Lady Stangs set for more success in ‘23
Sweetwater over the last two years has 43 wins, the most ever for such a span including seven in the playoffs. And this year’s softball team will start play Tuesday at Merkel expecting to set the bar even higher in 2023.
They have a new coach, Lacy Gregory, but the Lady Mustangs will have a lot of the same players who participated in the two-year success story back for more.
No fewer than eight girls who won all-district honors last year return. They are now a year older and want more than just a bi-district title his year. That includes the top three pitchers — senior Jenika Fuentes and juniors Mikayla Ashley and Rebecca Castillo, along with catcher Kendall Daniel and many others, all who can play more than one spot.
The only players likely to be at one spot are Bethanee Rodriguez, the shortstop and last year’s district Defensive MVP, Laryssa Garcia in centerfield and second baseman Mabry Weaver. Those with at least two positions are Fuentes, who in addition to pitcher will play first base and third base; Daniel at catcher and at third base; Shelby Dent at catcher, plus third base and first base; Hanna Vera at third base and catcher; and Castillo at both pitcher and the outfield.
Castillo, Kaitlin Vera and Marissa Garcia will generally alternate between right and left field.
Lauren Biera as well as Alyssa Aguilar will see most action in the middle infield, and others will get playing time as well, Gregory said, with a few rotating between JV and varsity. Gregory said there is great leadership with three seniors — Garcia, Fuentes and Rodriguez — as the three team captains. They plus juniors Daniel and Dent have been on the varsity at least three years.