2017 Durant Softball Preview

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

The Durant Wildcats won 36 games last summer, the most by a class 2A team, and advanced to the state tournament placing 7th, ending their year in Ft. Dodge again last summer.  The Wildcats claimed the outright 2016 River Valley Conference title along the way to another fine softball season.  Head coach Steve Hopkins was named the coach of the year in the River Valley South Division after leading the Wildcats to a conference record of 17-1.

The Wildcats return seven starters from last year including their top hitter in senior catcher Cathy Ralfs.  Ralfs batted .441 with 60 hits and 51 RBI’s.  She had only one error in 194 chances behind the plate and caught three base stealers.

The three returning infielders for the Wildcats were all, All-RVC South all-conference selections.  The Wildcats right side of the infield in first baseman Kamryn Meyer and second baseman Aubrey Werthmann and third baseman Haleigh Carnes were those players.  Meyer was a utility selection and Werthmann and Carnes were infield selections.

Carnes batted .352 with 45 hits and 36 RBI’s.  Werthmann batted .336 with 41 hits, 2 HR and 36 RBI’s.  Meyer batted .306 with 41 hits, 25 RBI’s.  She pitched to a 3-0 record in three starts in 24 innings and a 2.04 ERA with 26 strikeouts.

On paper, the Wildcat outfield of Hannah Happ, Ruby Kappeler and Kelly Alexander return.  However, they shift around.  Happ will move to centerfield, Kappeler will take over at shortstop and Alexander will remain in right field.  Happ was an All-RVC selection as a freshman.  She batted .431 with 47 hits, 17 RBI’s and had a team high 22 stolen bases.  Kappeler was a honorable mention selection and batted .333 with 39 hits, 18 RBI’s as a freshman.  The versatile Wildcat can also catch if needed.  Alexander is a lefty bat with some pop in the Wildcats line-up.  Alexander batted .282 with 35 hits and 23 RBI’s last season.

In the pitcher's circle will be a trio of sophomores in Meyer, Jenna Lawson and Mallory Warner.  Lawson, a lefty, could be the ace out of spring camp.  Lawson was 3-0 in 17 2/3 innings last year with a 2.02 ERA.  Warner was 2-0 in 14 innings and a 1.00 ERA.

Gone from last year are 2016 seniors Shannon Telsrow and Jasmine Lawson.  Telsrow, the Wildcats offensive leader at shortstop last year, had 57 hits, a team best 5 home runs and 26 RBI’s from the leadoff spot.  She had an on-base percentage of .506 and batted .413.  Lawson made 35 starts last season and pitched 220 innings.  She was 28-6 with a 1.69 ERA and 137 strikeouts to only 29 walks.  She also batted .227 with 2 home runs.

Durant will play an aggressive schedule this summer.  Weekend tournaments in Cedar Rapids on May 27, North Scott on June 8 and 9, Linn-Mar on June 23 and 24 and Mid-Prairie on Saturday, July 1.  The Wildcats will host two home Saturday round robin tournaments.  One on June 3 and another on June 17.  The Wildcats will play Keokuk at home to begin the season and travel to Wapello in late June for non-conference games.  The Wildcats will travel to Wilton on June 12 and host Iowa City Regina on June 26.