New coach and new attitude for Bowling Green softball

Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) Bowling Green competing in the Monroe City jamboree, along with Highland, on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Lions Club Field in Monroe City. (H-W Photo/Mike Thomas) BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — There's a new look to the Bowling Green softball team this year. The Lady Cats have a new head coach, Mackenzie Milosovich, and a youthful roster. 'I was the eighth-grade head coach when the juniors and sophomores were playing,' said Coach Milosovich. 'Matt Jayne decided he didn't want to coach anymore and we really didn't have anybody to step up. I'm really passionate about the program, so I decided to do it. Allison Hunter, my assistant, was the assistant coach last year and I couldn't do it without her.' There's also a new attitude for the players, with Bowling Green having more of a family atmosphere this season. Bowling Green's players are willing to play whatever position the coaching staff wants, being selfless on a team that needs versatility. 'We've just really worked on our team mentality a little bit,' said Coach Milosovich. 'That was a little lacking last year. So we're working on our mental game. We're working on coming together as a team and doing what's best for the team, not just what's best for me. We before me.' That attitude starts with senior Miley Thompson, who mostly played third base last season and will mostly play first base this season with the graduation of Sara Reid. 'I'm liking how the team is,' said Thompson. 'I like the communication that we've had coming together. I think it's a lot more friendly than last year. I think we're more of a team than individuals this season. I'm excited to see how we go.' The Lady Cats will look to Thompson to be one of its leaders this season, as several underclassmen will be in the everyday lineup. 'I think our underclassmen are very good,' said Thompson. 'I will say that 100% of the time they know what they are doing. They know softball. I think they will grow as a team really well.' Thompson played mostly third base last season, but will play more at first base this season with the graduation of Sara Reid. Junior Macie Milosovich mostly played left field last season and will play there occasionally this season, but is being moved to third base this season. She batted .317 with a .394 on-base percentage, three home runs and 18 RBIs last season. Sophomore Elsie Barton will take over at second base and senior Reagan Jennings at shortstop. Schumacher will spell Jennings at shortstop and be used as a utility player. 'Avery Schumacher will be our utility girl,' said Coach Milosovich. 'She's just going to bounce in between the infield and outfield, wherever she's needed. She can play some first two when Miley plays third. So you'll see her all over the field.' With Haiden Chandler graduating, sophomore Taylor Reynolds takes over at center field. Bowling Green will also utilize senior Alli Hustedde in the outfield. Regardless of the defensive alignment, Bowling Green feels good about its fielding. 'Defense is looking good,' said Thompson. 'I'm excited for the defense.' One of the reasons why Bowling Green will be shifting its defense around is because of its pitching situation, as the Lady Cats will alternate between four different pitchers. 'I think we're just going to be moving and grooving,' said Coach Milosovich. 'We got to find the right combination. I'm so thankful for our pitchers, but I don't think that we'll have just one pitch the entire season. So we'll just be bouncing around from spot to spot.' Bowling Green graduated Lyla Kent, who started 20 games in the circle last year, and is dealing with the injury of sophomore Nora Trower, who tore her ACL last basketball season. 'Nora is the best team player,' said Coach Milosovich. 'She's over there right now throwing soft toss to the team. So we're lucky to have her, even if it's in that capacity.' Coach Milosovich will turn to four different players to fill the gaps at pitcher. 'When Nora got hurt, there were several girls who came out of retirement,' said Coach Milosovich. 'So we'll have Quinn Millinder pitching a little bit and we'll have Taylor Reynolds pitching some. Elsie Barton will pitch and Brynn Gregory. Those are going to be our four that we'll rotate between.' The Lady Cats graduated catcher Karli Dean and has two different options behind the plate this season — Millinder and Jennings. 'When Quinn is not pitching, she'll be catching,' said Coach Milosovich. 'She's our main catcher. Then, Reagan Jennings, our other senior captain, will be stepping in some as a catcher. So we're really just going to be all over the field this year.' Offensively, Bowling Green has a powerful trio of Macie Milosovich, Millinder and Jennings. Jennings batted .296 and Millinder batted .300 last season. 'We have some strong hitters,' said Coach Milosovich. 'Quinn Millinder is a strong hitter. Reagan Jennings is a strong hitter. We have some great bunters. Taylor Reynolds is trying to be a slap hitter, so I'm hoping around midseason we'll have her in that position. I think offensively we're going to be good this year.' Over the summer, Bowling Green spent a lot of time working on its hitting. 'You always have ups and downs with hitting,' said Thompson. 'I think our team is doing a lot better than we have been in a while. So I'm excited to see how we do.' Reynolds led the Lady Cats with nine stolen bases last season and will be more aggressive on the base paths this season. 'We're fortunate because Taylor's very fast, so we're looking forward to seeing what she can do,' said Coach Milosovich. 'She's doing lessons and trying to get better at doing that before she really steps up into it.' Another player who can cause some headaches for opposing teams on the base paths is Hustedde, who is a track standout for Bowling Green. 'We have some fast girls on the team,' said Thompson. 'We have Alli Hustedde, who will contribute. Then, Taylor Reynolds is a little fast thing too. I'm not going to move as fast as the other girls, but I'm smart on the bases.' Bowling Green finished 12-13 the past two seasons and are hoping to have a winning season in 2026. 'I think that we should win our conference, if not our district,' said Thompson. 'That's what we're shooting for. I want to go all out. This is my last year, so I want to get a big win.'