Vela closes out stellar career
Jav Vela went out on top. The long-time Klein Oak softball coach led the Panthers to a District 15-6A co-title and playoff return after a two-year absence.
Now he’s moving on after more than two decades with the program.
“I’ve been here for 21 years, since January of ’94, and they’ve got a good ballclub coming back, so it is a little difficult, but these are real good kids, so they’ll adjust and keep going,” Vela said.
Klein Oak went 13-2 in district to clinch its postseason return.
“We had missed the playoffs two years running for the first time in however long we’ve been here, so it was important for us to get back in and get that attitude back,” Vela said.
The Panthers tied Spring atop 15-6A, then won a tiebreaker 5-4 for the No. 1 playoff seed.
“We were a little bit more consistent with our pitching and our defense, and then we’ve had a bunch of youngsters out there, so they were a year older and able to hit the ball better,” Vela said.
They finished the season 21-5 overall.
Key returners include juniors catcher Rebecca Snow, pitcher Taylor Makowsky and first baseman Kaitlynn Copher, sophomores shortstop Sarah Briers and infielder Darbey Greenan, and freshman outfielder Alexandra Diaz.
“They should have a good, quality ballclub next year,” Vela said.