Ozark pitcher Jordyn Foley’s selections as the COC Player of The Year and to the Class 5 All-State Second-Team headline her list of post-season awards.
Foley becomes the second Ozark player in as many years to be named the COC POY. A year ago, former Lady Tigers outfielder Abby Ford was tabbed for that honor.
Foley posted a 24-5 W-L record and 1.63 ERA, with 212 strikeouts and 22 walks over 171.2 innings. She had a 0.915 WHIP.
Foley, who led Ozark to the COC championship, is one of five unanimous All-COC First-Team selections.
Foley is joined on the All-COC First Team by teammate Kelsie Batey and Nixa’s Sara Sweaney, Maddy Meierer and Harper Simpson.
Meierer, a senior pitcher, was 18-5 with 1.53 ERA, 181 strikeouts and 27 walks over 151.1 innings. She, too is a Class 6 All-State Second-Team selection.
Sweaney, a junior first baseman/catcher, topped Nixa in most offensive statistical categories, including a .443 batting average, nine home runs and 43 RBIs. She joined the Lady Eagles’ 100-hit club late in the season.
Sweaney and Meierer were not unanimous Al-COC First-Team picks, part of what was viewed by many observers as surprising voting by the league's coaches.
Ozark’s 9-0 run within the COC, merited only two First-Team selections. Nixa, which finished tied third, has three First-Team picks.
Batey, a junior shortstop, batted .326 with 29 hits and 23 runs scored.
Simpson, a senior third baseman, batted .344 with five home runs and 32 RBIs.
The rest of the First-Team is made up of Republic first baseman Emi Essay, Neosho outfielder Autumn Kinnaird, Carl Junction second baseman Hannah Cantrell, Carthage third baseman Jenna Calhoon, Joplin outfielder Abby Lowery, Webb City second baseman Lily Hall and Willard shortstop Reece Anderson.
Ozark’s Second-Team selections are Audrey Carlton and Natalie Morgan, while Nixa is represented on the Second Team by Phoebe Gardner.
Carlton, a sophomore center fielder, topped Ozark with 37 RBIs, while batting .327 with six home runs. She had a team-high 14 doubles and 22 extra-base hits.
Morgan, a sophomore catcher, batted .355 and led Ozark with eight home runs. She had 30 RBIs while batting leadoff most of the season.
Gardner, a senior shortstop, batted .413 with 25 RBIs and 25 runs scored. She had 43 hits and finished as Nixa’s career hits leader with 156.
Ozark’s Savannah Hughes and Nixa’s Chloe Krans received honorable mention recognition.
Hughes led Ozark with a .362 batting average, to go along with five home runs and 19 RBIs.
Krans batted .321 with five homers and 21 RBIs.
The Class 5 District 3 First-Team includes Foley, Carlton, Morgan, Hughes and Batey, Meierer, Sweaney, Gardner and Nixa outfielder Rylee Harper.
The Class 5 Region 3 First-Team includes Foley, Meierer and Sweaney.
