Mustangs putting early losses in past
With district play in full swing, Friendswood focuses on task at hand
The win-loss record does not look good, but if Friendswood softball coach Christa Williams-Yates has herway, the overall winning percentage will not mean much by the end of the season.
A rigorous non-district schedule has the Lady Mustangs (6-11-1) wishing for a few more victories. While the squad still tries to adjust to life in Class 6A, Williams-Yates felt it was necessary to challenge her team before 24-6A competition began.
It paid off with a win in the district opener. After losing game against powerful Brazoswood and Clear Springs, Friendswood is hoping to get on a roll. That will be difficult because in addition to moving up to the state’s highest classification, the Lady Mustangs got placed in one of the Houston area’s toughest districts.
“(The non-district schedule) helped my team realize it can compete,” Williams-Yates said. “I feel like it helped us get better prepared. We have seen some really good pitching and have played some really good defenses.”
Though the record all by itself suggests otherwise, Williams-Yates said it has been easy to see how this year’s team has improved from last year. The Lady Mustangs made lots of mistakes a year ago, which led to lopsided losses.
They are making fewer mistakes this year and playing closer games. That makes it easier to point out one or two things that cost them agame.
“If we can limit those costly mistakes then this team is really going to make a surge,” she said.
Friendswood has had some tough luck, too. The players are hitting it well but often right at defenders. If that doesn’t happen, the defense is making a great play.
With one victory in their first three district games, the Lady Mustangs cannot afford to lose many more in a row if they’re going to qualify for the playoffs. They may not be a district championship contender at this point, but getting to the postseason would be a big deal, Williams-Yates said.
She added that she had similar teams when she coached at Manvel. Those teams overcame some ear- ly struggled and got to the playoffs. Doing that in 246Ais a taller task.
Though it was a loss, Friendswood got something important out of its game against Brazoswood onMarch7. The LadyMus- tangs took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning before giving up single runs in the final two frames en route to a 2-1 loss.
It was a sign that the just might have what it takes to compete against the best teams in the region.
“If I can get this team to get the mentality right I think we can do some good things,” Williams-Yates said. “If we get to the playoffs all bets are off. As long as my team is peak- ing at the right time andwe make the playoffs then I’m happy.”