Lady Mustangs look to keep dream alive
COMMERCE, Texas— Winning streaks will be put on the line when Hughes Springs battles Lone Oak in a best-of-3 softball series with Game 1 today.
Hughe s Springs' team looks to take a step closer to the Class 3A state tournament as they take on Lone Oak in the regional semifinals with Game 1 today at 6 p.m. at Texas A&M-Commerce University.
Game 2 is back at Texas A&MCommerce at 6 p.m. Friday and a third game, if needed, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Lady Mustangs are 30-2 and are on a 12-game win streak, while the Lady Buffaloes are 30-5 and are riding a 16-game win streak. Lone Oak is 22-1 in its last 23 games.
“I stress to the players that each round is going to get harder,” Lady Mustang head coach Tisha Thompson said. “We are going to see better teams
and that means that we have to be better every single round. We had a couple of miscues against Prairiland, but they showed perseverance, worked hard, and never stopped fighting; it worked out good for them. We had some miscues on some bunts and had a couple of errors. We allowed some runs that were unearned.”
Hughes Springs defeated Prairiland, 7-3, in the regional quarterfinals, beat New Diana 2 games to none in the area round, and run-ruled Winnsboro 10-0 in bi-district play.
Zoe Lanier and Marisol Kennedy will team up in the circle, Kennedi Northam plays catcher, Shelbie Fickling is the first baseman, Haylee Wilson is at second, Abbye McKinney or Pearl Perry will play third andKensley Echols is at shortstop for the Mustangs. The outfield consists of Charlie Reeves in left, Peyton Blythe at center, and Katelyn Roth in right.
“We are going to keep prepping them, and we have to remember to keep our composure and play our game,” Thompson said. “I am expecting a pitcher's game from Lone Oak. They will rely on their pitcher to strike us out nine-plus times. I think that if we can get to the pitcher early, we can bust the game wide open.
“I think the team is excited, confident, and nervous. We're talking about young girls here and two games away from going to state. It's a book of emotions. We just keep working them hard, and we never let up on them. We tell them never to underestimate any opponent.”
The Mustangs are the District 14-3A champions, and the Buffaloes are the champions from District 10-3A.