By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Diamond High School, which has been savoring its first district title in softball, faces in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 2 playoffs a team accustomed to such accomplishments.
Diamond (16-11) tackles Morrisville (19-8) at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Purdy.
The winner advances to a quarterfinal outing on Saturday at Ash Grove against Strafford (20-7) or Hollister (15-8).
Morrisville, which is in its first season under Matt Walker, finished fourth in the Class 2 sweepstakes in 2007 and also was a semifinalist in 2006.
The current Panthers, who tied Walnut Grove for first place in the Polk County League, have six seniors — five usually start — and played their typical strong schedule against Springfield area teams (six games against Class 4 and three against Class 3).
Diamond, meanwhile, spiced its district title by winning the inaugural Spring River Valley Conference chase at 4-0.
Nathan Cook, the assistant for Diamond head coach Brian Brimacombe, is in charge of the Wildcats this week with Brimacombe in Wyoming because of the death of his mother-in-law.
“We haven’t played Morrisville and I don’t believe we have a common opponent,” Cook said Monday. “Coach Brimacombe has been on the phone trying to compile a scouting report. He has connections around Springfield.
“We understand they (the Panthers) are aggressive at the plate. They want to put the ball into play and put pressure on the defense,” Cook said. “They make you execute.”
Cook said Brimacombe has selected senior right-hander Cassie Sharon to oppose Morrisville.
Sharon, 4-8 with a 3.40 ERA through 24 games, had struck out 68 in 77 innings. She also was averaging .417 with 23 runs batted in.
Junior second baseman Ashley Dunn and sophomore shortstop Taryn Stevens also were averaging more than .300, Cook said, and junior third baseman Nychelle Goad had 19 RBI.
Ashley Nickolaisen, another senior right-hander, has a 10-3 pitching record and will start in right field.
Morrisville’s Walker plans to counter with senior right-hander Bailey Williams on the mound. She’s 12-4 and was the ace last season. Three of the Morrisville losses came in a seven-game stretch this season in her absence.
“She’s a power pitcher,” Walker said. “But she has developed a couple of other pitches this season.”
The probable Diamond batting order consists of Stevens, Dunn, Sharon, Nychelle Goad, Nickolaisen, freshman catcher Brice Goad (Nychelle’s sister), freshman DP Shae Miksell (for sophomore first baseman Lynsey Copley), senior center fielder Crystal Lane and junior left fielder Brianna Carneal.
Morrisville has three players with averages of more than .400 — junior center fielder Kasey Painter, senior shortstop Amanda Martinsen and senior second baseman Kayla Painter. Senior catcher Tiffany Burrow is averaging .377 with two home runs and is tied with Kayla Painter with 34 RBI.
The probable Morrisville order: Kasey Painter, Martinsen, Burrow, Kayla Painter, senior third baseman Stephanie Beavers, Williams, freshman right fielder Sheri Trantham, junior left fielder Tiffany Taylor and sophomore DP Sheena Crites for junior first baseman Rachel Phillips.
Walker said the Panthers outscored their opponents 31-2 in district play at Ash Grove. “We’re hitting the ball very well,” he said.
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Diamond set to face Morrisville in sectionals
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