Softball set to challenge first-place McKinney North

Ryan Wang, Staff Writer • April 12, 2019

A win tonight would put the softball team in a tie for first place in the district.

The softball team (9-14-1 overall, 6-1 district) will look to upset first-place McKinney North Bulldogs (14-7 overall, 7-0 district) tonight at 7 p.m. in a road contest.

“I anticipate us showing up and competing against North tonight, It’s going to be a dog-fight,” head coach Brittany Lee said. “Both squads are hungry for a chance at the district championship title. It’ll be the most anticipated game of the season.”

The one loss that the Leopards suffered was from McKinney North earlier in the season in a game which ended 7-4. The Bulldogs currently sit at the top of table in district, with the Leopards trailing just one game behind. Currently, the Leopards have the most runs scored (65), as well as the least amount of runs allowed (14) in their district.

The team played two district games earlier in the week as well as on last Friday, picking up two wins.

The Leopards faced the Sherman Bearcats on Tuesday, April 9 in a game that ended in a 4-0 win. Both pitchers, sophomore Sydney Provence and freshman Bailey Bradshaw, combined to throw a shutout. There were three runs scored in the fourth inning, which was enough to pick up the win.

“We had one of our best defensive games with four double plays against Sherman,” senior Alyssa Holstead said. “We could improve on our base percentage, but if we have a good mindset and are focused, we can get the job done [against McKinney North].”

After shutting out Wylie East 10-0 in the district opener, the Leopards played the Raiders against last Friday, April 5th in another convincing win, this one ending 13-3. Juniors Carlee Schaeffer and Mackenzie Mitchell scored three runs each, and senior Rebecca Holiman led the attack with five hits. Pitcher Sydney Provence lasted four innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out three and walking one.

“The team has been performing extremely well, firing on all cylinders, throughout our last few games,” Lee said. “We’ve grown a lot, mentally and physically, throughout this season and we are seeing the results of battling through some adversity early in the season. The girls have responded well to pressure lately, as well.”

About the Contributors

Ryan Wang, Section Editor

They say third time’s the charm, but as senior Ryan Wang struggles to write his third (and last) staff bio, he feels anything but charming. Being crowned the new Arts & Entertainment editor for TRL, he’s spent the past few months perfecting his craft by watching an unhealthy amount of movies.. Having lost touch with reality, he’s gone back to his roots and doing what he does best: making sandwiches, walking his cat, and shouting loudly at the Pittsburgh Penguins on TV. Needless to say, he can’t wait to go back to school to see his friends, zone out in class, and go on boba-trips eight times a week. Aside from running his extremely legit “Magic Zappy Machine” business, Ryan is also involved in speech & debate, investing club, dishwashing, NHS, and of course, The Red Ledger. He’s looking forward to another great year on staff, where he’ll be looking to connect with new writers, producing great content, and most importantly, raiding the local snack cabinet.

Olivia Lauter, Section Editor

Heading into her fourth and final year in TRL, senior Olivia Lauter could not be more thrilled to soak up every last minute of shooting sports, events and portraits for her favorite publication. Lauter has spent every day of her high school career with a camera around her neck, and you won’t catch her without it until graduation day. As well as being the photo editor for TRL, Lauter is a varsity cheerleader and involved in PALS and NHS. When she’s not on the sidelines with her camera or cheering on the Leopards, Lauter is with her friends, who she adores more than life itself. You will probably hear “last time, best time” and how “bittersweet” senior year is continually from Lauter this year, but she is just excited to spend one more year doing what she loves alongside the people she loves on TRL.