With Jeff Null’s first full recruiting class, he signed an All Star roster of area talent. All but one of the 17 Lady Raiders on this year’s softball team are from Missouri. The lone outsider, from Mountain Home, Ark., is returning sophomore first baseman Peyton Gunn. Among the freshman class is Summer Shockley (Van Buren), Gracie King (Poplar Bluff), and Gracie Gargac (Naylor). Ally Law (Neelyville) has also transferred from Mineral Area. Drive a little farther and you’ll reach the home towns of freshmen Sydney Tollison (Cape Girardeau), Lindsey Elfrink (Cape Girardeau), Allison Pingel (Farmington), Kristyn Carpenter (Camdenton), Sophie Wunderlich (Jackson), Kari Hatridge (Salem), Macy Rogers (Kirksville), and Kirstien Loman (Willow Springs). Five sophomores return from last year’s 30-26 team, led by All-Region XVI selection Randi Scruggs (Farmington). As a freshman center fielder and leadoff hitter, Scruggs hit .420 with 53 stolen bases, 22 RBIs, 10 doubles, four triples and a home run. “We are expecting big things out of her,” Null said. Kabrien Rogers (Naylor) and Kira Cunningham (Broseley) also return. Both play primarily right field last year and are expected to do so again. Rogers hit .323 with 11 RBIs in 65 at bats while Cunningham hit .313 with four RBIs in 48 at bats. Cunningham also stole 14 bases and Cunningham swiped six.

A three-year starting pitcher at Twin Rivers, Cunningham also spent six innings in the circle and had a 4.67 ERA. Gunn is expected to add power off the bench. Three Rivers’ top returning pitcher is Carleigh Burnett, but Null said she is expected be a relief pitcher going into the season because of the strong freshman class. Burnett had a 3.71 ERA and a 12-10 record over 139.2 innings as last year’s No. 2 starter. She also had two saves over 10 appearances. “Carleigh is just consistent. That’s the best thing about her. I know what I’m going to get from her,” Null said. “She’s going to throw strikes, she can locate it well. She’s pitched in big games. She brings that consistency and experience.” Shockley, who won a state championship at Van Buren, is expected to get the start in Three Rivers’ season opener and hit around sixth in the lineup. “She came in probably our No. 3 at the start of the fall and ended up our No. 1,” Null said. Macy Rogers is currently the No. 2 pitcher with Burnett and Hatridge eating up innings in relief and in spot starts. “Huge upside, the problem has been staying healthy. But she has the best stuff of anybody,” Null said of Rogers. “All four of them are going to get a ton of action in the circle.” Pitching is both Three Rivers’ biggest improvement and biggest strength. After being dependent on his two starters last season, Null is suddenly spoiled with talent in the circle. On top of that, the pitchers are being coached once a week by Tracie Eudaley, who holds 10 single-season and career records at Southeast Missouri State, as well as the top four spots for single-season ERA. “Our pitching is just a lot better than it was. We are looking at pitching to lead us. Offensively, I think we will be adequate. Defensively that is an area of concern,” Null said. “I feel pretty confident going into the season. Whether we can take that step and be a regional champ is waiting to be seen.” Jason Gwin has also replaced Terry Pennington as assistant coach. Gwin was hired during the middle of the fall season and was once a catcher for the Raiders. He owns Strike Zone Sports Training Facility, which Null said he has sent players to for extra work over the years. “He is a positive, young minded person so the girls relate to him real well,” Null said. “He is there for him and they’ve responded really well. “It was just a good fit for us, looking for that right fit, looking for somebody who is positive and energetic.”

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic