Softball, baseball continue playoff runs

The softball and baseball teams continue their playoff runs with the regional semifinals and regional quarterfinals series respectively. Softball won the first game in their series against Sulphur Springs May 19.

“I think as we go through playoff games and series we have already more than likely worked out what we wanted to work out earlier in the season,” head softball coach DJ Lopez said. “Now it is basically just tweaking and fine-tuning our skills at this point in time. When you get to this point in the season and this point into playoffs, every team is pretty good and they have got some great pitching and hitting.”

In softball coach DJ Lopez’s first season, he  led the team to a record of 7-1 in playoffs. The team won their last game 7-0, and sophomore pitcher Jade Owens pitched a one hitter with ten strikeouts.

“It went really well because they only had one hit the whole game and we scored in almost every inning,” freshman Skylar Rucker said. “I did good in the beginning. I started off the game with a triple.”

The baseball team will compete against Prosper Rock Hill in their series. They have set the record for most won games in a season, and look to extend their playoff run.

“[I want] to be able to be a consistent hitter for the team,” junior Trent Rucker said. “[Our goal is] to win of course. We set the record for most won games in a season, and we are not done yet. I just prepare mentally and don’t take them [the opponent] lightly even if we have beaten them two times before.”

The softball team will compete on Friday, May 21, and baseball will play their second game the following day. If needed, a third game will be added to the schedule for both.

“It is like I’ve told [the team], getting to the top  and staying there is the hardest part, and being there all the time,” Lopez said. “That is going to be our goal from here on out to get to Austin. It is going to be a battle.”