Atwood plans to propel Pekin in postseason

PACKWOOD - Besides a complete season with no coronavirus problems, Pekin High School head softball coach Shelby Atwood says there is one thing that would make the 2020 season a success.

'We have to continue to get better game after game and make a run at state again,” Atwood said.

The Panthers won two postseason games last year before dropping a 4-3 decision to Wapello after splitting with the Arrows in the regular season.

Atwood starts her second year leading the Panthers on the field. The Panthers were 19-14 last season and finished 10-6 in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division.

'I look to see us compete for the top of the conference this year with the players we have returning,” Atwood said. 'Louisa-Muscatine was runner-up at state last year in Class 3A and still brings back a lot of talent.”

L-M won the North at 15-0 (35-5 overall) while Highland was second at 12-4, 17-9, then Winfield-Mt. Union (11-5, 18-9) and Pekin. Wapello was fifth at 9-5, 17-14.

Pekin returns senior third baseman Emilee Linder, who was a pick for first team all-conference, all-district, and third team all-state last year. She was fifth in the North with a .455 batting average, tied for fourth in runs scored, first in triples with five and fourth in total bases.

Other seniors are left fielder Remi Duwa (. 229 BA), right fielder Sami Greiner (. 253 BA), pitcher and first baseman Kylie Davis (3.98 earned run average, 7-3 record), pitcher Cari Duwa (2.37 ERA, 6-8 Record) and pitcher and first baseman Faith Goudy (2.22 ERA, 4-2 Record).

Junior catcher Emi Zook, second baseman Erika Coleman (. 295 BA) and shortstop Alli Bainbridge return. Zook had a .407 batting average and made second team all-conference while Bainbridge was an utility all-conference pick with a .304 batting average.

Bainbridge led the North in assists and Linder was second. Zook was second in home runs in the North with five, behind graduated teammate Zoey Wright's seven. Ledger was fifth in the North in runs batted in with 29.

'Our strength is that we have a lot of returning starters from last year's team,” Atwood said. 'We will rely on the leadership of our seniors, who all were a part of last year's team.”

The Panthers must be fundamentally sound without a lot of practice time.

'Our biggest concern is falling short of what we believe we can accomplish this year,” Atwood said. 'We know we need to take care of the small things on the field and that will create opportunity for us as the season goes.”

Atwood sees two other juniors Hannah Lucas and Taylor Parmenter as promising newcomers.

'They show speed and ability to put the ball in play,” Atwood said.

The Panthers have a lot to accomplish in a shortened season.

'Because of the coronavirus, this year will definitely be different from previous years, but we are trying to not let it affect us too much,” Atwood said. 'Keeping our distance from each other can be difficult because we are one big family during softball. It's what you want as a team and that's what helps you succeed, so that will be difficult for the girls, but they are doing a nice job trying to follow the state guidelines.”

Pekin softball schedule

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

Monday, June 15, 5:30 p.m.

New London at Pekin

Tuesday, June 16

Wapello at Pekin

Thursday, June 18

Pekin at Winfield-Mt. Uniom

Friday, June 19

West Burlington at Pekin

Monday, June 22

Columbus at Pekin

Tuesday, June 23

Pekin at Highland

Thursday, June 25

Pekin at Hillcrest

Monday, June 29

Pekin at Lone Tree

Tuesday, July 7, 5:30 p.m.

Sigourney at Pekin

Thursday, July 9

Cardinal at Pekin

Friday July 10, 5:30 p.m.

Fairfield at Pekin (doubleheader)