Expectations are high for the Wynne Lady Yellowjackets who return everyone from a team that finished top eight in the state and were district tournament champions.
Lady Jackets coach Ashley Busby, who is entering her seventh season at Wynne, said last year’s team met her high expectations.
“I knew that we had freshmen coming up that were very talented. I knew [there were] talented returners that we had,” she said. “I knew what we had. I don’t know that everyone else knew what we had.”
Busby said there are four seniors on this year’s squad, who will all play important roles. Katy Moore played shortstop and pitched last year, while Ally Glover also spent a lot of time on the mound. Alyssa Webb played catcher, and Kallyn Smith was in the designated hitter position.
Busby noted the underclassmen are just as competitive.
“What were freshmen last year are now sophomores with a little experience under their belts. We’re seeing some leadership skills out of those guys, too,” she said. “We’ve got a really important freshman class coming in. They’re competing. That’s something I’ve been very upfront about. All nine positions are always open. Nothing is ever set in stone.
“Competition is something I just love out of this year’s group,” Busby added. “Every day they’re pushing each other and competing for positions.”
The Wynne Lady Jackets moved to a more competitive 4A-3 conference last year from a conference that featured several Little Rock teams. Busby said that move forced the Lady Jackets to up their game.
“Brookland, we played in the finals last year of the district tournament. They’re always a tough one,” she said. “Jonesboro Westside, they’re always really strong in softball as well, and Batesville Southside. Those are usually the top three that will be tough for us.”
The lady jackets begin their 2024 season with a three-game road trip including games on Tuesday at Nettleton and next Thursday at Marion.
The home opener is Tuesday, March 5, against Searcy.
Here is this year’s Wynne Lady Yellowjackets softball schedule:
| Monday, February 26 | Nettleton (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Thursday, February 29 | Marion (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Monday, March 4 | Stuttgart (A) | 5 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Tuesday, March 5 | Searcy (H) | 5:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Thursday, March 7 | Trumann (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Monday, March 11 | Tuckerman (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Thursday, March 14 | Batesville Southside (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Friday, March 15 – Saturday, March 16 | Blazer Blast Tournament | TBA | Varsity/JV |
| Friday, March 22 | South Panola Tournament | TBA | Varsity/JV |
| Monday, March 25 | Brookland (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Thursday, March 28 | Highland (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Monday, April 1 | Pocahontas (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Thursday, April 4 | Westside (A) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Friday, April 5 | Marion (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Monday, April 8 | Forrest City (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity |
| Thursday, April 11 | Blytheville (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity |
| Thursday, April 18 | Mountain Home (H) | 4:30 p.m. | Varsity/JV |
| Friday, April 19 – Saturday, April 27 | District Tournament | TBA | Varsity |
| Thursday, May 2 – Saturday, May 4 | Regional Tournament | TBA | Varsity |
| Thursday, May 9 – Saturday, May 11 | State Tournament | TBA | Varsity |
| Friday, May 17 – Saturday, May 18 | State Tournament Finals | TBA | Varsity |
