Softball season is approaching in February for 2014 and for many fans, it means spring is close.
Rene Gomez
Softball season is approaching in February for 2014 and for many fans, it means spring is close.
The Lady T-Birds softball team is led by Coach Wayne Hill and he is entering his third season as the skipper of the dugout.
Hill’s coaching experience spans over 20 years and he has been a successful hitting instructor in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.
Hill’s overall record as the Mesa coach is 48-70 and has a conference record of 35-61 in two seasons.
Last season was successful as the team finished second place in regional play, and is coming off of a playoff appearance as well.
Last season the Lady T-Birds’ offense ranked fourth in the conference in batting average, third in total hits, third in extra base hits, and sixth in stolen bases and on base percentage.
The pitching last season ranked second in the conference in walks allowed, and second in strikeouts.
Plus, the defense was tied for second in the conference in fielding percentage, and tied for fourth in errors committed.
2014 has plenty of returning players mixed in with some incoming freshman talent, and Hill mentioned his view on the positives from the 2013 fall exhibition games.
“After we finished our fall season, I really like our team defensively,” Hill said, “We have some good strong leaders coming back,” Hill said.
Among the returning players from 2013, the player to watch out for in all facets of the game is sophomore left fielder Kyleigh Hanson.
Hanson really showed some great skill with the bat last season with a .457 average, .508 on-base percentage, a .520 slugging percentage, and only nine strikeouts in 175 at-bats.
“She led in our hitting, good speed in the outfield, good arm in the outfield, and having her back this year is an added dimension,” Hill said.
Hanson also has speed on the base paths and was able to pile up 28 stolen bases.
The Lady T-Birds also will have returning talent coming from sophomores Gina Alvarado at third base, Jessica Jarvis in right field, and pitcher Kelley Pugh. Pugh is coming back from a shoulder injury so her innings will be limited, but Hill is confident she will still be effective.
“If we get three innings out of her (Pugh) that’s going to be great,” Hill said, “She has one of the best curveballs.”
The incoming talent should be another exciting part of the team.
Freshmen Kendra Whelan at shortstop and Mariah Gonzalez at second base will be a working relationship to watch closely because often those positions work together in double play situations.
“She (Gonzalez) is a very good shortstop so you’re looking at two quality shortstop players,” Hill said, “That allows us to take a good quality player, put her at second base, and make us very solid up the middle.”
Not only was Coach Hill pleased to mention the talent of the team he has this season but how well they have responded to each other as people.
“This team has gelled well together and they feel like a family,” Hill said, “I think if you create a family atmosphere, that’s the first key to success to any team.”
The Lady T-Birds home opener is against the Phoenix College Bears on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.
