The softball team will play its last district game of the season at Lewisville High School on April 19 at 7:15 p.m. The team has already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, as they are second in the district.
“I feel really good about where our team is going into our last district game,” head coach Chelsea Herndon said. “Our team chemistry, defense, offense, pitching and catching are all working well. This team is doing a great job of making the hard plays when they need to be made and capitalizing on situations where we have runners in scoring position.”
Earlier this season, the Lady Hawks competed against Lewisville, losing 6-5. The team also previously lost to them last season 2-0, which cut their season short and prevented them from making playoffs.
“As long as we hit the ball hard and avoid their shortstop, it’ll be really easy to get on base,” center fielder Alyssa Sneed said. “Last time we played them, they made a lot of errors on the infield. Their offense wasn’t too special. They could just bunt the ball, and we just didn’t make some of the plays, but they only really have one batter that we’re worried about at all.”
The Lady Hawks are on a five-game win streak heading into this last district game and with a 10-3 record. Herndon said that overall, the goal is always to play their best game and come out with a win.
“We’ve had our highest of highs and our really, really low moments,” third baseman Allie Lovett said. “But we’re on a winning streak right now, so I hope it stays that way.”
The team is focusing on small bunts and slow rollers to counter how Lewisville plays. Sneed said that the team has also been focusing on its situational hitting.
“[We need to] lock in, because I know sometimes we’ll mess around a lot before games,” Sneed said. “We try to treat every game like it’s win or go home. As long as we keep with that mindset, then I think we’ll be perfectly fine.”
Last season, the team finished fifth in the district. Herndon said that this game will set the tone for the playoffs.
“[The mentality is to] leave it all out on the field,” Herndon said. “It is the last district game of the year, we have clinched playoffs, so why not work on what we need to work on and get ready for what’s to come with playoffs? I hope the girls go out, have fun and compete.”
