Lady Lions look ahead to softball campaign

The Rushville Lady Lions’ softball team lost a few key pieces from last year’s 9-14 squad that will need replaced. A battery that hasn’t changed for several seasons (Grace Muir and Kara Chandler) are graduated, and coach Amanda Norris replaced by Chrissy Tabeling.

Rushville will be returning sophomore Stacey Roberts, who spent time in the circle as a freshman. Roberts started eight games for the Lady Lions while filling in for Chandler, who missed time with an injury. She was 4-9 on the season in her 75.1 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts.

2021 All-EIAC shortstop Briley Munchel will lead Rushville’s infield, while CLASSMATE Belle Gossett will lead the outfield again from her center field position. Molly Zachery, along with Munchel and Gossett, are the three seniors for the Lady Lions this season. Munchel led the team in hits with 30 while hitting .333 with five extra base hits. Gossett was a .296 hitter a season ago and her two dingers tied with Zachery for the team lead. Zachery hit .300 with 12 RBIs while manning the hot corner for Rushville; she is also a candidate to take Muir’s spot behind the plate.

Layla Shepherdson was a sparkplug at second base for the Lady Lions in her freshman season and played gold glove caliber defense. She struck out 14 times as a rookie but still managed a .324 batting average.