Community R-6 is one year older and playing better as a team this season.
District softball begins this week, including the Class 1 District 4 tournament that starts today at Van-Far High School …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Community R-6 is one year older and playing better as a team this season.
District softball begins this week, including the Class 1 District 4 tournament that starts today at Van-Far High School in Vandalia. The Class 1 No. 10 Lady Trojans were 18-11 after winning 18-6 in five innings against Louisiana on Oct. 6 at home.
Last year, Community had the No. 6 seed in its district and ended up finishing the season 12-22. Head coach Jeff Angel said the Lady Trojans want to stay hot heading into postseason play and ended the regular season Tuesday at Class 2 No. 8 Elsberry (19-7).
“We’re carrying momentum into the postseason,” Angel said. “We’ve got a tough one against Elsberry. It does us some good, but I’m glad we’re getting momentum right now so we can carry that into the playoffs.”
Community picked up one of its better wins of the season when it defeated Class 2 No. 6 Montgomery County at home to avenge a 4-1 loss from early in the season. Alexis Schafer allowed no hits and stamped out a late rally.
The Lady Trojans have fared well against teams in their districts, Angel said, playing to a 6-6 record against those teams. Community did lose 8-4 to state No. 4 and No. 1 seed Silex at home but had seven errors and six unearned runs while scoring against all-state pitcher Rylan Harris. Community, at 19-11, is one win behind Silex and will be the No. 3 seed when it faces No. 6 seed Westran (8-14) at 6:15 p.m. today.
“I like our chances with everybody,” Angel said. “We played with Silex until we had a couple mental errors. Other than that, when Alexis is on and she’s throwing, I’m very confident we can hang with everybody in our district.”
Schafer is a freshman who has claimed the No. 1 pitcher role and was able to reach 274 strikeouts in her first 135 high school innings with a 1.14 ERA. Around her is a group of sophomores who Angel said bring speed and can put the ball in play.
Lydia Hoyt is the only senior of this year’s team, and she was recognized on Senior Night following the Oct. 5 win over Montgomery County. Hoyt has played all four years and was on the teams that won over 20 games in her freshman and sophomore years. She said they have played well and for each other this season.
“We need to continue to stick together as a team because we have played a lot of games,” Hoyt said. “Sticking together can sometimes be challenging, but we’ve done very well with it this season. We just have to be in the right mindset heading to districts. We are a family and work together.”
Hoyt admitted it felt weird being the only softball senior recognized on Senior Night along with the cross country seniors, but she is comfortable with that role now.
“At first, I thought it was a little hard being the only senior in leading the team,” Hoyt said. “I grew into the position, and I had some underclassmen step up and help me. It really brought me closer to the team, and we’re more of a family.”
Just like the past seniors were there for her, Hoyt has been available for the team’s many underclassmen.
“I know it means a lot to them when I go up to them and tell them something or just tell them, ‘Good job,’” Hoyt said.
The offense came firing against Louisiana with Schafer going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double at the plate, and junior Myla Carroll going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a double. The sophomores had another great night with Ana McLeod going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double, Macy Woodside going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a double, and Natali Sommer hitting a two-RBI home run for her first home run and Community's first home run this year.
Angel said Community can make a deep run if it limits the mistakes to go along with the offense. The Lady Trojans had one error in the Montgomery County win but had five errors against Louisiana, forcing them to dig out of an early hole.
“We’ve got to play clean ball with no mistakes,” Angel said. “We’ve got to put the ball in play. If Alexis is on and we put the ball in play, we’re hard to beat. Putting the ball in play and playing error-free is key for us.”
After playing Community’s regular season home finale against Louisiana, Hoyt said she will miss playing on her home field but hopes she won’t have to think about it for a while during a postseason run.
“It’s actually pretty sad,” Hoyt said. “I really found myself on this field. I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet.”
