Castillo, Lady Dragons off to good start
Before the season began, Junction City softball coach Jay Burroughs talked about his team's potential. He also listed several players the Lady Dragons couldn't afford to lose to injury.
Sophomore pitcher Karla Castillo topped the list. After one abbreviated week of softball, it's obvious why.
The Lady Dragons are 2-0 after wins over Smackover (11-1) and Crossett (5-2).
Castillo went the distance in both games. Although she wasn't overpowering, she issued just two walks in each game and made the pitches she had to make.
“Karla Castillo, that's 14 innings in two days,” said Burroughs after Tuesday's win. “It was fixing to be more if we didn't stop it right there. But, anyway, she's done great.”
Castillo, who shared pitching duties with Tori McLelland last year, will shoulder the load in the circle this season. So far, she has yielded two earned runs on 10 hits in 12 innings with nine strikeouts.
“I've learned to take my time more and breathe better while I'm in the circle,” she said. “I'm more confident with all the pitches I throw and have been working on them all year.”
Against Crossett, Castillo threw 61 strikes in 96 pitches with 48 strikes in 74 pitches against Smackover.
Throwing strikes, putting the ball in play and allowing her defense to work behind her has been the key and will be all season. The Lady Dragons committed just two errors against the Lady Eagles and had one miscue against the Lady Bucks.
“My defense has stepped up a whole lot from last year and I can always count on them,” Castillo said. “Jess Thurmon has stepped up and has made plays for us at short.”