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BASES LOADED: Benavides commands loaded roster in No. 2 Friendswood
No. 2 -- Friendswood Mustangs
2023: 28-6-2 (District 18-5A Champions/Regional Quarterfinalist)
Following yet another district title, Friendswood was knocked out of the playoffs sooner than expected last season, exiting the bracket in the third round courtesy of Barbers Hill.
Rest assured, the Mustangs will still be one of the strongest clubs in the state.
The likes of district Utility MVP Kyle Lockhart, Offensive MVP Peyton Adams, and first-teamers Dane Perry (Texas Tech-commit) and Dawson Hinson will headline Friendswood’s formidable roster, as coach Robert Benavides and company intend to make a statement in 2024.
Additionally, Nebraska-signee Blake Encarnacion will anchor a pitching staff of Lockhart and Houston Rhodes.
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PLAY BALL: Hunter takes over No. 4 Friendswood's power program
No. 4 Friendswood Mustangs
Jarrod Hunter takes over the Friendswood softball program in 2024 and the stable is full of talent.
Seven starters return for a Mustangs team, which went 25-11 a year ago and reached the Regional Quarterfinals.
Texas Tech-commit Charleigh Esparaza is coming off a first-team, all-state, first-team, all-district-type season, while fellow Red Raider-commit Chloe Aldrich was named second-team, all-district. Baileigh Burtis (Rutgers), Bella Halata (LSU-Eunice) and Morgan Armstrong (Oklahoma Wesleyan) are also back.
Other notable players of note include Naveah Cason (first-team, all-district), Lola Widner (second-team, all-district), Lenox Laviolette (honorable mention), Kira Sarabia (second-team, all-district), Maddie Green and Ryland Pesak.
Keys to success for Hunter’s crew include staying focused on the task at hand, game by game, being smart, play smart, limited strikeouts and limited mental mistakes.