New coach aims to take Lady Wildcats further

Coming off a first-round exit in the 2017 state tournament, the Hector Wildcats softball team is looking to reach greater heights this year under new head coach Trevor Cooper. “[We want to] get back to the state tournament and advance further than we did last year, he said. “We have to take it one game at a time and try to get better each day, whether we are practicing or playing a game.” The Wildcats had a 17-7 record in 2017 and came in second in the 2A-4 Conference with a 5-1 conference record. They were also district champions. They had a 5-3 record at home and a 5-2 record on the road. Cooper said seniors Baylee Riley and Paige Lee are the team’s best hitters as far as batting average goes. He also added that Baylee Riley, Lee and junior Evelyn Riley are the best power hitters. Junior Alyssa Gilliand and senior Hayley Wilkinson are the team’s best pitchers. Cooper said the games against Quitman and Pangburn are ones to watch this year. The coach said he believes the Wildcats have a good team this year. “We have a great group of seniors, and the majority of them played on the state runner-up team just a few years ago,” he said. Cooper also talked about the experience his players have. “They know the expectations and the level you have to be at in order to make it there,” he said. “They come to practice every day, not only to just be there but to get better. They know that you have to take it one day at a time and one game at a time and cannot look forward to any one.”