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McClaughry's First Fall Ball with Scots a Productive Venture

Monmouth, IL (11/09/2020) — Other than poor weather delaying the start of the season, Alexa McClaughry's first softball fall ball practice season at Monmouth College was as productive as she had hoped, even with a pandemic.

"Actually, the COVID restrictions on group sizes really helped," said McClaughry, who took over for the retired John Goddard this summer. "As the new coach, starting in small groups allowed me to get to know the players and allowed them to get to know me much quicker than if we would have had a full squad at each practice."

Without the full squad, McClaughry was able to focus on the fundamentals with personal instruction. By the end of the fall, the Fighting Scots were able to field a full squad and the first-year coach got a good look at her team.

"There was a lot of improvement in everyone and in the team culture," reported McClaughry. "We started the fall with low energy, but by the end of it they were understanding me and my philosophy. It was refreshing at the end to see good competition at all positions."

McClaughry inherits a squad with 16 returners to go with a good group of freshmen and transfers - two which followed her to Monmouth from MacMurray. That means all but two are learning a new coach.

"The returners have done a great job making the transition to a new coach and a new style," praised McClaughry. "They're responding to what I'm doing and what I'm trying to create."

After the initial weather delay the second week of September, the Scots were able to get into a flow in practice. Gradually building for the spring, McClaughry accomplished almost everything she had planned.

"The only area where we fell short was in the amount of scrimmages I wanted to do," she said. "That had nothing to do with the women or COVID. It was all Illinois weather."

The shortfall in actual game competition didn't allow McClaughry to audition players at new positions, but she did see improvements around the diamond.

"We had a few players that stood out for various reasons, but we have a lot of energy and good leaders," said McClaughry. "We've got a really good senior class and they're setting the example and the tone for spring. I don't know that I could pinpoint one or two impact players, but we'll have good talent and depth."

Senior Alison Trettin and junior catcher Jessica Pauley led the way this fall as they did in 2019 - the last full season before COVID hit. In 2019 Pauley led the team with a .385 average and was second with 20 RBIs. Trettin was third that year, hitting at a .302 clip and leading the team in home runs.

Newcomer Calista Warmowski transferred to Monmouth last spring but took the shortened 2020 season off. A shortstop by trade, the sophomore took reps in centerfield this fall and impressed the Scots' coach.

"Due to need, we tried her in center and she did a wonderful job," praised McClaughry. "Alison really hit the ball well and showed she's an offensive threat. Jessica brings a lot of intense energy, but knows how and when to reel it back. She also has great leadership skills, which is what you would expect from a catcher."

McClaughry won't be hurting this spring for talented players at any position. If there was one lesson she learned from the fall, it's that she'll have plenty of good options at each position.

"We've got talent across the board," reported McClaughry. "A lot of it will come down to offensive ability. We're stacked at some positions and might have to change some positions to get the hot bats in the lineup. There aren't many set positions, so we expect a good competition in the spring."

The competition isn't limited to just the position players as McClaughry has a stable full of able arms in the circle.

"Our pitching staff made a lot of progress," said a pleased McClaughry. "We have four healthy pitchers on campus right now. Each of them made good strides, but we're not set on a No. 1 and 2 right now. Each one will make significant contributions by working together as a unit. Each one complements the other and that's a great asset for the team."

The Scots' only job now is to wait for spring and the hope of playing in 2021.

"I'm always excited for a new season," said McClaughry. "For me, as a coach, I always love seeing the hard work and dedication that the team puts in during the offseason bear fruit in the spring. I'm excited to see how everything we did in the fall translates to the spring when we have an actual opponent and face live game situations."

Other than that weather issue in early September, which pushed the Scots' last practices into 30-degree weather in late October, Monmouth's new coach has no complaints.

"The fall was pretty much everything I had wanted," said McClaughry.

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