A young West Plains softball team got plenty of early-season competition last week, but the Zizzers are still searching for consistency at the plate and in the field.
West Plains fell to School of the Osage 12-2 on Aug. 31 in Osage Beach, following an 0-3 showing at the Republic Lead-Off Classic on Aug. 28 and 29 and a 2-1 outing at an Aug. 25 jamboree in Marshfield.
Osage racked up 18 hits in its victory over West Plains, scoring four runs in the second inning and adding eight more across the third and fourth. Aubrey Ellison, Brooklyn White and Remini Williams each tallied a hit for West Plains, while Sloane McNett drove in a run.
Cadence Tackitt pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Zizzers, allowing 12 runs — 11 earned — on 18 hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
“Osage was a tough game for us,” West Plains assistant coach Madalyn Ivy said. “They are a good hitting team, and we struggled to keep them off the bases and limit big innings.”
At the Republic Lead-Off Classic, the Zizzers closed out the tournament with a 10-1 loss to Battle. Despite the lopsided score, West Plains outhit Battle 7-6, led by Molly Orr's three hits.
“The biggest issue was defensively, as all 10 of Battle's runs were unearned,” Ivy said. “We had opportunities offensively but weren't able to turn those hits into enough runs.”
The Zizzers' closest game at the Republic tournament was an 8-3 loss to Branson, decided by a six-run third inning. Tackitt, Orr, Adilee Joyner and Williams each had a hit, with Joyner and Williams both driving in runs. White stole two bases, and the Zizzers' defense turned two double plays.
West Plains opened the tournament with a 20-2 loss to Willard. The Zizzers struck first on an RBI single from Williams, but Willard immediately responded with a 16-run first inning on 13 hits. Gracie Young and Williams accounted for the team's only hits.
Prior to the tournament, the Zizzers went 2-1 at the Marshfield jamboree, losing to Eldon before defeating Camdenton and Marshfield. Ivy noted the jamboree was a valuable experience that allowed the team to see different competition and work through game situations.
Reflecting on the opening stretch of games, Ivy said the young roster gained clear insights into what needs to improve, specifically pointing to defensive reliability and stringing hits together on offense.
“Our biggest issue was giving up too many hits and extra opportunities defensively. We need to be more consistent with the routine plays and limiting big innings,” Ivy said. “The girls continued to compete, and this gave us some clear things to work on. ... When we play fundamental softball and do the little things consistently, I think we can put ourselves in a good position to compete with teams.”
