LINN — First-year Linn softball coach Jason Dudenhoeffer’s three assistants arrive from different backgrounds, but Hailey Dudenhoeffer, Lindsey Brandt, and Hannah Clark share an important connection.

All three were part of the Lincoln University softball program before joining a new Lady Cats staff charged with developing a 13-player roster that includes five seniors and five freshmen. Linn returns nearly all of last season’s offensive production but none of the pitchers responsible for its 188.1 varsity innings.

The assistants’ varied experiences allow them to divide those developmental responsibilities while helping throughout the program.

“All of us coaches are bouncing ideas off each other and figuring out our roles as we go,” Brandt said. “We are a brand-new coaching staff, and there are a lot of duties and responsibilities that come with coaching that we are all contributing to.”

Hailey, a 2019 Linn graduate and middle school English language arts teacher, was a four-year softball letter-winner. She primarily played varsity outfield and also pitched and played infield in junior varsity games.

After graduating, Hailey enrolled at Lincoln as an education major and joined the softball program as a student manager. She later changed her major to health promotion and wellness. When Jason Ollison became Lincoln’s coach, she received an opportunity in 2023 to play after two years away from competition.

“This was an opportunity of a lifetime for me,” Hailey said. “My heart was still in the game.”

She played one season as a utility player before injuring her right shoulder on a diving play in the outfield and undergoing surgery. Hailey graduated in December 2023, then completed her time at Lincoln as a student manager in May 2024.

Her coaching background includes working with her stepfather, Andy Warren, in the Osage Stars travel program. She spent two years as the 18U team’s outfield and first-base coach before the program concluded in June 2025.

Hailey moved back to Linn in February after living in Kansas City for a year and taking a break from coaching. She applied when school positions became available.

“After being told that Jason would be the head coach, I was excited for the team and coaching staff,” Hailey said. “He loves the game and will defend the girls any chance he gets.”

Hailey helps wherever she is needed, including working with Brandt and the outfielders during warmups. On game days, she charts the opposing team, provides situational instruction in the dugout, and expects to coach third base during junior varsity games.

At practice, Hailey emphasizes stretching and nutrition, two areas whose importance she did not fully understand until college. She also wants each player to learn daily, recognize incremental improvement and enjoy the game.

Her most basic standard is a willingness to be present and involved.

“If they want to be there, then they are open to learning, trying new things and having fun,” Hailey said.

With Linn’s limited numbers, she has emphasized that every player affects the team’s success. Hailey learned during her own career that a player on the bench still has a role that matters.

Brandt, a 2021 Linn graduate and second-grade teacher, brings one of the program’s most accomplished recent playing backgrounds to the staff.

She was Linn’s varsity shortstop throughout high school and also played point guard for the Lady Cats’ basketball team. Brandt was a four-year All-District and All-Conference softball selection, earned All-Region recognition twice, and led the team in batting average for three seasons.

Brandt earned a starting outfield spot at Jefferson College during her freshman season, and the team reached the regional championship in both of her seasons. She earned an associate degree in teaching in 2023 before transferring to Lincoln.

Brandt joined a rebuilding program with 30 newcomers and four returning players, helping lay the foundation for a program win record established in 2026. She completed student teaching during her final softball season and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2025.

After spending her first year of teaching in Jefferson City, Brandt missed being part of the Linn community and began exploring coaching opportunities. Jason approached her about joining his staff at the same time.

“It kind of all just fell into place,” Brandt said.

Brandt primarily works with Linn’s outfielders and hitters. She runs outfield drills, throws batting practice, evaluates swings, and teaches individual skills during team defense. During games, she coaches first base, discusses lineup decisions with Jason, and helps adjust the defense.

Brandt wants the players to understand more than a fixed response to a particular situation. The staff is attempting to develop their softball IQ so they can recognize what is happening and adjust as a play, at-bat or game develops.

“I think at times it’s easy to teach the simple way and a hard-and-fast rule to situations to avoid going through the growing pains that go with developing an IQ of softball,” Brandt said.

That process requires the younger players to absorb considerable information while preparing to contribute immediately. Brandt believes the benefits will become apparent later in the season and throughout their careers.

Brandt initially wondered how five seniors and five freshmen would mesh, but she said the players have embraced becoming a team and encouraged one another on and off the field.

Brandt has been particularly impressed by seniors Paige Senevey and Anna Peters. Senevey has accepted a communication role in center field, while Peters returned to the pitching circle because of Linn’s limited numbers and has remained coachable and willing to learn.

Brandt wants to use her recent playing experience to help the Lady Cats handle adversity. She also wants them to know their value does not depend upon the result of one play.

“I want to be someone the girls can count on, whether they strike out, make an error, have a diving play or hit a home run,” Brandt said. “I want to be in their corner, supporting them as a person over them as an athlete.”

Clark gives the staff a specialist for the program’s greatest area of transition.

A Kentucky native, Clark pitched throughout her childhood and high school career before continuing at Lincoln. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2022 and is now a fourth-grade teacher at Linn Elementary School.

Clark said college softball taught her about preparation, discipline, competitiveness, and next-level expectations. Her previous coaching experience included individual work with pitchers.

Her instruction includes mechanics, location, movement, consistency, pitch development, and changing speeds. Clark evaluates each pitcher individually and has devoted considerable attention to developing changeups.

“You can throw five different pitches, but if you can’t locate them, it doesn’t really matter,” Clark said. “I want them to be able to change speeds, attack different parts of the zone and understand why we’re calling certain pitches.”

Clark also stresses the mental demands of pitching. She wants the Lady Cats to remain composed after a bad pitch or difficult inning instead of allowing one mistake to snowball.

During games, Clark studies pitch effectiveness and each pitcher’s response to adversity. She communicates her observations to the staff as it determines how to approach hitters and what adjustments are necessary.

Her evaluation extends beyond victories and strikeouts. Clark watches whether Linn’s pitchers get ahead, limit walks, trust their pitches, change speeds, adjust, and give the defense opportunities to record outs.

Kenzy Hackmann has helped by communicating with Linn’s pitchers and holding them accountable. Clark has also been encouraged as the group learns from mistakes and gains confidence.

“My specialty allows me to focus closely on our pitching staff, while the other coaches are able to focus on different areas,” Clark said. “We communicate about what we’re seeing and what the girls need. I think that allows us to give the players more individualized instruction.”

Hailey views their common Lincoln background as another strength.

“I think it is really awesome we all came from Lincoln University and all were a part of the softball program,” she said. “We all have our areas we mainly work with, but we all also just go everywhere and help in any way we can.”

The assistants share similar measures of success. They want the Lady Cats to compete and win, but they place equal importance on development, confidence, accountability, fundamentals, and responding properly to adversity.

Hailey pointed to bunts, hitting cutoff players, positive body language, and the small contributions required to win. Brandt wants the Lady Cats to gain confidence in one another, while Clark wants them playing their best softball late in the season.

Their long-term goals also extend below the high school level. Brandt wants to help build a program Linn can be proud of and young girls want to join. Hailey hopes the success of this summer’s youth camp leads to stronger participation and larger rosters. Clark wants consistent fundamentals and expectations to carry from one class to the next.

Clark also wants the players to enjoy an experience that will pass more quickly than they realize.

“I want to challenge them and prepare them to compete, but I also want them to leave the program with good memories and lessons that go beyond softball,” Clark said.

Editor’s Note: This story was slated for publication in the OMG fall magazine, which limited space did not permit.