Dragons to Firelake this week

Purcell came up on the short end of a pair of softball games Monday to open the 2024 season.

Dale defeated the Dragons 21-5 in the opener despite 3-3 hitting performances from a trio of Dragons.

Payci Constant, Hannah Whitaker and Anika Raper were all three perfect at the plate. Whitaker went yard in the game and had a pair of RBIs, a number matched by Mac McKay in a 1-3 outing.

Jasey Baker tripled in the contest and KK Vazquez smacked a double in a 2-3 outing.

Washington was also in town and pinned a 26-6 loss on the Dragons in three innings.

Vazquez, Ella Resendiz and Emma Renfro all went 2-2 in the game while Constant, Baker, Whitaker and McKay all went 1-2.

Kelly Anderson took the losses in the circle.

“We may have a small roster but we are going to have a lot of fun,” head coach Sarah Jones said.

“A lot of the girls who play fast-pitch do not play slow-pitch and that is completely fine.

“We want them to be successful in everything they are in,” she said.

The Dragons are led by two seniors, Kelly Anderson and Payci Constant.

Juniors on the roster include Ella Resendiz, Anika Raper, Hannah Whitaker, Haley Kretchmar and newcomer Kaleigh Thrash.

Sophomores dotting the roster are MacKenzie McKay, KK Vazquez, Josie Kretchmar and Emma Renfro.

Out this season as freshmen is Jasey Baker.

Rosie Smith and Becca Kuck are the managers.

“Ella and Hannah will throw with track and defend their state championship and runner-up in shot!

“Kelly will hold her own on the mound and has done a great job in our first two games,” Jones said.

“We were a little rusty but starting the season off with Washington and Dale was tough,” the coach said.

“Hannah, KK and Ella all had home runs and everyone did something well and we found things to work on,” Jones said.

“We are making contact and balls are going to start finding holes.

“We will play around with our defense as much as we can until we find the right fit. It is going to be a fun season and I think we will be just fine,” Jones said.

Coach Roger Raper is making his maiden voyage as a slow-pitch assistant coach.

“Coach Franco and our junior high girls are going to have a great season as well,” Jones said.

Purcell is scheduled to play in the NRC Tournament at Firelake Thursday and Friday.