Kingwood Park proud of run
Extended campaign comes to an end, but Panthers see bright future
Kingwood Park wasn’t happy to see its season end in the area playoffs, but at least it knows the team that knocked it out is legit.
Santa Fe, which won 1-0, 2-1, faces Ridge Point in the regional finals this week. “We definitely respect them,” KPark coach Sara Koym said. “It was two tough losses for us, two good games. You look back going what could we have done different, but at the same time you have to give them a lot of credit because obviously they were a quality team if they’re still going.”
K-Park has its first playoff streak going. After making the postseason for the first time last year, it returned this season for its first back-to-back appearances.
“Last year we were proud of getting in for the first time, and then we get in again this year, so now it turns into an expectation,” Koym said. “So we’re excited about the future.”
The Panthers finished 20-11-1 overall, improving from fourth in district last year to third in District 215A this season.
“We only lose one senior, so we’ve got eight players coming back next year, and that’s a plus,” Koym said. “We got stronger in the circle (this year). We still have to get stronger offensively, but we’re definitely bringing back experience.”
The lone senior graduating is third baseman Alyssa Hitt, a first-team all-district pick who’s headed to Blinn College.
“We’re going to miss her leadership more than anything,” Koym said. “She was our three-hole hitter, but just the confidence with her out there on defense was huge. She kept us calm, cool and collected.”
The top returners include juniors pitcher Jessie Wood, second baseman Kendall Searcy and center fielder Taylor Gilbert, and sophomore shortstop Nikki Whitehead.
Wood, who hit .430 this season, was named the 215A Offensive Player of the Year.
She excelled in the circle, too, and Koym is looking forward to seeing how much better she can be as a senior.
“She definitely can improve control-wise in the circle, and her changeup came on strong at the end, but they can all always get better,” Koym said.
Gilbert and Whitehead also were first-team alldistrict selections, and Searcy and first baseman Brianna Ables were second-teamers.
“My JV group won district,” Koym said. “They were 17-1 on the year. They lost their first game to Deer Park and then they didn’t lose again after that.”