We continue to preview all of the fall sports and girls’ softball is once again going to be outstanding in the area as many of the top players are returning for their senior seasons.
Webster Groves will look to return to the state final four after a two-year hiatus and will lean on shortstop Ava Fitzgibbon to lead the way. Parkway West will look to improve on a pair of back-to-back 17-win seasons while STEAM Academy turns to a new head coach to get the Bulldogs on the winning side.
Webster Groves Statesmen
- Head Coach: Bryan Gibson
- Years at School and Coaching Record: 20 years, 269-247
- Conference: _Suburban Conference, Red Division
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: 6-28, 2-5
- Starters Returning – We have a returner at every position that started 10+ games last year
- Top Returning Players: Ava Fitzgibbon – SS, Emery McReynolds – 3B Ava is the last member of our 2020 state championship team and just an all-around dangerous hitter. Emery is as solid and consistent a softball player as you will find in the area; the game is never too fast for her and she never looks overmatched.
- Players to Watch: Olivia Williams – 1B/P and Kat Clark- P It’s no surprise. If they pitch well we are a competitive team. We are in much better shape after pushing so many kids to the varsity level last year. Some were ready, some were not, but they all had experience and have played some level of summer ball. They are much more confident and prepared to compete through a full 7 innings this year
Season Outlook: “We need to start by just playing good fundamental softball for 7 innings straight,” said Gibson. “One bad inning did us in too often last year but we are (mostly healthy) and far more prepared to play at a higher level this year.”
Parkway West Longhorns
- Head Coach: Andrew Jett
- Years at School and Coaching Record: 41-26 in three years
- Conference: Suburban Red Pool
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: 17-10, 5-3
- Starters Returning –
- Siena Snyder
- Alexa Riddel
- Makenzie Brown
- Rachel Livak
- Lily Bell
- Elena Potsou
- Riley Keegan
- Juliet Relihan
- Top Returning Players: Alexa Riddel and Siena Snyder will be returning juniors for us in their third year of varsity softball. Both girls look to have a huge year as they start looking into the future. Makenzie Brown and Rachel Livak are our only seniors this year. Makenzie will be a 4-year starting pitcher, and Rachel will be a 4-year starting catcher.
- Players to Watch: In addition to the top 4 players, Lily Bell will be a returning Junior that has started the last two years and batted in the middle of the order for us. Look for her to have a breakout year this year.
Season Outlook: “After two 17-win seasons the last two years, and having a lot of our players back, we look to continue that success,” stated Jett. “We did graduate a few big pieces, so we will need some girls to step up that were either on JV last year or will be freshmen. However, I think we have the potential to win 20 games and make a run at a District Title.”
STEAM Academy at McCluer South Berkley
- Head Coach: Robert Hickman
- Years at School and Coaching Record: First Year
- Conference: Blue Pool
- Last Year’s Overall and Conference Record: 4-17, 3-12
- Starters Returning – All-Starters Returning
- Top Returning Players: Tamiya Jones, Kylie Tracy, Jordyn Ivy, Aniyah Simpson, Venivian Boone
- Players to Watch: Tamiya Jones, Kylie Tracy, Jordyn Ivy, Aniyah Simpson, Venivian Boone, Faith Coomer, Saniyah Saunders
Season Outlook: “Team has a large group of seniors that are putting in the work to make this the best senior year for themselves and STEAM,” said Hickman.” The team is optimistic about having a record of .500 and is shooting to win the conference this season.”
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
