Searcy softball eyeing deeper run in state tournament
The No. 1 goal for the Searcy Lady Lions softball team is to win all of their 6A games in nonconference play. The Lady Lions played Jonesboro on March 1 and will play Benton at home on April 19, and at Marion on April 26. “In order to seed the 6A Conference Tournament, we have a vote, if we beat Marion, Jonesboro and Benton,” head coach Matt Long said. “You can’t seed those three teams above us.” Seeding is important for Searcy because one of the Lady Lions’ other goals is to make it further in the state tournament than in 2017. “We are fighting ourselves, and we are fighting other teams,” Long said. “We are trying to beat ourselves when we don’t have an opponent. “It has been more competitive in practice We are looking to do big things.” Searcy finished 14-14 last year before losing to Greenwood in the quarterfinals. The Lady Lions lost 3-2 after giving up a 2-0 lead. Searcy had two errors in that game, while Greenwood — who finished as state runner-up — played error-free. “I thought we were in a good position to win,” Long said. “It was just one or two things that got us. “That’s what we have been preparing for all offseason. Our pitcher can keep us in the ballgame, but we are trying to improve on just finding that one run.” Searcy lost six games last year by one run. “So that has been our focus this offseason, finishing a game and trying to find a way to win,” Long said. “It’s going to be an exciting year for Searcy.” At practices, Searcy has been simulating various situations in which the team is trying to get a run. “We aren’t trying to get it all at once,” Long said. “We are not trying to win the game in the first inning. “A lot of our scrimmages are putting us in the situations we were in last year.” He said his players sat down and talked about their goals for this season. “They are really focused, as far as setting goals,” Long said. “We want to make it further in the state tournament than we did last year. “If we get further, we will re-evaluate and see if we can get another game. Really, they are just trying to get to another game. That’s what it is all about in the postseason.” Returning this year for Searcy is junior Maegan Pistokache, who has already committed to Harding University. Last year, she struck out 269 batters in 177 innings with 29 walks and a 1.38 ERA.
“She is determined to strike out just about every batter she faces,” Long said, “but she also knows when to pitch to get a ground ball in play and help her team out.” Long said she has good velocity and has good movement in all directions. “She has three different speeds,” he said. “We have been working on her change-up this year. Our pitching coach has done a great job and helped her out with her change-up. “She is going to be hard to hit.” Long said that with the introduction of her change-up, Pistokache will be even more dangerous in the circle. “I thought that was one thing we could have incorporated more last year,” he said. “If she can throw the fastball and her changeup consistently, she can get the batters off balance.” Long said that in order to win those onerun ballgames, it will also be important for the Lady Lions to not “kill ourselves on the bases.” “Our pitcher keeps the game close, and if we can muster up some runs, then we will have a chance,” Long said. “Mental errors will kill you on bases, so we need to get that extra base. “It is something I have harped on this year. They are probably tired of me saying it.” Shortstop Sara Grace Weaver and outfielder Karsen Dunavan are seniors who have played for Searcy since they were freshmen. “They are two captains who push the girls around them to be better,” Long said. “When things are going bad, they can get on the same page and help turn it around.” Weaver had a .891 fielding percentage with just six errors last year. “She has good range,” Long said. “If she can’t get to it, she’s diving for it. “She knows what to expect, and she has a pretty strong arm. She can make those throws when she gets out of position.” Dunavan batted .308 last year with 15 RBIs, 1 home run and an on-base percentage of .396. “Junior Lauren Joyner’s bat has really improved, and she is really strong,” Long said. “She received our batting-average award last year.” Sophomore Jessica Rose started as a freshman last year. “She is extremely athletic,” Long said. “She is in basketball right now but was our second lead-off last season at the No. 9 spot. “She just got better the entire year. She is really going to help us out in the outfield.” Lacey Brooks, a move-in from Harding Academy, will help in the circle, as well as freshman Chloe Martinez. Martinez will mostly pitch for the junior varsity team, but Long said the team may use her during midseason tournaments. “I feel pretty good about our lineup this year,” Long said. “They are going to get out there and play.”