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Ladycats' experience should make difference With a roster full of talent and experience, the Whitehouse Ladycats are poised to improve on last year's 11-3 record and bi-district loss to North Lamar. Coming off a championship in the Tyler TNT, Whitehouse comes into district play with a 7- 3-2 record and a team that has all the ingredients for another playoff season. "This team is something special," said head coach Alicia Crawford (24-15-1 at Whitehouse). "They have a good balance of strength, speed and heart. Attitude makes a big difference in whether or not a team can win the close games, and this year the girls have a great attitude." Leading the "never-quit" chorus are the team's seven seniors: Destanie Neel, Shan Butler, Cecily Petree and returning starters Taylor Russell, Megan Brady, Jordan Knight and Erica Fuller. "Four of our seniors have been everyday players on the varsity for four years. They didn't get to the playoffs their freshman year and they remember what that was like," said Crawford. "Attitude, positive or negative, spreads throughout the team and to have the seniors accept nothing less than the best from everyone makes a team enjoyable to coach." The Ladycats got off to a somewhat slow start with an 0- 3-1 performance in the Longview Tournament. Losses to Evangel, Ruston and Capt. Shreve were characterized by low scoring from Whitehouse. "Our main weakness in the preseason is stranding base runners," said Crawford. "We haven't struggled to get runners on bases … we have not been successful laying the bunt down and moving runners and that has really been our downfall so far." The team got on track in the first two regular games of the season, downing Canton 12-0 and Center 6-1. Sophomore pitchers Emily Costlow and Cagen Medlock picked up the wins, with Costlow striking out 11 against Canton and Medlock 9 against Center. Fuller, who went 5-for-10 in the Longview TNT, continued to lead the team at the plate with 3 RBI in the Canton game and a 3- for-4 performance against Center. Russell and sophomore Chelsey Boulware both were 3- for-5 against Canton, while Brady and Knight each finished 2-for-4 vs. Center. Freshman left fielder Rachel Kidwell broke her hand in the Center contest. After having surgery on Feb. 29, she will not be able to grip the ball for at least two months. "Our fielding is coming together as we are adjusting to new personnel and positions," said Crawford. "The loss of Rachel Kidwell really hurts us; she is a solid outfielder and an aggressive hitter." On the bright side, Crawford noted that the team was hitting better through the Tyler TNT and not stranding as many runners. "We are hitting our stride at just the right moment," she said, adding that District 12-4A is a wide open field this year. "Hallsville and Marshall are good year in and year out. Pine Tree and Henderson are very well coached and will compete for a playoff spot this year as well."
Add in an improved Kilgore team and new coaches at Jacksonville and Nacogdoches, and the race for a postseason berth could be a close finish. |
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