Kelly Softball aims to extend legacy

BENTON, Mo. — As the upcoming season looms, one can’t help but marvel at the consistent excellence the Kelly softball program exhibited year after year.

The Lady Hawks approach the upcoming season with a familiar objective in mind: clinching another district championship and building upon their notable legacy.

“The goal of our program and athletes is to win a district championship and make it back to the final four,” said Kelly coach Melanie Heuring. “We don't shy away from competition because playing a tougher schedule helps us in postseason play. There is a lot of talent this year in the area because Southeast Missouri is known for softball, and we always seem to have good games and rivalries with several schools.”

Kelly's Blaire Riley (13) takes a swing�during an 8-5 loss at Notre Dame on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.�Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

The team is fully committed to capturing another title with an impressive track record of 11 district championships in the past 16 years, including an active three-year winning streak.

However, the team faces a significant challenge with several key players recovering from serious injuries.

Senior pitcher Mallory Lemonds is recovering from a back injury that made her miss most of the basketball season last winter and seniors Ava LeGrand and Katelyn Dannenmueller look to rebound from knee injuries that kept them out of action across multiple sports.

Kelly's Kayleigh Holman (23) runs the bases�during an 8-5 loss at Notre Dame on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.�Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

“We need her healthy as she is one of our main pitchers,” Heuring said. “[LeGrand] is back this year and ready to do what it takes to compete and play the whole season. I am glad to have her back in the lineup because she will help us tremendously. We are glad to have [Dannenmueller] back this season to contribute in the outfield. She is a quick lefty that we can't wait to get back in our lineup. We graduated our entire outfield and that is a huge void to fill in the field and the lineup.”

Lemonds was a finalist for Softball Player of the Year at the 2023 Semoball Awards and earned All-Class 2, District 1 honors after pitching 128 innings last season. She finished the season with a 13-6 record, a 2.461 ERA and 84 strikeouts.

In addition to the challenges posed by the injuries, Kelly also boasts the return of three valuable seniors in Kayleigh Holman, Macy Burger and Allie Daniel.

Kelly's Allie Daniel (4) makes a catch�during an 8-5 loss at Notre Dame on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.�Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

Holman, the team’s shortstop and leadoff hitter, played a pivotal role in their success last season. She showcased her exceptional skills at the plate with the highest batting average on the team (.363) and an impressive 37 hits. Holman’s outstanding performance earned her well-deserved recognition with All-SEMO Conference honors.

Meanwhile, Burger, who starts at second base, is a versatile player who also contributes as one of the team’s top pitchers. Her ability to excel in multiple positions adds depth and flexibility to the lineup, making her a valuable asset to the team’s success on both offense and defense.

Completing the trio of returning seniors is Daniel, the team’s skilled catcher and another formidable presence in the lineup. With a batting average of.303 and a notable 31 hits, Daniel proved herself as a consistent contributor and a reliable run producer, tallying 16 RBIs through the previous season.

Kelly's Mady Johnson (19) waits for a pitch�during a 11-0 win over Sikeston on Thursday, Sep. 29.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“This group of six seniors has been playing varsity since their freshman year,” Heuring said. “So they know what it takes to succeed. They have put in a lot of time and work this summer and want to finish out their careers at Kelly with another district championship and hopefully another run to the final four.”

The Lady Hawks roster is further bolstered by the return of juniors Mady Johnson and Blaire Riley, both of whom have gained experience playing varsity the past two seasons. Expectations are high for these two players as they continue to develop their skills.

“We expect big things from them,” Heuring said.

Kelly's Macy Burger (8) bunts�during an 8-5 loss at Notre Dame on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.�Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

Johnson has shown her ability to excel at multiple positions including catcher, first base and the outfield. She helps provide the coaching staff with options in crafting the lineup and deploying her where she is most needed.

Riley, on the other hand, has been a strong player for Kelly, consistently delivering impressive performances. Last season, she had the team’s second-highest batting average (.356), 36 hits and a team-leading 22 RBIs.

While primarily an infielder in the past, Riley has embraced the transition to the outfield for the upcoming season and has shown promise during summer with this change. Her adaptability and offensive abilities make her a central figure to watch.

Additionally, junior Miley Estes is another player who will contribute on the mound, at the plate and potentially in the outfield. Her multi-dimensional skills make her an asset and add depth to the roster.

Juniors Gwen Essner and Clara Hopkins are also expected to see some varsity action, further strengthening the team’s overall performance.

The roster is filled with capable veterans and rising stars. Their collective efforts will be vital in achieving success, as they aim to continue the program’s tradition of excellence.

“We graduated an outfield that is one of the best we have had,” Heuring said. “So it is going to take a lot to replenish that but we have options and that is what we like to see. We need to see the speed, agility, a strong arm and a strong bat and we have several that can compete for a spot in the outfield with those skills. We have several younger girls that we hope will be able to contribute as well at the varsity level.”

The program is also filled with excitement as they welcome back longtime coach Rhonda Ratledge, who will be joining the team as an assistant coach.

“It has always been great to work with her in the past,” Heuring said. “We have some of the best fans and supporters in the area because we always have a good turnout for our games. Our parents and grandparents travel with us well, so it is always good to see their faces when we will pull into an away game. Their support is evident in the fact that because of their hard work, we have established a booster club for softball and have raised enough money to build a press box for these girls and our program which is long overdue. With the addition of lights last year from our bond issue, these additions have meant so much to our program. We hope to continue to get more sponsors and funding so we can complete some future projects like dugouts and netting for our backstop.”

Kelly starts its season at the Rockwood Summitt Tournament, beginning Friday, August 25.