Commerce softball on its way to another big season

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September 5, 2010

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer The Joplin Globe Sun Sep 05, 2010, 11:59 PM CDT

The Commerce High School softball team is building another outstanding season.

The Tigers, ranked seventh in Class 2A by the Oklahoma Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association, are 17-3 under Jerry Myers entering Tuesday’s 4 p.m. home tripleheader against Quapaw.

Commerce, whose softball history includes a championship and runner-up finish, was 27-9 last season, 22-10 in 2008 (when it lost to eventual champion Ringling in the first round of state) and 17-13 in 2007 in Myers’ first season as head coach.

Myers, who’s assisted by Jake Sharp, has six returning starters from a team that lost to Drumright on its field in a regional final.

Drumright was runner-up to Healdton in 2009, Myers said, and Healdton is atop the rankings this season.

“We’re working seriously in practices and we don’t want to become content,” Myers said on Saturday. “We’re stressing that there are areas we need to improve, such as overall play, and our consistency.

“There are some people playing different positions (compared to last season),” Myers said. “That’s a trademark of a true team.

“We believe we’re swinging the bats well one through nine,” Myers said. “We’re solid on defense. Our seniors — Kamesha Cook, Jacey Knight, Shaylee Smith and Mandy Watson — provide leadership. Aly Morton, a sophomore right-hander, is our pitching ace.

“The seniors have set a trend for us,” Myers said. “We don’t believe, however, we’ll be done when they graduate.”

A probable batting order consists of shortstop Knight, sophomore second baseman Thaylia Degner, Watson, junior first baseman Maycee North, Morton, right fielder Cook, sophomore designated hitter Cortney Craig for junior left fielder Mikah Durham, freshman catcher Johanna Summers and freshman center fielder Delaney Ballard.

Left fielder Smith is currently sidelined with an injury.

“Knight and Watson are all-state caliber players,” Myers said. “They’ve been our leaders in batting average for the four years.

“We go as she goes ... reaching base and igniting innings,” Myers said of Knight. “Mandy (Watson) is averaging .585 with six home runs and 33 RBI. Knight, a .480 hitter, leads us in stolen bases (18) and runs scored (31).

“Maycee (North) kind of protects Mandy (Watson) in the order,” Myers said. “Maycee has 24 RBI.”

Myers said that Morton moved to the mound from third base, Watson shifted to third from behind the plate and Knight moved to shortstop from center.

“Morton, who picked up pitching experience last season, is mainly a fastball pitcher,” Myers said. “She’s been working on a change and it’s nasty when she throws it right. She also has the drop and screwball. The big thing about Aly is that she’s taking pitching more seriously and continues to develop.”

Commerce has lost 5-4 to Liberty (ranked sixth in Class 2A), 3-2 to Welch (a pool game in the Quapaw Tournament) and 7-5 last Thursday to visiting Kansas (No. 11 in Class 3A).

Commerce, which has a win against Verdigris (No. 8 in Class 3A), also has claimed the Quapaw and Welch tourneys.

“It’s been a fun year, so far,” Myers, a 1988 graduate of Commerce, said.

Myers also thanked school officials and board members for the building of new concessions stands and the installation of a new lighting system.

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