After a successful season a year ago, head coach Joy Marie Galliart is looking forward to seeing what this team can do as they build off that success and look to bring home some hardware this season.
“This year’s team looks to continue to build on the success from our 2021 campaign. We will have a core group of players returning from that group and will look for some new faces to step up to fill the spots left due to graduation,” said coach Galliart.
Some obvious standouts are back like Brynn Daniel (SS, Jr.) who will return at shortstop giving the Lady Spartans solid defense up the middle.
“Brynn is a versatile athlete who can play multiple spots on the field but expects to anchor down our middle infield at shortstop again this season. Brynn has an above average arm and hits for power. She runs the bases well and has a keen understanding of the game,” said Galliart.
Kindal Biggs (C, Jr.) is behind the plate again this season. The defensive standout is expected to have a big season.
“Kindal is expected to handle the majority of our catching duties this fall. She has been an All-District selection behind the plate her first two seasons and garnered District Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman. Kindal works well with our pitching staff, has very solid fundamentals defensively, an above average arm, and will also be a key contributor offensively,” said Galliart.
Sarah Barbee (P, 1B, So.) turned some heads as a freshman and is now expected to be an important player in the lineup.
“Sarah was our number two pitcher as a freshman and is expected to slide into our number one spot following the graduation of our top arm from last year. Sarah will also fill in at one of our corner spots on the infield when she isn’t in the circle and is expected to also be a significant contributor offensively,” said coach Galliart.
Another experienced player to watch is Alyssa Nielsen (3B, Sr.) at third.
“Alyssa is a multi-sport athlete at Bixby who brings a wealth of experience to our program. She is a versatile athlete who works daily to be at the top of her game and contribute to the success of our team in any way she can. Alyssa’s competitive drive is top notch, and she wants to be pushed by those around her to make her the best athlete and teammate she can be. She will provide much needed senior leadership this fall and will set an example daily to everyone in our program,” said coach Galliart. Kinsley Nichols (1B, 3B, Jr.) is versatile enough to play the corners giving coach Galliart some options in the infield.
Other players to watch include Ariel Beck (P, OF, Sr.), Shay Barbee (C, OF, So.), Kolie Cozort (OF, So.), Harlee Ashford (3B, So.), Savannah Duran (OF, P, Jr.), Hayden Byrne (OF, Jr.), Katelynn Esteves (OF, Sr.), Emma Friedrichsen (OF, P, Fr.), Gracelyn Gruenwald (1B, 3B, Fr.), Hope McCurley (1B, Sr.), Elise Gibson (OF, Sr.), Kaylee Raines (2B, 3B, Sr.), and Addi Swank (OF, So.).
