By TONY EIERDAM
Looking to go deeper in the playoffs than any previous Mineral Wells softball team, the Lady Rams will open the 2013 campaign at 7 p.m. today at Graham.
The Lady Rams return experience in all of the right places as they return two pitchers, Hope Patterson and Allie Stephens, a three-year letterman in Reagan Patterson at catcher, a first-team, all-state shortstop in junior Bethany Allen and their leading home run hitter, Hope Patterson.
However, Allen, who also starts on the MWHS girls’ basketball team, will not play softball today as she will be playing a playoff basketball game today and will join the softball team at the conclusion of the MWHS ladies’ run in the hoops playoffs.
The Lady Rams also return another power hitter, senior second baseman Chandler Ortiz, who was District 6-3A’s Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2012.
Despite an outlook for a record-breaking season, the Lady Rams have put each game in proper perspective, and according to their coach, will not look ahead to district or the playoffs at this time.
“I have a good blend of experience and youth this season,” Lady Rams head coach David Tarver explained. “Our returning players, however, set the team goals.
“Our major goal is really simple: win the next game. That is the mentality that the girls have chosen to take this year, and I am very excited about that outlook.
“They are not looking down the road. They are looking at working hard today, and looking only as far ahead as who is our next opponent.”
The Lady Rams will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday at Stephenville. The team will play at Vernon (Feb. 19) and at the Brewer Tournament (Feb. 21-23) before their first home game on Feb. 26 against Stephenville.
Local Sports
Contact Tony
Contact sports editor Tony Eierdam
at sports@mineralwellsindex.com.
Related Photos
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Mineral Wells sophomore infielder/pitcher Allie Stephens fields a ground ball in a 2012 game. The Lady Rams open the 2013 season today at Graham. The junior varsity contest will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m. Tony Eierdam
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Softball Lady Rams open season today at Graham
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