Coming Out Swinging

Keller is one program already overflowing with name recognition. The Lady Indians have won two 5A state titles in the past five years (2003 and 2005) and lost in the title game to Garland in 2006. Compiling a 21-6-1 record and making their regular trip to the playoffs in 2007, Keller advanced to the regional quarterfinal round before getting knocked off by a Marcus team that rolled to the state tournament. Accomplishing what they did last year with a relatively young team and with several hitters slumping to hit only in the .100s, the Lady Indians have lofty expectations once again in 2008. "I'm excited about this year," Keller coach Moe Fritz said. "We had three or four freshmen starters and I think we should do even better this year. That's our goal, to head to Austin and win that title again." With those freshmen now sophomores, they will be joined by four of five talented freshmen this year, but the Lady Indians' biggest returning player is senior pitcher Sydney Williard. She'll be joined on the pitching staff by junior Teri Lyles, a Houston move-in that is also a good-hitting second baseman, as well as an improved sophomore pitcher in Katrina Williamson. All three will throw to sophomore returning catcher/third baseman Mallory Wyatt (.254, 12 RBI) and catcher/center fielder Alyssa Hirsch (.208). Fritz said playing in District 5-5A should get her team ready for the playoffs, but most challenging is the Tournament of Champions event in Arizona that her team will participate in once again. Playing high-caliber teams from California, Arizona and Nevada, as well as a couple from Texas, the tournament helps Keller play the rest of its schedule at a higher level. "The teams are the top of the top and whoever wins that tournament is usually ranked No. 1 in the nation," she said. Aledo (4A) The Lady Bearcats are seeking that elusive trip to the Class 4A state tournament after finishing their 33-7 season last year with a three-game loss to state runner-up Denton Ryan in the Region I final. It was the second year Aledo came just short of state, losing to Cleburne in the regional final in 2006. However, with 11 varsity lettermen returning, including seven seniors and three three-year starters, Aledo coach Kevin Cook said he feels confident that his team can get over the hump in 2008. "Last year was a heartbreaker that we didn't achieve our goal of going to state," Cook said. "That's kind of been a focal point for the team and the girls have been working real hard...preparing to go as far as we can this season. "I try to tell them every year that we've got the expectations and good enough players to go to the state tournament," he said. "That's our goal every year anyway. That's well within reach." The Lady Bearcats lost A.J. Watlington, who provided power with homeruns and RBIs last season, but Aledo has plenty of talent to help pick up the slack. The team will rely heavily on the pitching of Whitney Canion and effort of shortstop Lyndi Samuelson, but will also benefit from first-team all-district selections Haylee Bell (third base) and Katie Denny (right field). Easton Cook, a sophomore catcher that was the team leader in RBIs last year, is also expected to contribute. Cook said his team will compete in quality tournaments at Georgetown and Burleson, as well as the Spring Break Classic, in order to prepare for a tough district that includes the likes of Joshua and Cleburne. "We're going to have to get better than the year before, because they've likely gotten better as well," Cook said. Mansfield (5A) A talented Lady Tigers team that went 26-6-2 in 2007 saw their postseason hopes end early with a loss to Eastwood in the second round. However, with plenty of firepower in the arsenal once again, Mansfield could have an opportunity to make amends this year. The Lady Tigers lost seven seniors from last year's team, but return eight lettermen, including six seniors. Mansfield will look to leadership from shortstop Audrey Phillips, who provides speed and great hitting, but will also depend on the offensive efforts of senior outfielder/second baseman Danielle Holladay (.317). Returning pitching will also be a strength, as the Lady Tigers will rely on the strong arms of seniors Morgan Rodgers and Molly Ashcraft. Rogers led the team in victories (13-4) and boasted an ERA of 1.17 with 107 strikeouts and only seven walks in 102 innings. Ashcraft was nearly as spectacular, with an unbeaten record (11-0), 63 strikeouts and 18 walks in 69 innings. Joshua (4A) Another team that was knocked out by Denton Ryan, Joshua lost just one starter to graduation and one that moved away. The rest of the Lady Owls return with hopes of improving on the 27-11 season that ended in the area round last year. "Last year, I still had a young team," Joshua coach Traci Brooks said. "The majority of my team were sophomores. I expect even more from them this year." The Lady Owls' top two offensive stars are junior shortstop Candice Gauntt and senior outfielder Ashley Clifton. But strong defensive play from Bailey Sanders (third base and shortstop), good hitting and speed from leadoff hitter Jordan Palmer (right field) and impressive skill from last year's lone freshman Taylor Dear (second base), will make for good hitting and fielding, Brooks said. "Our strength is our speed," she said. "I have three slappers, three girls that can steal a base at any time, and an outfield that covers a lot of ground. We also have two pitchers, which really helps." Those two pitchers are Heather Dennie and Kaycee Wilson, who together should make it difficult for opposing batters to get comfortable. "They offer different pitches for the hitters to look at," Brooks said. One highlight for the team is the Lady Owls' renovated ball field, planned for completion near the start of the season. Named Glen Holley Park after Brooks' father who passed away, Brooks said it would be an honor to play there. "It's comparable to the fields at Saginaw and Aledo, one of the nicest in the area," she said. "Compared to the complex we played in before, it's unbelievable." Kennedale (3A) Although the Lady Wildcats posted a 14-13 record in 2007, most of their early losses came against 4A and 5A teams in a challenging schedule set up by Kennedale coach Amie Kirkpatrick. And after an area-round playoff loss to Celina, a team that reached the 3A Region II finals, the Lady Wildcats return seven starters after having lost only two from last year. They also return what was a very strong freshman class in 2007. "Last year was a big growing year as a group for the girls," Kirkpatrick said. "We were very young. It was tough as far as growing pains and that sort of thing. "They'll be young again, but they are a seasoned team at the same time," she said. "The girls won the first round handily (last year) and did a great job. It was kind of a stepping stone for this year." Kennedale will be led by outfielder Morgan Spearman, who had a phenomenal freshman season last year. The team will also benefit from the skill of sophomore pitcher Denea Dixon, sophomore catcher Allie Esquviel and junior utility player Rachel Haferkamp, who is familiar playing in several positions. The mix of talented freshmen with an established, quality lineup that can execute in various phases of the game should make the Lady Wildcats dangerous, Kirkpatrick said. "I've got a true power hitter in one of my freshman," she said. "We look to use that as well as slap, drag and bring runners in. Our hitters are very versatile." Other Teams to Watch ... Cleburne (4A) A team that competed in the state tournament two years ago and reached the quarterfinals last year, the Lady Jackets lost just three seniors from their 2007 roster. The team returns nine lettermen, including six seniors, to the field this spring. Most notable is senior Katie Cowen, one of the top pitchers in the area. FW Southwest (4A) Although the Lady Raiders lost two key seniors from its area-round team in outfielder Stephanie Knote and shortstop Missy Harris, the team returns one of the best offensive catchers in the area in senior Erika Van Winkle. They also bring back third baseman Jen Carter (.405, 29 RBI) and pitcher Kayla Castillo (22-2, 1.18 ERA, 164 strikeouts, .395 BA, 22 RBI), both juniors. Grapevine (5A) Another team that received a boost from some of its younger players, the Lady Mustangs (19-12-1 in 2007) replace some senior mainstays with some scrappy sophomores that showed promise as freshmen. Among those are shortstop Alyssa Lemos (.354, 21 RBI), Lauren Leet (.451) and pitcher McKenna Russell (9-5, 1.86 ERA, 65 strikeouts and 9 walks in 83 IP). Mansfield Summit (5A) After posting a 16-12 record and a short playoff appearance last year, the Lady Jaguars return eight lettermen, including senior third baseman/pitcher Ashley Mann (.457, 19 RBI, 12 doubles, 9-9 pitching) and sophomore catcher/center fielder Kayla Gritt (.405, 16 RBI). Burleson (5A) Although they lost two pillars of the program in pitcher Sarah Odom and centerfielder Punky Kirkland, don't count out the team that went 27-4-1 and reached the Region I quarterfinals in 2007.