ROGERS — One of the biggest voids on the Rogers High softball team has been quickly filled this season.
Ashley Ferguson was the starting shortstop for four seasons for the Lady Mounties, and all coach Mike Harper did to find a replacement was look across the middle infield to Chandler Little.
“Chandler was our first pick,” Harper said.
Profile
Chandler Little
Rogers High
CLASS: Junior
POSITION: Shortstop
NOTABLE: Earned all-conference honors as a sophomore after batting .427. ... Switched to shortstop this season and is hitting .400 with five doubles and seven RBIs.
Little had a breakout season a year ago, as the then-sophomore turned in a stellar defensive effort at second base and at the plate while earning 7A/6A-West All-Conference honors. She batted .427 with 38 hits and 27 runs scored last season.
That performance and the fact Little logged time at shortstop in junior varsity games made the move to shortstop all the easier for Harper.
“It’s been pretty smooth, and we figured it would be,” Harper said. “Chandler is getting more comfortable all the time.”
Little said she has had to become more aggressive at her new position in the infield.
“You can wait on the ball at second. You can’t do that at shortstop,” Little said. “You have to charge the ball harder because you have less time to throw it. It’s also a longer throw that makes you be more focused.”
Little is having another solid season at the plate as she’s hitting .400, including .417 in conference games, for a Rogers team that’s 2-1 in league play.
“I have learned to hit the outside pitch because that is all I saw last year,” Little said. “Experience always helps, and we have a lot of players on our team with experience that are stepping up.”
Little has been playing softball since she first picked up a glove in elementary school, and she now plays softball year-round. After the high school season, the junior — who has stopped playing basketball — joins her Oklahoma Tuff E Nuff travel team.
Little said playing every weekend in the summer has helped her prepare for the competition in the 7A/6A-West. Rogers returns to action today when it travels to Siloam Springs. The Lady Mounties host Springdale Har-Ber on Friday and Bentonville on Monday.
“As I got older, it got a lot more fun and I started playing travel ball in the sixth grade,” Little said. “All the players that are still playing at this age want to play in college, so they are all pretty good. That type of competition really helps you become a better player.”
Harper said Little’s experience has helped Rogers more than just on the field and at the plate.
“Chandler is taking on more and more leadership roles for us,” Harper said. “When you play 70 games in a short period of time, that always helps your game. It also gives you a competitive edge that you need to be successful. Chandler handled the switch pretty well, and she did a great job last year.
“She is a leader.”