Lady Eagle Softball Defends Top Three Position in LCC

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 By David Sharp 

Knox County began fall sports practice on August 7, 2023 as the top finishing Class 1 softball team in the Lewis and Clark Conference for the most recent area high school softball season. 

Two time defending Class 2 state champion Marceline and Fayette claimed the top two conference spots in 2022. Knox County was third in the final conference standings 

The Lady Eagles graduated a first team all-state catcher in Mizzou Track and Field senior Jennifer Hinkle. Four-year starter Brianna Miller also graduated with the Class of 2023. 

The Lady Eagles return All Region pitcher Agnes Reel for her senior season. Seniors Bryston Miller, Abby Becker and Savanna Schrage have been four year starters and or contributors along with Agnes Reel. 

Knox County returns two sophomore infielders who started as freshmen last season. Kennedy Parrish is projected to play shortstop and pitch. Myleigh Miller played second and third base last season as a freshman. 

Junior Shaylee Zuccarini is projected to take over the catching position. Knox County has an ace up their sleeves in the person of seven talented freshmen. 

Pitcher Kodie Lay handled much of the pitching load for the Brashear/ Knox County coop Middle School softball team in 2022. Lillie Penn, Amber Yoakum, Brynn Schwieter, Melayna Miller, Emma Browning and Ava Miller are the remaining freshmen softball players currently out for the team. 

Knox County has a total of 15 players currently on their softball team. The Knox County school system allows athletes to go out for Fall Sports teams up to and through the first day of school on August 22. 

MSHSAA rules provide that athletes must have participated in 14 practices before being eligible to participate in games with other schools. Knox County is coached by Lauren Dale assisted by Riley Strange. 

“We do have a good group of underclassmen coming up,” Lauren Dale told the Edina Sentinel. “We have a lot of speed, which we haven’t had in a while. Our outfield is probably going to be one of the quicker outfields that we have had in a while.” 

“Their athleticism that they bring. They are going to push out upperclassmen to be better,” Coach Dale said of her younger players. “They are going to bring competition to each position.” 

“We have good kids. They made it work. I think that last year the kids bought into the program. The leadership we have seen is that buy in. It’s exciting to see because we have underclassmen who want to learn,” Lauren Dale said. 

“They want to be a sponge to learn what we are doing. What it is about. We have upperclassmen that are not letting them get away with continuing old habits. We are tying to break the old habits and continue some new ones,” Dale said. 

“Seeing that is exciting. That leadership is just going to carry on through to the next classes. We are going to put Shaylee Zuccarini behind the plate. We set time for Shaylee and (assistant coach Riley Strange) to work with her. She wants to learn. She wants to do it.” 

“When I asked who was going to step up and be our catcher after last season, she was one of the first ones to step up and say I will do it. If she is going to do it, she wants to be good at it.” 

Knox County starts August 18 with a jamboree with Paris, South Shelby and Westran. The Lady Eagles host North Shelby on August 29. Knox County takes on one of the area softball powers in Class 1 state champion Canton on August 31 at Knox County. 

Knox County plays at the Monroe City Tournament slated for September 2, 2023. Monroe City is one of the projected top area softball teams. The Lady Eagles have another red letter day when they travel to Kirksville to take on a solid Brashear team on September 18. 

Knox County has another tough contest when they host Fayette on September 19. Knox County plays at Salisbury on September 26 then hosts South Shelby on September 26. 

Harrisburg, Fayette and Marceline have announced they will leave the Lewis and Clark Conference after the 2023-24 season. Marceline will join Brookfield in the Grand River Conference. 

Harrisburg and Fayette will join a tough baseball league with Linn and other Columbia/Jefferson City area schools. 

The Lady Eagles travel to Harrisburg then play in the Schuyler County Tournament on September 30. Knox County finishes their regular season at Marceline on October 3 and takes on a hard hitting Highland team at Ewing on October 5.