K
Sunday
K C
Y
C
Y
M
M
SportsExtra
See pg. 6B
February 20, 2011
Waxahachie Lady Indians 2011 softball preview
Three feet and a plethora of questions By CHAD WILSON
Daily Light Sports Editor
No-hitters are rare in baseball, but on the softball diamond a good pitcher can simply dominate a game and leave the batters with an unfair advantage. In last season’s Class 4A state championship game a Hewitt Midway pitcher pitched a no-hitter to
lead her team to victory. As a result of the pitchers dominating the game the University Interscholastic League decided to move the pitching rubber from 40 feet to 43 feet for the 2011 season and beyond. While three feet does not seem like much, it will reduce the speed on the pitches and the break of the
ball and allow hitters more time to adjust. “I think it is going to be good for the hitters, unless there is just a real dominant pitcher. It will be a hitter’s game now that they have moved it back,” Waxahachie head coach Steve Howell said. “If there is a great pitcher out there, she is going to continue to be great. For normal
everyday pitchers that most teams have it will be a hitter’s game. You will not see a pitcher striking out a ton of people unless there is a Division I pitcher who will play college ball.” Last season the Waxahachie Lady Indians had several no-hitters and freshman pitcher Brooke Goad twice blanked the Waco Lady Lions.
“I told Brooke the other day that she should expect to get hit a little bit because it is an advantage for the hitters unless you have a lot of speed like Tori Banda did last year,” Howell said. “It is a big difference for a pitcher. There are going to be a lot more balls hit in play.” See PITCHING, Page 5B
Seeking a spot in the
Final four By CHAD WILSON
Daily Light Sports Editor
Four teams make the playoffs from all Class 4A districts but the fight for the four spots in District 15-4A is going to be tough this season. Waxahachie finished second in District 16-4A last season behind eventual state champ Hewitt Midway in a district with District 15-4A eight teams. After Mesquite Poteet the bi-annual UIL reWest Mesquite alignment the Lady Indians are in a nineWaxahachie team district that is Corsicana loaded with talented Lancaster teams. Red Oak “Ennis played verForney sus Midlothian in a Terrell close scrimmage so Ennis that tells me that Ennis can play. As far as the rest of our district, Red Oak is going to be solid. Forney, Poteet and Corsicana will be solid and then us,” Waxahachie head coach Steve Howell said. “There are six quality teams but only four will make the playoffs. I think it is going to be tough, a lot like football and basketball. You have got to play good against six teams.” See DISTRICT, Page 5B
Photo illustration by Chad Wilson/The Daily Light
Sophomore Brooke Goad will be the centerpiece of the Waxahachie Lady Indian attack this season as the pitcher and clean-up hitter. She will be surrounded by a strong supporting cast including freshman catcher Marissa Hooper, shortstop Summer Davila, senior center fielder Tiffany Haines and senior first baseman/pitcher Lauren Johnson.
High expectations
Lady Indians are young and loaded with talent “Expectations are high, every year they are. It is Waxahachie Lady Indian softball and we are expected to be good.”
By CHAD WILSON
Daily Light Sports Editor
No matter the sport, when Waxahachie High School athletes put on the green and white there are high expectations. With seven games under their belt the 2011 Waxahachie Lady Indians are ready to live up to high expectations and return to the postseason. “Even though we lost some key players everybody has worked really hard and has gotten a lot better,” senior center fielder Tiffany Haines said. “We also have some very talented new members of our varsity team that are extremely talented and will have a big impact on both our defense and our offense. I think our softball program has one thing that will set us apart from the other teams and that is our speed and our love of the game. Our desire to always give our best and push ‘til the end will be our key to playoffs and possibly a district championship.” In his second year back in Waxahachie, head softball coach Steve Howell does not have the experienced players he had last season but says that no matter the year, the expectations never change. “Expectations are high, every year they are. It is Waxahachie Lady Indian softball and we are expected to be good. Year in and year out my expectations are to remain con-
I N S I D E
Photo by Chad Wilson/The Daily Light
Freshman Ariel Ortiz had four multihit games in her first five games with Waxahachie this season.
Freshmen presence
- Waxahachie head coach Steve Howell said. sistent and play at the highest level you want it and how passionate we can play. If that is good enough you are about what you’re doing,” to get us in the playoffs so be it,” Haines said. “I always strive to do Howell said. “Our first goal is to my best and cheer on my teammake the playoffs and our second mates because I know they do the is to win a district championship. same for me.” After that we will see how far we With the exception of first base, can go. We have a young team and Waxahachie’s entire infield will be something to build on this season underclassmen this season while and next.” the outfield looks to be manned by Haines, Katelyn O’Brien and seniors. Tori Kvapil are the returning varsity Haines is locked into the center seniors that are expected to provide Steve Howell field position and O’Brien is in veteran leadership to a team with left. Kvapil and sophomore Taylor two freshman and five sophomores. Engel are battling for right. “Coming into softball never playing beLauren Johnson was the lone senior starter fore was really intimidating and as a leader I in the infield in the season opener against try to be that senior that the younger players Midlothian as she got the start at first base. look up to and say ‘if she can do it, then so Bree Lawrence and Rebecca Pevehouse can I.’ I always try to tell the younger players join the varsity this season as seniors and that no matter how long you’ve been play- give the team speed off the bench and the ing, whether it’s been 10 years or you’re ability to play several positions. touching a softball for the first time, like I “Speed is by far our biggest strength. I did my freshman year, you can be as great as you want to be. It’s all about how much See TEAM, Page 5B
Oritz, Hooper two of the latest young WHS stars By CHAD WILSON
Daily Light Sports Editor
It worked last year, so why not try it again? The Waxahachie Lady Indians finished second in District 16-4A last season to eventual state-champ Hewitt Midway before claiming the bi-district championship. Two of the key components to the success of the team were the play of freshman Summer Davila at short stop and Brooke Goad. Goad filled in for the injured Tori Banda at pitcher and tossed two no-hitters against See FRESHMEN, Page 4B
Midlothian tourney results
Page 2B
Midlothian tennis banquet
Lady Indians top Ferris 14-0
Page 6B
Eubank softball tournament
Page 6B
Waxahachie JV teams beat Ferris
Midlothian athletes sign
Page 4B
Page 2B
K
K C
Y M
Page 3B
C
Y M