One sign of a solid NJCAA fastpitch softball program comes when a team loses many fine players to graduation, yet still manages to continue its winning ways. Head coach Frank Barnes has mastered the revolving door of players at the community college level during his eight seasons at Johnson County Community College.
Since taking over the program, Barnes has logged 398 victories, an average of 50 a season. He reached the 200-win, 250-win and 300-win plateaus faster than any of his predecessors, and has elevated the JCCC softball winning tradition to such a level that anything less than an NJCAA tournament berth is considered by JCCC fans to be an unsuccessful season.
Although the Cavalier criteria for success appears overall demanding, coach Barnes’ record stands as a testament that any team he coaches will be more than up to the challenge. His record at JCCC stands at an impressive 398-104 mark, and he owns an 1,080-323 record over his 25 years as a coach of women’s fastpitch softball.
In his eight years at JCCC, he has led JCCC to four conference titles, six Region VI championships, earned five berths in the NJCAA National Tournament, and has been ranked in the NJCAA preseason coaches poll each year.
"Our success can be attributed to each individual’s work ethic and their ability to understand their capabilities and limitations," Barnes said. "They also realize that it is going to take all of them working together to get it done and that by playing sound, fundamental softball, good things will result."
Last year’s squad fell short of his 50 win average, wining 43 games, but nine players earned postseason honors, including one All-American.
The 2005 JCCC softball team again reveals the potential to contend for the national championship. This year’s squad possesses a winning combination of experienced sophomore leaders, explosive bats and a promising young freshman class.
One of the mainstays of the sophomore class is Stacey Couch, a NJCAA and NFCA All-American in 2004. Couch proved to be one of the premier hitters in the country last season, batting .540 which ranked second nationally. She ripped 61 hits, including 14 doubles, a triple and four home runs.
Also returning this season is Tristin Brown, one of the premier power hitters in the country. An all-conference and all-district performer last year, Brown hit .427 (67-for-157) with nine doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 48 RBI. Her 12 round trippers ranked 12th nationally, are the third highest season total in JCCC history.
Another key returnee is April Huddleston at shortstop. Huddleston was an immediate impact player last year as she was able to step in and fill the void at shortstop with the loss of All-American Angie Mullins. Huddleston earned first-team all-conference and all-district accolades after hitting an impressive .351 with 59 hits, six doubles, a triple, a home run and 30 RBI. She missed most of the fall season with a knee injury, but should be fully recovered by the start of the season.
One of the more versatile performers for the Lady Cavaliers in 2004, Ashley McDougal, returns for her sophomore campaign this year. McDougal saw action in the circle, first base, and at the plate. She had a tremendous season as a pitcher and hitter. An all-conference and all-district performer, McDougal was the team’s leading pitcher with a 17-7 record and a 0.76 earned run average. Her ERA ranked 12th nationally. She also recorded 101 strikeouts and held her opponents to a batting average of .187.
McDougal was equally effective at the plate, batting .305, with 39 hits, including three doubles, 15 RBI and 22 runs.
Also returning the circle is Lindsey Oliver, an all-district selection in 2004. Oliver posted a 15-6 record, a 1.30 earned run average and 76 strikeouts. Her ERA ranked 38th nationally. At the plate, Oliver batted .333 (57-for-171) with 15 doubles, two home runs, 41 RBI and 26 runs. Her 15 doubles tie the ninth-best season total at JCCC, and her 41 RBI were second on the team.
Rounding out the returning sophomore class are outfielder Jessica Lambeth and outfielder/second baseman Jessica Ziegler.
Lambeth had a solid first collegiate season, batting .341 with 28 hits, including seven doubles, a triple and a home run. She drove in 22 runner and scored 20 times. She is expected to battle for a starting spot in the outfield this season.
Ziegler provided JCCC a key backup in the outfield last year. She batted .265 with eight hits, including a double, three RBI and 13 runs scored. Last year, Ziegler made the transition to the outfield after playing infield her entire prep career. She continues to make progress and is expected to contend for a starting position in right field.
Barnes also has produced a stellar freshman class that not only adds valuable depth, but several players will be key producers and make a major impact this season. The newcomers include: Megan Brock of Bogard, Mo., Amanda Forbis of Kansas City, Mo., Megan Goings of Derby, Kan., Danielle Huff of Lawrence, Kan., Katie Jeannin of Leavenworth, Kan., Kathy Kiblinger of Kansas City, Kan., MacKenzie Magenheimer of Olathe, Kan., Jennifer Narcomey of Lawrence, Kan., Kati Snelling of Newton, Kan., and Amanda Woolley of Kansas City, Kan.
Undoubtedly, a team with so much firepower, expectations will be high. Consequently, it is no surprise Johnson County has been picked the favorite to win the conference and region in 2005.
The 2005 season marks a new era in softball for Region VI. Fifteen programs switched to Division II this season, and will battle it out for one spot in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Johnson County and the other 14 schools from Region VI comprise District I.
The Lady Cavaliers will again be tested this season as the competition will be fierce as Region VI will once again be one of the toughest in the country. In addition to their always-competitive schedule in the East Jayhawk and Region VI, JCCC also will compete again this year in the Okaloosa-Walton Tournament in Florida.
"In the conference and region, we’re going to be everyone’s game of the year, so we will be facing some tremendous challenges," Barnes said. "We must focus on one game at a time and do the little things right. We believe that builds confidence in each player, which in turn promotes confidence in each other, and that’s how we’ve been successful."
Powerful at the plate and in the circle, JCCC’s dedicated coaching staff has spent the majority of the fall practice preparing the team mentally and physically for the upcoming season. By melding the maturity, skill and leadership of experienced collegiate players with the talent of newcomers, the 2004 JCCC softball team should reach its potential.
