Falcons’ state title defense so far, so good
The Huffman Hargrave softball team is out to defend its Class 4A state title – the school’s first in any sport. So far, so good. The Falcons were 12-3 overall and 3-1 in District 23-4A going into spring break.
“We always set our expectations high and work toward doing the best we can do,” coach LaTonya Dorsey said. “And coming back, with the majority of the team returning, and only losing the four seniors we had at the end, our outlook was promising going into the season, and it still is.”
The four graduates all are playing college softball.
Catcher Loren Dempsey is at the Colorado School of Mines, right fielder Demi Janak is at Houston Baptist, pitcher Savanna Cates is at East Texas Baptist and P Holly Soniat’s at Galveston Col- lege.
But the Falcons found capable replacements for all of them.
Senior Dakota Hoech is the new catcher. She’s also their high on-base percentage cleanuphitter.
“She was the bullpen catcher for us for a couple years, getting a little bit of game action here and there, and coming out of Loren’s shadow she has really improved and pro- gressed,” Dorsey said.
“She’s doing a good job for us defensively and offensively.”
Senior Linsey Tomlinson, a designated player and baserunner last year after transferring to Hargrave, is the new right fielder.
And with MeganUn roe back, the Falcons are just fine in the circle.
The senior was the state championship gameMVP last year, with six innings of shutout ball in relief against Needville.
“Megan has always been the same caliber pitcher she is now,” Dorsey said.
“She has always been somebody we can rely on. She’s going to get out there and do the job, she’s going to make adjustments whenever she needs to, and she’s always going to put her team first.”
Senior first baseman Shay Watson and senior third baseman Amber Fillbrandt also are pitching this season.
Senior outfielders Madi O’Neal, the leadoff, and Maggie McCloskey lead the offense.
“Any time something needs to happen, with a game-changingbunt or an off-the-wall steal, or something like that, those two are the ones to turn to,” Dorsey said.
Cooper softball wins
The John Cooper School softball team beat Cypress Christian 7-2 last week on the road.
Emily Coon paced the win offensively, smashing a home run in the third inning and a double in the fourth.
Pitcher Kathryn Early pickedupthe win.
She gave up one hit and no earned runs, walking five and fanning eight in seveninnings.
“Although Cypress Christian jumped out to an early 1-0leadinthe bottom of the first, the Dragons never trailed after scoring four runs in the third on a two-run home run by Emily Coon and a two-run single by Nikki Juszczak,” coach Nicole Hedden said in a release. Jason McDaniel is a freelance writer who can be reached jasonrmcdaniel@ outlook.com.