SILOAM SPRINGS — At the end of every softball season, the Siloam Springs Lady Panthers begin preparations for the next year by selecting a theme.
After last season, in which Siloam Springs went 9-18 overall and 2-12 in the 5A-West, all thoughts kept going back to the Lady Panthers’ eyes and focus.
That translated into this season’s theme: “Coming into focus.”
“How important are your eyes in athletics?” said fourth-year coach Justin Blanchard. “What are you seeing as you hit the ball? Where are your eyes as you field the ball? ... Mentally, the focus part is even more important to us. Everything we do runs through that filter. When you’re at the plate, what are you focused on? Are you focused on the last swing that wasn’t your best, or are you focused on the next pitch that’s about to come your way? ... We want to be able to focus on the play itself and be able to focus on the details of that make you successful.”
The Lady Panthers have several veterans on the roster that will help make that a little easier, and to find them, Blanchard only has to stand on home plate and look straight out.
Junior Abi Sislo is a three-year starter for Siloam Springs at catcher and shortstop and will play both positions this year.
Junior All-Conference selection Haley Hunt hit 10 home runs for the Lady Panthers a year ago and won several games in the pitching circle. She also played in centerfield when she wasn’t pitching.
Senior Brittany Holmes is a four-year starter at second base, while junior Haley Littlejohn is a returning starter in the outfield and will pitch and play center field.
Blanchard expects freshman Morgan Curtis and first baseman Bridget Hayes to also be able to handle the bat.
Schedule
Siloam Springs Lady Panthers
Date Opponent Time
March 1 Harrison 4:30 p.m.
March 2 JV Jamboree (at Bentonville) TBA
March 4 at Gentry 5 p.m.
March 8-9 Lady Panther Invitational TBA
March 12 Rogers Heritage* 5 p.m.
March 14 at Bentonville* 5 p.m.
March 15 Prairie Grove 5 p.m.
March 26 Springdale* 5 p.m.
March 28 at Springdale Har-Ber* 5 p.m.
April 2 Fayetteville* 5 p.m.
April 4 Rogers* 5 p.m.
April 5 Pea Ridge 4:30 p.m.
April 9 at Van Buren* 5 p.m.
April 11 at Rogers Heritage* 5 p.m.
April 12 at Harrison 4:30 p.m.
April 13 JV Jamboree (home) TBA
April 18 Bentonville* 5 p.m.
April 19 at Springdale* 5 p.m.
April 23 at Gravette 5 p.m.
April 25 Springdale Har-Ber* 5 p.m.
April 26 at Fayetteville* 5 p.m.
April 30 at Rogers* 5 p.m.
May 2 Van Buren* 5 p.m.
May 9-11 Class 6A State Tournament (Russellville)
May 17-18 State Finals
'*' Denotes 7A/6A-West Conference game