More experience key for Lady Yellowjackets
Mountain View finished just 6-12 overall last year, but the Lady Yellowjackets hammered Green Forest, 15-0, in the opening round of the 3A-1 East District Tournament to advance to the postseason. Michael Gray’s team thus qualified for the Class 3A Region 3 Tournament, where its season ended after a 7-1 opening-round loss to Walnut Ridge, winner of the 3A-4. But six returning starters have Gray and the Lady Yellowjackets optimistic for 2018. “We have a more experienced team, so we hope that will result in competitive games and give us a chance to win more games,” he said. Returning starters include senior catcher Abby Rains, junior second baseman/pitcher Kadyn Johnson, junior pitcher/second baseman Lily Minick, senior shortstop Jordan Looney, sophomore left fielder Avery Decker and senior center fielder Rhiannon Storey. Johnson is expected to be one of the Lady Yellowjackets’ leaders. Gray listed her as best hitter for average, best power hitter and, with Minick, best pitcher. He tabbed Looney as best fielder and best arm. Kylie Minick, Rhiannon Storey and Aubrey Isbell have the team’s best speed. The team strength is experience, but a weakness is “a tough schedule,” Gray said. That schedule includes games against Class 4A teams Southside Batesville, Riverview and Heber Springs. In 2017, Mountain View lost to Southside Batesville, 19-1; Riverview, 15-14; and Heber Springs, 12-0 and 14-7. So how will the Lady Yellowjackets make it back to the postseason this spring? “We hope to improve in all areas and learn to finish games,” Gray said. Mountain View will compete in combined classification 3A/4A District 7 with Bald Knob, Cedar Ridge, Harding Academy, Heber Springs, Newport, Riverview, Rose Bud, Southside Batesville and Tuckerman. To advance to regional action, the Lady Yellowjackets must be one of the top four teams from the 3A-1 East District Tournament, which will also include Bergman, Clinton, Green Forest, Marshall, Melbourne, Valley Springs and Yellville-Summit. Last season, Clinton won the district tournament.