The Houston High School softball team’s senior class has already cemented its legacy with the program’s first-ever district championship. But the group wants more.
“These seniors have made their mark on the program, but they’d like to build on that,” HHS coach Brent Hall said. “The expectation is to go further than last year.”
The Lady Tigers’ six seniors form the core of the reigning district championship team. Houston will defend its title without two key pieces –– Kayla Kelley, who graduated, and Olivia Woosley, who tore the ACLs in both her knees –– but with four important additions. Senior Belle Knarr returns after missing all of last season with injuries from an automobile accident and three freshmen are expected to contribute to the veteran team.
The Lady Tigers return seven of their nine starters from a historical 2012 unit that finished with the program’s first winning record in fall play and matched the team mark with 11 wins despite losing two tournaments and a regular-season game to inclement weather.
“I think we have enough to win our district again,” Hall said. “And our team has never won the conference. That’s a goal for this group.”
Hall expects the Lady Tigers to be strong offensively and defensively. The uncertainty resides on the pitching mound.
The absence of Kelley, who logged every inning of the 2012 season, leaves a trio of players who have not thrown a pitch in high school. Seniors Emily Harrison and Dani Sears, who started in the corner outfield positions last year, and freshman Tori McCloud are all candidates to pitch for the Lady Tigers.
Hall said he is still determining who will take the mound for the Aug. 29 season opener against Stoutland.
“I hope one stands out, so we can get our lineup set. But we do have options,” Hall said. “I’ve told them all, ‘If they are hitting you or you’re not throwing strikes, we have other viable options.’”
Hall said the Tigers should be strong up the middle defensively. Knarr returns behind the plate, Franklin will start for the fourth year at shortstop, Walker is back at second base and Dodson will again play center field.
Swindell (first) and Preheim (third) also return as starters. Freshman Tommi Franklin could see time at third as well.
Freshman Stephanie Crewse will back up Knarr behind the plate. Hall said he will ease her into action with courtesy runners and time off during second games of tournaments.
“Even if it’s Belle at 75 percent, that’s better than a lot of players in this area,” Hall said.
Offensively, Taylor Franklin led HHS in batting average (.635), home runs (four), RBIs (25) and stolen bases (21) last season. She and Swindell, who batted .611, will bat third and clean-up, respectively. Walker returns at the top of the order and Knarr will hit second for Woosley, who last year was a first team all-conference selection.
A bulk of the offense is back that averaged 8.4 runs per game last season and reached double digits eight times.
“I think we can beat teams by throwing strikes and playing defense,” Hall said. “But I also think we can beat teams by out-slugging them at times.
“I think we can do whatever we need to do on a given day.”