams in different ways. We won’t be one dimensional—that’s for sure.

With two of the top young hurlers in the area coming back for their sophomore campaigns, Oran is poised for another strong season.

Sophomore Samantha Welter, who finished 10-1 with a 1.81 era.  She struck out 48 while walking 28 in 64 2/3 innings.  At the plate, she batted .313 had an on-base percentage of .411.  She also had two home runs.  She was named All-conference and All-district.

Fellow sophomore, Kaylee Payne was 7-0 in the circle with a minuscule 0.72 era. She struck out 58 in 39 innings pitched. She gave up 12 hits and only walked four.  She hit .500 had eight triples and four doubles.  She drove in 26 and had 11 stolen bases.  She was All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and All-State.

Another returning All-Stater is Sydney Kern.  She led her club with 32 hits and 31 runs, 24 stolen bases and a batting average of .525.  Besides the state recognition, she was also All-Conference, All-District and All-Region.

Leah Cauble was also named to the All-Conference, All-District and All-Region teams.  She batted .518, had 2 home runs, scored 30 runs, drove in 26 and stole 13 bases.

Jessie Long was awarded All-Conference and All-District honors.  Long hit at a .481 clip with 2 home runs, and a team-high 34 runs driven in.

Claire Ramsey and Katelyn Streeter were honorable mentions All-Conference and All-District.

Ramsey batted .327 with a homer and 13 rbi.  Streeter hit .324.

Coach Eftink added, "The team should be exciting to watch from the first pitch of the season to the final out of the year."

There are 17 players on the squad this year.

This year's roster has four seniors;  Maddie Graviett, Kern, Malia LeGrand and Abbey Madigan, four juniors, Cauble, Long, Ramsey and Streeter, five sophomores; Paige Bradley Savannah Elfrink, Taylor Lowes, Payne and Welter.  The four freshman are, Baylee Kern, Mallory Lowes, Kennedi McVay and Alyssa Spane.

For a printable copy, click HERE.

Eftink said this about the schedule, "Our schedule has some new additions this year. We’ve added Park Hills, Ste.  Genevieve and Bloomfield. Add those games to Scott City, Kennett, Portageville, Bernie and the Old Settlement Tournament and you’re looking at some pretty good competition."

The schedule looks like this:

A printable copy of the bracket is located HERE.