The North Central Missouri College Lady Pirates softball team is itching to open its season. Unfortunately, cool temperatures and rain have pushed the opener back.
NCMC was slated to open its fastpitch season last week at Highland, KS, but that game, along with the games last Thursday and last weekend, have all been rescheduled.
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The Lady Pirates hope to make it onto the softball diamond today in Fayette, taking on the Central Methodist College JV. However, things don’t look promising for that game as well, meaning the season opener will be Saturday at Fort Scott Community College in Ft. Scott, KS.
“It is always hard to get games in during the spring,” Head Coach Max Mothersbaugh said. “We will try and reschedule as many games as possible, but at some point you just can’t get them all rescheduled.”
Speed and character are two of the Lady Pirates’ best assets heading into the spring. The Lady Pirates will look to exploit their speed on the base paths by running early and often.
“We have good team speed and we will look to use it,” Mothersbaugh said. “Defensively, once all the kids get settled, we should be very good.”
Because of the success of the women’s basketball team, several softball players will not be available at the beginning of the season. Kristen Buhrmeister, Mandy Monkman and Megan Doty are all currently playing for the Region 16 champion Lady Pirates basketball team.
“Hopefully, it will be a couple more weeks before they are able to start softball,” Mothersbaugh said. “We are pretty thin right now because of an injury and because of basketball, but I think by midseason we should start to come together.”
Mothersbaugh noted the Lady Pirates are facing what could be their toughest schedule in recent years. Their lack of depth, coupled with a tough schedule, could make for a rocky start for the Lady Pirates.
NCMC is being very cautious with sophomore Dina Juarez, who has been slowed by a knee injury. If Juarez is able to play, North Central’s infield will feature four sophomores – Juarez at second, Amber Corkins at first, Tiffany Graham at third and Buhrmeister at shortstop.
But if Juarez is on the sidelines, freshman Malyssa McCrary will move from outfield to second base.
“Dina’s injury could be a pretty big blow for us,” Mothersbaugh said. “Last season Dina developed into a solid infielder so obviously that would be a loss but having to move McCrary would also hurt our outfield.”
Depending on Burhmeister’s absence, Corkins could move to shortstop and either Erica Carr or Kara Lundquist would take over the first base duties until Buhrmeister’s return.
NCMC is pretty thin on the infield, with McCrary as the primary backup. Carr could also see time at first base.
Lack of depth also extends to the catcher’s position. North Central enters the season with only two true catchers – Lundquist and Kristina Ramsey.
“A big concern for us is our lack at depth at catcher,” Mothersbaugh said. “We are currently trying to develop Monkman (who is still playing basketball) as a third catcher, but right now an injury could really weaken this team.”
For all the concern along the infield, things look very strong for the Lady Pirates in the outfield. Ramsey, when she is not catching, will anchor a solid group of outfielders – Lana Dunning, Erica Carr, McCrary, Kallie Walczak, Loren Stark, Monkman and Doty.
Ideally, NCMC would start with Ramsey, Dunning and McCrary in the starting outfield, but Mothersbaugh feels comfortable with several different combinations.
“We have a lot of speed in the outfield and by the end of the season it could be a really good group,” Mothersbaugh added. “I look for either Walczak or Stark to be in the outfield when Ramsey catches.”
The Lady Pirates could be very solid inside the pitching circle as well. Stark and Walczak are both coming off promising fall seasons.
“Loren is not the hardest thrower ever but she is great at locating her pitches,” Mothersbaugh said. “Both Loren and Kallie should become strong pitchers.”
The Lady Pirates head to Florida on March 17 for several games against quality teams. NCMC will look to play between 10 to 12 games in the Sunshine State before returning home for games against Southwest Community College, Marshalltown Community College and Iowa Lakes Community College.
“Our schedule is really tough,” Mothersbaugh said. “My hope is that I have overscheduled and put too many good teams on the schedule.”
In April, NCMC has five home games as the Lady Pirates prepare for the Region 16 Tournament, which will be held in Moberly during the first week of May.