Missouri Softball Preview: Highland reloads, Monroe City rebuilds, Canton recharges

EWING, Mo. – The memory is still there.

Sure, Highland's softball team accomplished a lot last fall: It finished first among Class 2 schools in the state, won 20 games in a row at one point, and posted an overall record of 27-3.

But the outcome still leaves a bitter aftertaste and … the memory remains.

Highland was eliminated from the postseason with an unexpected 8-4 loss to Bowling Green in the second district game. Highland had trounced Bowling Green in two previous meetings, scoring a total of 19 runs.

“Yes, the loss to BG was tough,” said Highland coach Paul Scifres. “Nobody expected the day to go like this.”

But the ever-optimistic Scifres says there's no point in living life in the rearview mirror. He expects more big things from a program that won 268 games in his first 17 years at Highland and is expected to be the cream of the crop among area softball programs.

“After this defeat, we got back to work in the summer,” he said. “Many players are coming back and everyone is excited.”

Scifres stressed that a defeat should not be the calling card of an otherwise sensational season.

“We had a lot of fun last year,” he said.

Much of that fun was the result of a pulverizing offense that crushed more than one opponent. The Cougars hit a school-record 42 home runs — the previous record was 17 — and will return six starters from that star-studded lineup.

The Highland batting order is led by veteran catcher Haleigh Winter, a four-year starter and second-team All-State selection. Winter hit seven home runs, scored 41 runs and had a .400 batting average. This time, the home run total should reach double digits.

“Haleigh has tremendous power,” Scifres said.

Sophomore Keera Rothweiler and third-year Addy Abell are not only a solid double-play duo at shortstop and second base, but they also provide above-average speed on the bases for Highland. Rothweiler (.480) stole 30 bases as a freshman leadoff hitter and tied Abell (.447) with a school-record 46 runs scored. Abell also hit six home runs and accounted for 37 RBIs.

Second-year pitcher Abby Loy will be the best player this year after her stellar season saw her go 13-2 with a 1.91 earned run average. Loy, who had 121 strikeouts in 99 innings, can also hit, as evidenced by her .452 average and three home runs.

“Abby will be our horse,” said Scifres. “We don't have an established second starter at the start of the season.”

Reliable young right fielder Bailie Crist, who had a .475 batting average and three home runs, is also back in the mix.

Other key veterans include junior Manda Jennings, senior Shelby Frank and sophomore Hannah Ritterbusch.

Centralia, Highland and Macon are considered favorites in the Clarence Cannon Conference. Centralia (7-0) is the defending champion, thanks to a 14-13 win over Highland (6-1) in a head-to-head matchup a year ago.

Panthers coach promises to keep Chinn up

MONROE CITY, Missouri – In her 16 years in Monroe City, veteran coach Melissa Chinn has rarely faced a task like the one now facing her and the Panthers softball team.

Monroe City produced seven starters on a club with an 18-7 record, and she hopes that tradition can help the Panthers program as the coaching staff puts the pieces together for the school's next winning streak.

Chinn said her graduation had never had such an impact in her entire career in Monroe City, but the possibility of rebuilding has created even more excitement.

“Every year is a new challenge,” Chinn said. “I'm excited because a lot of people will have the opportunity to show what they can do. It will be interesting to see all the new faces.”

“There are a lot of good players in the Monroe City program and we will have more than 20 sophomores and freshmen. There will be a battle for positions every day.”

One of the two experienced veterans returning is senior Audri Youngblood, a three-time Class 2 all-state player who will play at the University of Kansas next year. Youngblood is coming off a junior season in which she batted .457, scored 23 runs and stole 31 bases. She is at home on any field, but you will often find her at shortstop or on the mound.

The second important returnee is Bradi Keller. Last year, Keller had a batting average of .395 as an all-around hitter and DH.

New coach, same expectations at Canton

CANTON, Mo. — Canton is one of the region's most stable programs, having posted 11 consecutive winning seasons and winning 20 or more games in six of those years. And during that time, it also had two Class 1 state championships, the most recent in 2022.

First-year coach Madison Covey, a product of Culver-Stockton College, was a volunteer assistant a year ago. Covey inherits a talented core from Kristyn Caldwell-Arens, who resigned as coach after four years and an 81-22 record. Canton had a 20-11 record last season.

Veteran first baseman Macy Glasgow is back to anchor Canton's offense. Glasgow is coming off a junior season in which she posted a .447 batting average with 37 RBIs. Junior all-arounder Kadee Guilfoyle (.352) will be another standout hitter.

Canton's pitching will rely on the improvement of junior Brenna Brewer (6-1, 1.73 ERA) and senior Allie Ruffcorn (9-5, 3.29 ERA).

Around the Horn

Junior second baseman Jerzey Ramey (.346) had 27 RBIs for Palmyra (9-16), which hopes to finish high in the always-rough Clarence Conference … Mark Twain (7-14) looks for a win behind talented sophomore second baseman Ella Moss (.371) and senior DH Bronwyn Harding (.407) … North Shelby (15-8-2) is seeking its fifth consecutive winning season but must cope with the loss of six starters … Marion County lost seven of its final eight games last year to finish 5-12, but returns sophomore outfielder/DH Jada Worrell (.343) and senior all-arounder Riley Holt (.333) … A late-season slump also cost South Shelby (13-16) a win, as the Cardinals lost five of their final seven games. The highlight of 2023 for South Shelby may have been their season-ending 6-3 win over LaPlata (26-5) to win the Class 1 state title… Hannibal (2-20), Clark County (4-21) and Knox County (5-11) all hope to get closer to .500.