by MOSES LEOS III
On April 19, the Hays Rebel softball team concluded the regular season with a non-district road game against state ranked 5A Smithson Valley. The Rebels put up a determined effort against the defending 2012 4A State Champions, rallying from a two run deficit in the seventh to send the game into extra innings. However, the Rebels eventually fell to the Rangers, falling 6-5 in a 12-inning marathon.
Yet, the reasoning for the non-district tilt was not limited to the simple idea of a win or loss for Hays. Rather, the lessons learned from that evening fulfilled one purpose: To prepare the Rebels for postseason play.
“Smithson Valley was a great test for us,” said head coach Aaron Fuller said in an e-mailed response. “They’re a great team and our girls now know that we can play and compete at that high of a level.”
But, one thing was very clear to Fuller and his team following the loss to Smithson Valley – in order to continue having dreams of reaching the state tournament at Red McCombs Field in Austin, the Rebels must be ready to fight game in, game out. “It’s also humbling because we know if we don’t come out focused and play our best then we can be beat,” Fuller said.
The effort begins Friday, when the Rebels will host San Antonio Jefferson from 28-4A in the bi-district round of the UIL playoffs.
The team’s ability to keep the pressure off of their shoulders against Jefferson will loom large. “The key to success will be for us to try not to do too much,” Fuller said. “Playoffs, especially a single elimination game, tends to add pressure. If we keep our composure, don’t put pressure on ourselves to do too much, and just play like we’ve been playing all year, things will take care of themselves.”
Aiding that endeavor will be the stellar pitching of Sarah Leal, who has been the catalyst for success for the Rebels this season. In 122 innings pitched this season, Leal has compiled 142 strikeouts, with an earned run average (ERA) of 1.77. Her ability to stifle opposing offenses is one of the mitigating factors to the success of the team. “Sarah’s ability to pound the strike zone will be key,” Fuller said. “If Sarah hits her spots and we play solid defense behind her then we’ll be ok.”
Hays’ proficiency at the plate has been a large factor in their success, which has led the program to its first district championship in a decade. The Rebel offense is a senior-laden squad, led by senior right fielder Brayden Pinckard, senior center fielder Hannah Ramsey and senior first baseman Clarissa Gonzalez. Each player has compiled batting averages above .450, with on-base percentages above .470. Additionally, all three have done a tremendous job of hitting for extra bases and driving in runs, with the power triumvirate hitting for 36 doubles, 14 triples, 8 home runs and 116 RBIs combined. Their tenacity and aggressiveness has helped the team compile runs en masse, winning ten games by ten runs or more this season.
“Our offense has to continue to swing the bats like we’re capable,” said Fuller, commenting on what Hays must do offensively to bypass Jefferson. “Our entire lineup is capable of swinging the bats and driving in runs.”
For the team, the ability to stay on top of the fundamentals will provide an avenue of success for a lengthy playoff run. “Defensively, we need to make all the routine plays. In the playoffs we can’t afford to give up any free bases or any free runs,” Fuller said. “Offensively we just need to make sure we stay consistent swinging the bats and producing run support.”
If the Rebels can maintain those elements, the sky – or the state tournament – is the limit. “We’re coming into the playoffs playing well and with a lot of confidence,” Fuller said. “So as long as we stay focused and continue to do what we’ve been doing all year, it could be a fun and wild ride.”
Hay will play San Antonio Jefferson April 26, 6 p.m., at the Hays Rebel Softball Field.
Hays (27-4-1, 12-2 in 27-4A), San Antonio Jefferson (13-15, 7-5 in 28-4A)
