O’Neil, Terryberry to lead Longhorn softball

The Longhorns’ softball team will kick off the Chase County fall sports’ season next week.
Games begin Tuesday with contests against Minden and Southern Valley/Alma in Stamford.
The Longhorns have 17 players on the roster and six are returning starters.
The team is led by two seniors, Ella O’Neil and Markenna Terryberry. Both started last year at third base and left field, respectively.
CCS Head Coach Denise Smith said she sees the pair as calm, patient leaders.
    “They don’t get agitated and both are setting good examples of what a good teammate looks like,” Smith said.
    There are a couple of others who are finding a little more of their voice, she added.
Juniors Kayla Chavira and Jaiden Hill return as starting pitchers. Jesusita Ruiz also has pitching experience.
Smith said she wishes she had a few more pitchers on the roster.
“You can never have enough pitchers because it is a big part of the game. I think Kayla and Jaiden will continue to develop and be important to our team’s success,” Smith said.
Sophomore Hailey Markee and junior Aurora Griebel also return as letter winners to help replace the five players who graduated from last year’s team.
Smith has extra help on the sideline this season.
Malorie Connelly, a new CCS middle school math teacher, will serve as assistant coach.
Karli Hale, a new CCS high school math teacher, will help as a volunteer coach.
Reinforcing fundamentals is a priority for the coaches and players.
“We have been trying to stress being ready, finding a place to be (ball, base, back up), working on those little things that can create better habits,” Smith said.
The Longhorns’ schedule has a new look, especially  compared to last year.
COVID took Colorado schools off last year’s schedule, but they have returned for 2021.
Holyoke and Wray, regulars on the Longhorns’ schedule, have returned this year.
A home-and-away series has been added against Yuma, Colorado.
Rather than go to the Scottsbluff/Gering tournament in September, CCS will travel to Gothenburg, another team that has gone to the tournament in the past, for JV and varsity games Sept. 11.
Another addition to the line up is Hershey.
The Panthers are fielding a team for the first time and host CCS in a doubleheader Sept. 9.
The Longhorns will wrap up the regular season Oct. 2, hosting Class B’s Alliance and Chadron.
Districts will also have a new look this season, being played on a Monday, rather than a Thursday. Opponents and a site have yet to be announced.