In today’s Monday Morning Wrap-Up, we continue to preview some of the area’s top softball teams as we are less than six weeks away from starting the season.
Warrenton will look to return to the state semifinals after finishing fourth last season while Oakville veteran head coach Rich Sturm welcomes many familiar faces back to compete for the Suburban Yellow Division title. Parkway North brings back seven starters from a team that fell to Warrenton in the district final last year as the Vikings will look to advance in the state tournament this season.
Oakville Tigers
- Head Coach: Rich Sturm
- Years at School and Coaching Record: 29 years at Oakville/Head Softball Coach 2002-Present Head Softball Coaching Record 428-130
- Conference: Suburban Conference-Yellow Division
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: 18-11 Overall Record Conference Record: 1-4
- Starters Returning – Addie Frank, Morgan Kovach, Amelia Wiesler, Reagan Kemp, Lexi Kahle and Cassidy Welch
- Top Returning Players: Addie Frank, Amelia Wiesler, Morgan Kovach, Reagan Kemp, Lexi Kahle, and Cassidy Welch
- Players to Watch: Addie Frank, Amelia Wiesler, Morgan Kovach, Reagan Kemp, Lexi Kahle and Cassidy Welch
Season Outlook: “We are anticipating being a very good offensive team with solid pitching and defense,” stated Sturm. “I feel that our team will be highly competitive and are looking forward to having a successful season.”
Parkway North Vikings
- Head Coach: Jamesell Kee
- Years at School and Coaching Record: 7 years 81-89
- Conference: Suburban Red
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: 17-10 Overall 4-4 Conference
- Starters Returning – 7
- Top Returning Players: P Addy Denny, SS Kaitlyn Graham
- Players to Watch: P Addy Denny, SS Kaitlyn Graham
Season Outlook: “Looking to build off the successes of the past two seasons that each ended in losses in the district tile games to Warrenton”, said Kee. “Look to be strong in the circle with Addy Denny and have a group of 5 seniors in the starting lineup led by Graham and Raina Ross. Also getting Rachel Ross back who missed most of last year with an injury.”
Warrenton High School
- Head Coach: Chad Berrey
- Years at School and Coaching Record: 5 years, 76-55
- Conference: GAC North
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: Overall- 16-10, Conference- 6-2
- Starters Returning – Kylie Witthaus, Maddisyn Hoelscher, Rose Renshaw, Kiera Daniel, Audrey Lanzone, Caydynce Haverfield, Makayla Witthaus,
- Top Returning Players: Kylie Witthaus, Kiera Daniel, Audrey Lanzone, Makayla Witthaus
- Players to Watch: Kylie Witthaus, Kiera Daniel
Season Outlook: “We have won class 4 district titles for the last two seasons, “stated Berrey. “Last season we took 4th in the state tournament. We are returning all of our previous year’s starters besides one, Mackenzie Hurst. Kylie Witthaus is returning for her senior year and is coming off a season as she racked up 330 strikeouts. finished 4th in the state tournament.”
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
