Cardinals once again among 20-6A elite
Softball team out to extend record-setting run
The Bellaire softball program has proudly carried the Houston ISD banner for the past decade, advancing to the regional semifinals sevenof the past nine seasons with a trip to the Class 6A-Region III championship game two years ago.
While Bellaire head softball coach Brien Tuffly hasn’t taken the Cardinals to the state tourney, he’s built Bellaire into a consistent winner. And this year’s squad appears capable of continuing the tradition.
“It depends on what the players choose,” Tuffly said. “Certainly, we can beat anybody on any given day, but we can lose, too. When we come out focused and ready to play, we are a tough out.”
Bellaire has looked formidable most of the time despite a grueling schedule
The Cardinals went 5-1 at the 71-team Bryan Tournament, with notable victories over Denison, Keller Timber Creek, Rusk, San Marcos and Santa Fe before falling to Deer Park 11-0 in the championship game.
“We ran out of gas against Deer Park. It’s not easy playing five games in three days, but we played well the rest of the tournament,” Tuffly said.
At The Woodlands Tournament, Bellaire knocked off Katy Cinco Ranch and Liberty and were competitive in losses to Tomball Memorial, Brazoswood and The Woodlands.
After being tested frequently, the Cardinals (134) have dominated in District 20-6A, blanking Sam Houston 15-0 last week to improve to a perfect 6-0 in league play.
Bellaire has few weaknesses, especially on the mound. In fact, the Cardinals have a pair of co-No. 1 pitchers in junior Chelsea Baxter and sophomore Jolie Duong.
Baxter is 6-2 with 79 strikeouts in 43 innings. She fanned 16 batters in a seven-inning game against Rusk at the Bryan Tournament. Sophomore Jolie Duong (7-2,54 strikeouts in 40 innings) also has posted gaudy statistics. Duong’s best outing was a 15-strikeout effort against Chavez.
“Chelsea has been effective. She’s a hard thrower and hard to hit,” Tuffly said. “Jolie is more of a finesse pitcher. She doesn’t have the velocity of Chelsea, but she throws strikes.”
When not pitching, Baxter and Duong split time at first base and in left field, respectively.
There’s plenty of talent in the field for the Cardinals.
Senior third baseman/ catcher Julie Duenas and senior shortstop Beth Castillo have signed with Stephen F. Austin University and La mar University.
“They’re both four-year starters,” Tuffly said. “Julie has been a solid 4-hole hitter for us and Beth is the best shortstop in the district.”
Other veterans include senior right fielder/designated hitter Destiny Barclay, junior catcher Courtney Dart, junior second baseman/outfielder Maegan Hollins and junior first baseman/designated hitter Sydney Moore.
Junior Paige Jackson, who sat out last season after transferring from another school, has performed well for the Cardinals at second base.
Other key contributors include sophomore utility players Leslie Alvarado and Isabella Zepeda and three up-and-coming freshmen – utility player Cameron Cooney, center fielder Hanna Fradkin and outfielder Sarah Katzen.
Bellaire generated plenty of offense in its shortened game with Sam Houston, with Jackson delivering a triple and Baxter, Cooney and Duenas adding doubles.
Tuffly likes the make-up of his year’s squad.
“We have a couple of seniors who played in the regional semifinals as freshmen and the regional finals as sophomores. Collectively, they have a lot of experience,” Tuffly said. “Our junior class is outstanding and we have some really talented underclassmen. We’re looking pretty good so far.”
Bellaire will be busy over spring break, with a road trip to Brooksville, Florida, for the Leopard Softball Slam on Friday and Saturday, March18-19. Girls three-peat
The Bellaire girls soccer team has continued its recent dominance, claiming another District 20-6A crown. During their threeyear run as league champs, the Cardinals have posted an impressive 39-1-2 mark in district play.
“It feels good to win another championship,” said Bellaire head girls soccer coach Alan Thompson. “We’ve set some high standards. To win three in a row is a credit to the girls and our coaches. We’ve really raised the level of our program.”
Bellaire went 16-3-1 overall during the regular season and 13-1 in District 20-6A. The Cardinals clinched the title outright with a 2-0 victory over Chavez and Westside’s 2-0 loss to Lamar.
Next up for Bellaire is the Class 6A playoffs. However, the Cardinals have a challenging assignment, facing Katy Taylor in a Class 6A-Region III bidistrict contest.
“Katy Taylor has one of the top programs in the state and we have tremendous respect for them,” Thompson said. “But we have a group that feels like we can compete with anyone and we will not back down.”
Bellaire has relied heavily on the leadership of senior captains Emma Cohn and Elisa Arango. Cohn, a midfielder, led the district with 27 assists, while Arango, a forward, added 14 goals and 10 assists.
However, sophomore midfielder Allie Schachter set the pace with 25 goals and 12 assists. Schachter was No. 1 in the league in both points and goals.
Junior Erin Wick, a central defender, powers a stingy defense.
Bellaire’s other starters included senior Kaitlyn Jong and freshman Rayne McKenzie at forward, sophomore Elidaisy Ortuno at midfielder and junior Brittany Smith and freshmen Alex Couvillion and Tess Stefan on defense.
Senior Eric Rice has been a force at goalkeeper for the Cardinals.