Lady Wampus Cats look to surprise teams this season
With a big senior class and seven returning starters, look for Conway’s Lady Cats to make a leap in 2018. Chaka Hickey’s fifth CHS squad aims to improve from 2017, when the Lady Cats finished 16-13 overall (8-6 in the 7A Central), falling in the opening round of the Class 7A State Tournament to Bentonville West, 10-4. Working together is the Lady Cats’ major strength. “This team has a large senior class, and they are great about giving advice and helping the younger girls figure things out to improve on their skills,” Hickey said. “They are doing a great job in holding their teammates accountable for our success. “We are a good mix of youth and experience. We have new faces in new places. We are going to be a great team that is really not on anyone’s radar, but we will surprise a lot of people.” Back to lead the charge are senior infielder Holly Stewart, who led the team in offense last year; senior pitcher Allie St. John, who recorded 20 RBIs as a junior and who has committed to Central Baptist College; sophomore center fielder Tremere Harris, who led Conway with 41 runs scored; senior utility player Megan Solberg; junior pitcher Shelby Reed, described by Hickey as “a fundamental team player”; and senior outfielders/pinch runners Mae Roach and Brynn Schuetter, who are “smart on the bases and aggressive,” Hickey said. Stewart, who batted .545 with 41 RBIs, 12 doubles and 5 home runs last year, is Conway’s best hitter for average and best power hitter. She will play next year for Pensacola (Florida) State College. Sophomore infielder Addie Jordan is the team’s best fielder. Hickey said she is versatile and “can catch and play utility along the left side of the infield.” Harris, who has committed to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, has the team’s best speed. “She can flat-out fly on the bases and in the outfield,” Hickey said. “She is a very aggressive runner on the bases.” Sophomore Madeline Bruce has the best arm. “She is a lefty in the outfield but quick and accurate,” the coach said.
St. John and Reed will be the Lady Cats’ best pitchers. “They have been the workhorses for the varsity team in the past,” Hickey said. A team weakness? “New people in new places,” she said. “That can be good and bad. We lack experience, but we have the ability to do what we need to do in these areas. We also have the work ethic to achieve.” Conway plays in the 7A Central against Bryant, Cabot, Little Rock Central, Mount St. Mary, North Little Rock, Fort Smith Northside and Fort Smith Southside. Bryant had the Central’s top seed for the Class 7A State Tournament last spring. The Lady Hornets reached the semifinals. Also qualifying for the state tournament were Cabot, the league’s second, which also made the semifinals. North Little Rock, the third seed, beat Bryant in the semifinals before falling to Bentonville in the statechampionship game. Conway and Northside, seeded fourth and fifth, respectively, lost their first-round contests. “The 7A Central games are always a great match,” Hickey said. “North Little Rock, Cabot and Bryant are top-notch programs and always lead to great competition.” Overall, she said, the Lady Cats are excited to hit the field this spring. “We have new faces in some key spots this year, and we look to improve and continue to build on what we started last year,” Hickey said.