By Charles Dee.
In 22 years of UIL softball, only once has a team repeated as 4A state champs – a feat the Hays High softball team hopes to change.
After winning their second straight 27-4A crown, the Lady Rebels’ focus lies on getting back to the state tournament in Austin. It begins against 28-4A opponent San Antonio Jefferson in the bi-district round. Hays travels to play Jefferson at San Antonio Burbank High School for a one-game playoff on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
While hopes are high to repeat, remaining grounded is the primary objective.
“We keep telling [our kids] to take it one week and one series at a time,” Hays head coach Aaron Fuller said.
The team has a core group of leaders, many of whom returned from the 2013 state title team. Leading the cause is senior pitcher Sarah Leal, who has accumulated 140 strikeouts in 118 innings this season.
Fuller said Leal’s experience strengthened her production in the circle. Helping her is a defense Fuller believes is slightly stronger than last year’s team.
“Defensively, we are not giving up as many runs,” Fuller said. “Our offense doesn’t have to score as much to help us win games. I feel like our whole lineup is capable of swinging the bat and producing runs in any given inning.”
Offensively, Hays hasn’t skipped much of a beat from last season – an issue Fuller expected to start the year.
Through 25 games, Hays’ offense amassed 18 total home runs; two more than last year’s team hit through 42 games. While RBIs are slightly down – 360 in 2013, 180 so far in 2014 – obtaining consistent, clutch hits remains the crux of the girls’ game plan.
Seniors Addie Vayas, Maddy Shannon and junior Haliegh Madden lead the offense. They are backed up by a myriad of younger players, including the duo of Angelica and Lulu Arroyo – Angelica hit .400 thus far in the 2014 season.
“When you have lineup produce, get on base and provide offense, that’s a good thing,” Fuller said. “We don’t have those innings where we string a couple of zeros together.
Providing success was the improvement across 27-4A. It helped prepare the team for its postseason run, according to Fuller.
Leadership also plays a vital role, particularly with the seniors, who Fuller said are integral to another playoff run.
Playing above their opponents, not looking past them, is also is a critical factor.
“Some teams play down to their competition level. That’s one thing we stressed not to do,” he said. “We have to play at a high level every game. We have to focus on the team in front of us.”
As the opportunity unfolds, Fuller and Lady Rebels seek to match what the 2002-2003 Crowley teams accomplished – repeat state titles.
“I think our kids are ready and focused to keep playing hard each game,” Fuller said. “We will play [the]best we can and we’ll see what happens.”
