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Top sports stories of the year: No. 3
Softball: Lady Cougars roar out to 10-1 start, reach playoffs
BY JUSTIN THOMAS, jthomas@acnpapers.com
While The Colony's softball team isn't exactly a veteran group, consisting primarily of sophomores and juniors, the Lady Cougars return a majority of their roster from last year's squad, which qualified for the playoffs.
Offense has been the name of the game for The Colony, which scored 43 runs while allowing just nine in its six wins in Little Elm. The Lady Cougars have also clubbed six homers after hitting just two last year and are well ahead of the pace of last season's program-record in steals, with 27 swipes during the weekend.
"We have a lot of power," said Deana Coleman, The Colony coach. "The girls are really hitting the ball. But we also have a ton of speed, so we can do some different things."
On Monday, The Colony jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Wichita Falls chipped away to get within one in the final inning.
"They got a few here and there, but we felt pretty comfortable most of the way," Coleman said. "We made one mistake on defense that cost us a few runs and made it a little closer than it probably should have been."
Leading the charge offensively has been a group of talented hitters, including center fielder Sarah Wiseman, shortstop Tori Hawk, right fielder Brooklin Olson, left fielder Jocelyn Ward, third baseman Victoria Rendon, designated player Jennifer Haynie, catcher Samantha Robinson and second baseman Shelby Featherstone.
Wiseman has been "hitting awesome" while performing well patrolling centerfield, while Hawk has already powered three homers. Ward and Rendon, meanwhile, have been "phenomenal" in the third and fourth spots in the order, respectively. Haynie and Robinson also went deep during non-district play. Robinson played two seasons for The Colony before moving to Louisiana and now returning for her senior season.
"She knows everyone because she was here from kindergarten through 10th grade," Coleman said. "She, and everyone, has been hitting well."
In the circle, The Colony leans on Lindsay Jacobs and Allysa Ledesma.
"Lindsay has been a great lefty pitcher for us," Coleman said. "But she's really surprised us with her bat as a freshman. And Allysa has done a good job, too."
Both Jacobs and Ledesma rotate at first base when not on the mound.
Megan O'Mary and Rachel Morgan also contribute for the Lady Cougars.
"When we go to the bench, we don't have much of a drop at all," Coleman said.
While the team has gotten out to a fast start, there are still areas to improve.
"We need to work on our short game," Coleman said. "We can get better with our bunting and slapping. There is always room to improve at the plate."
Coleman and the Lady Cougars are hopeful to qualify for the postseason and make a deep run.
"We have a lot of returning experience and that's why it was such a big deal for us to make the playoffs and get that experience," she said. "Our goal is just to continue to get better in every aspect of the game. We don't care if we win district or get the fourth spot; we just want one. It doesn't really matter. Look at boys basketball where Denton Ryan finished third and now they are headed to state."
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