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Pitching depth key for Lady Jaguars in softball
BY RICKY MOORE, Staff Writer
With seven starters returning from last year’s playoff team, Flower Mound softball coach Wendy Massey is more than a little gleeful about her squads’ chances this season.
“I’m very excited about the season starting,” Massey said. “Our strength is going to be the experience we have. We have a lot of potential. We just have to be able to put it together.”
The Lady Jaguars greatest depth is at pitcher, where Massey has three hurlers to choose from. Massey, who pitched at Oklahoma State and has been a private pitching coach for several years, has plenty of experience working with pitchers.
Topping the pitching list are seniors Lauren Kennewell (12-4, 1.74 earned run average, 84 strikeouts) and Dana Nathanson (9-3, 0.85 ERA, 77 Ks). Kennewell the power pitcher of the group, and Nathanson uses movement and location to baffle hitters.
The other pitching choice is sophomore Ashley Rother, who saw limited playing time with varsity last year. Massey said Rother needs to gain experience this season, because next year, she will be the teams’ lead pitcher.
Last season, the Lady Jaguars reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to Irving Nimitz on a freak play. Massey said last year’s playoff run and archrival Marcus’ trip to the state tournament has her team brimming with confidence.
“Our team has quite a bit more confidence now,” Massey said. “Last year, we had a lot of players who were in their first varsity season. They saw what Marcus was able to do last year, and they think they can accomplish the same thing.”
The Lady Jaguars lineup is strong with a good combination of hitters up-and-down the order.
Returning to lead the hitting attack are third baseman Taylor Hoagland (.333 batting average, 4 home runs, 19 RBI), catcher Kayleigh Walts, second baseman Bethany Hardzinski and shortstop Peighton Huse. Nathanson (.418, 1 HR, 12 RBI) will also provide pop in the lineup.
“We’ve been hitting the ball consistently,” Massey said. “We don’t have a weak spot in our lineup.”
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