Coyote softball benefits from experience, leadership

By Rick Mauch

The last time the Weatherford College Coyotes completed a softball season they made a strong appearance in the postseason, advancing four games deep into the tournament they hosted at Stuart Field.

That was 2019. In 2020, things were drastically different as the season was shut down midway through because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, with the anticipation of another full season on the horizon, coach Haylee Williams and her team are expecting a return to normal – as much as possible during a pandemic – and that means returning to the postseason.

But first things first, Williams said they will focus on getting the season going and will take each game as it arrives on the schedule.

"The pandemic impacted us at the beginning of the fall when we had to do a full-team quarantine, but after that we didn't miss any more time as a team as a whole," Williams said. "We didn't get as many fall games as we normally do, but we adapted and played inter-squad as much as possible. I am trying not to look too far into the spring and taking every day as it comes."

The Coyotes return three regular starters, along with three pitchers. They are Kailyne Luna (Clovis, California) at shortstop, Stephanie Jimenez (Huntington Park, California) at third base and Prya Burns (Visalia, California) in left field, with the three pitchers – all right-handed – being Cambree Aguirre (Valley Mills), Destini Trahan (Nederland) and Marcie Moss (Buna).

Jimenez will be in her third season on the squad. She is taking advantage of the NJCAA ruling that allows players from last season to return for one more year with their eligibility status of 2020 in light of the season having been shut down. Also because of this rule the other returning starters and pitchers still classify as freshmen.

Jimenez was an all-conference selection in 2019.

Third-year sophomores who joined the program this year as newcomers are Ayanna Williams (Round Rock) and Brooklyn Araujo (Downey, California). Williams is a transfer from Louisiana Tech and Araujo transferred from El Camino College in Torrance, California.

"Obviously, Stephanie Jimenez is a big leader for us. Her experience in our program and success on the field makes her a natural choice for a leader," Williams said. "We have also had good leadership from newcomers Ayanna and Brooklyn. These three third-year sophomores bring invaluable experience to our young squad.

"People can try to lead, but if the group they are trying to lead doesn't choose to follow them, well you're not really a leader are you? This team has chosen to follow good leadership, and that is just as important."

As for other newcomers, Williams is expecting freshman Destiney Jones (Mansfield, Louisiana) to make an impact, noting that "She is a tremendous athlete, big pop, strong arm and can run."

Two freshmen pitchers who could be solid contributors are Teoni Lamb (Kurrajong Heights, Australia) and Emma Southerland (Graham). Catcher Jesse Armstrong (Mason) is also a nice addition, Williams said.

"I could name almost our entire roster of newcomers, because everyone brings something to the table, which is exciting but also necessary this year more than ever due to COVID and potential quarantines that could happen this spring," she said.

"I feel like we have done a good job using our practices and the few fall games we had to evaluate our new players. Considering the circumstances, we have been able to get a lot of field time in.

"I am very pleased with how our new players have meshed with the returners. They are coachable, high energy, and love playing and learning the game. We were able to lay a good foundation for them to build off of this spring. There is a lot of talent on this roster, we just have to keep pushing them to strive to get better each day."

As always, the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference will be among the nation's toughest again this season. Region V will likewise feature its usual incredibly talented field.

Williams pointed to other perennial powers (besides her own squad) Vernon, Temple, McLennan and North Central Texas as top competition, adding of her Coyotes, "I think we have the roster and mentality to do big things this season. Our conference is a grind 1 through 9, and you cannot afford to take any team in our conference lightly."

The conference will include some adjustments this season because of COVID-19. To help with contact tracing, travel and exposure, instead of playing everyone in two rounds of league play, they have adopted a series format where teams will play the same opponent Wednesday and Saturday in home and away games.

Also, if a game is canceled due to a team being in quarantine, those games will not be made up.

"If a team has one pitcher and 10 position players available we are to play. That could lead to players playing out of position, but it is what it is and we will be prepared," Williams said.

All nine teams will make the Region V-North Tournament this year due to COVID, and the possibility exists of teams being put into quarantine and not playing their full conference schedule due to no fault of their own. Rainouts will still be made up.

The Coyotes begin their season Wednesday, Feb. 3, with a doubleheader against Kilgore College at Stuart Field.