Lady Eagles coach optimistic about tenderfoot team

Although graduating seven starters might put some coaches in a slump, Mayflower Lady Eagles coach Steve Herron said he expects his greenhorn team to develop quickly as they head toward conference season and beyond. “I’m really looking forward to the season because I’ve got a good young group, and I think we’re going to be very competitive,” he said. Last year, the Lady Eagles ended the season 16-7 overall record in a blended 3A/4A Conference, although they returned to the 3A-5 for the district tournament. This year, they will compete in the blended conference again. “We hope to do well in this blended conference,” Herron said, “and … we hope to make it to the region and possibly even on to the state tournament.” Only two starters will return to the team this year: senior shortstop Reagan Brinks and sophomore Lakyn Phillips on third base. Herron said both players are adept at hitting and fielding the ball. He named Brinks as the team’s fastest player and best arm. “She shows good leadership,” he said. He added that Phillips’ versatility makes her an indispensable asset to the team. “She can play anywhere,” he said. “She’s just a really good softball player. She’s a good hitter [and] a very, very good fielder. She’s just solid.”

Herron, who has coached at Mayflower for 24 years, said his experience helps him gauge the team, which he expects to excel. “When you’ve got a mixture like I’ve got this year with a bunch of new kids — new to me — it takes a little while to figure it out, but I think we’re going to be extremely competitive with this group,” he said. The coach named a few new starters who are shaping up to be key players on the team. From her post in center field, senior Annie Brown will assist Brinks and Phillips in fielding the ball. Herron said he expects junior Sarah Todd to be the team’s power slugger, as well as an adept pitcher. Freshman Bailey Francis, who spent the offseason playing basketball, is also a promising pitcher, he added. The coach said the team’s positive attitude gives him hope for the upcoming season. “They never complain about it being cold or wet, and we’re outside every day, regardless of the weather,” he said. “They’re all just really hard workers.” He added that Rose Bud, Glen Rose and Harmony Grove will be the teams to beat if the Lady Eagles hope to make it to the state tournament. All three schools defeated Mayflower during the district tournament last year. “We’re going to have to compete well against them,” he said, adding that he also expects the preconference games to challenge the Lady Eagles. “In the first week or two, we’re going to know what we’re made of because we’re playing the best teams in the state, … and that doesn’t do anything but make you better.”