The softball team will play its season opener at Wylie East High School on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
“Our [non-district] schedule should set us up for a pretty good run in districts,” head coach Chelsea Herndon said. “We’re playing some competitive teams; we always do in pre-season to prepare for districts because our district is so competitive, but I feel good. Any competition is good competition as long as we show up to play our game.”
The team went 1-1-2 in scrimmages this season, after winning against Trinity, tying against Rock Hill and losing against Southlake and Rowlett.
“My hope is that the girls come out every day and they compete,” Herndon said. “They work really hard in the fall, so I hope that they transfer that into the spring, and they play the game that I know they know how to play.”
Last year, the team finished with an overall record of 23-10-2 and went 11-3 in district games, where it finished in second place. The Hawks lost in the third round of playoffs against Plano West. In contrast, Wylie East ended its season 14-16-1, going 10-6 and fifth in districts, but not advancing to the playoffs.
“You have to pick yourself up [throughout the game],” pitcher Kate Buesing said. “What our team struggles with is we get down on ourselves, and it affects our games. [This year,] we’re going to improve on our mentality throughout the game and try to stay positive.”
The team has 12 members this year, meaning they only have three backup players since nine players must be on the field at one time. The team has only one assigned pitcher and catcher, with no backups for either position. In the event that a player is out due to injury or sickness, the coaches would look into moving a JV player up to varsity.
“If someone gets hurt, someone else is going to have to fill in at any given time,” Herndon said. “Everyone has to have each other’s back and be willing to play whatever role is necessary for the team to be successful.”
Last season, several players said one of the team’s biggest challenges was chemistry among team members. This year, shortstop Haylee Epps said team chemistry has improved to be the best that she has seen since she’s been on the team.
“[In] previous seasons, there were more cliques,” Epps said. “Now, we all know each other, and we’re best friends on and off the field. We’re all close, and [we] know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The team will begin tournaments against Van Alstyne High School Feb. 20. District play will begin March 5 against Coppell.
“[We] want to look at the big picture,” Herndon said. “[We] want to win district and go to state, but really just looking at the opponent in front of you, the game that you have and taking it one pitch at a time. When the team is acting as a team, everyone is supporting everyone and knows their role — that’s when you get the best out of them.”
