Category: Softball

by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Breckenridge workhorse Chloe Whitmire not afraid to live on the edge while in the circle

BRECKENRIDGE — Chloe Whitmire isn’t your standard, cookie-cutter-mold high school softball pitcher. 

While many pitchers carry a grim look on their faces heading into the circle, it’s not uncommon to spot Whitmire wearing a smile, even while under pressure.

While the majority of hurlers focus on keeping the ball down and changing speeds, this 17-year-old Breckenridge senior spends much of her time up in zone, aggressively challenging hitters with a hard riseball and screwball.

Her numbers are uncommon as well. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Wylie snaps losing streak with 19-1 win over Cooper

Riding a three-game losing streak into Friday’s home matchup with crosstown rival Cooper, the Wylie softball made it apparent early it had no intention of seeing that skid reach four games.

The Lady Bulldogs scored six runs in the first inning and eight more in the second to build a 14-0 lead and cruised from there to a dominant 19-1 win at Bulldog Field.

The victory improved WHS (20-8 overall) to 5-3 in District 4-5A play, pulling coach Heather Collier’s squad a half-game ahead of Abilene High (16-12-1, 5-4) for third in the league standings after the Lady Eagles’ 4-1 road loss to second-place Lubbock Monterey (18-11-2, 7-2) on Friday.

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by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Breck girls use long ball to drop Comanche, take district lead

BRECKENRIDGE — Using a combination of clutch hitting and power, the Breckenridge Lady Buckaroos took sole possession of first place in District 8 on Friday with a 9-5 win over Comanche to break a tie between the two clubs atop the league standings. 

Joni Jackson was 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, Reagan Robinson was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs and Mia Castillo was 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs to spearhead a 14-hit day for Breckenridge (20-9-1, 9-1),. which avenged a 12-6 loss to CHS on March 12.

Big Country strikeout leader Chloe Whitmire earned the win in the circle and helped the Lady Bucks avenge a 12-6 loss to CHS on March 12. Her complete game win saw her allow three earned runs on seven hits with 11 strikeouts — pushing her season total to 285 Ks in 159 innings. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Silva tosses second straight no-hitter as shorthanded Abilene High cruises past Cooper

Coming off a no-hitter against Wylie on Thursday, Abilene High senior Diana Silva wasn’t expecting to pitch in Tuesday’s crosstown matchup against Cooper. 

But when a family emergency forced a pair of her teammates to miss the game, the senior ace responded in the best way she could — with her second no-hitter in as many outings.

Pitching around a couple of walks and her own throwing error in the seventh, Silva was nothing short of dominant, striking out 13 Lady Cougar hitters in a 8-0 victory at Cougar Diamond. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Abilene High ace Silva throws no-hitter in dominant effort against Wylie

After finishing on the losing side of a 3-2 pitchers’ duel in her first matchup with Wylie on March 5, Abilene High ace Diana Silva left nothing to chance in Thursday’s rematch.

The senior right-hander no-hit the Lady Bulldogs, allowing just two baserunners all game, to make the same run total hold up in a 2-0 win at the AHS softball field.

Silva struck out eight while walking one batter and hitting another to complete the seven-inning gem in just 86 pitches, pulling her Lady Eagles (15-11-1 overall, 4-3 in district) into a third-place tie with Wylie (19-8, 4-3) in the in District 4-5A standings.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hermleigh senior takes this week’s accolade

Sometimes the mercy rule and cheat a player a bit, limiting their number of plate appearances or the number of innings they can pitch. 

But in District 15-1A, there is an added mercy rule, beyond the standard 10-run lead after five innings. There, a 15-run lead after three frames is enough to end a game early, which left our Big Country Preps Player of the Week (Hermleigh’s Summer Smith) short of what may have been a staggering set of numbers. 

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by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Jeffers’ walk-off blast lifts Clyde to win over Merkel, earns coach Sewell his 400th career win

CLYDE — If the calendar says its March 22 and the Clyde softball team is facing Merkel, there’s a good chance that something big is on the horizon for Lady Bulldogs coach Reagan Sewell.

After getting the 300th win of his career on March 22, 2019 against the Lady Badgers, Sewell’s squad got him No. 400 on Friday in memorable fashion — with a walk-off home run.

Jaci Jeffers blasted the second pitch she saw from Merkel ace Josie Whitehead deep to center as the Lady Bulldogs rallied for a 7-6 win on their home field.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Abilene High ace Silva notches 300th career strikeout in 6-0 win over Coronado

Abilene High senior Diana Silva struck out 11 batters over 5.2 shutout innings Tuesday to pitch the Lady Eagles to a 6-0 home win over Lubbock Coronado, reaching an impressive milestone in the process.

The AHS right-hander closed her outing with the 300th punchout of her career to move within 85 strikeouts of the school record set by 2019 graduate Kaylen Washington.

Silva’s performance, which featured just one Lady Mustangs hit and a pair of walks, was one of many highlights in the game for the Lady Eagles, who pounded out 12 hits in improving to 14-10-1 overall and 3-2 in District 4-5A play.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Wylie outlasts Monterey in nine innings, walks off with wild 12-11 win

Hosting Lubbock Monterey with sole possession of the District 4-5A lead on the line, the Wylie softball team needed nine innings and an extra out Monday to outlast the Lady Plainsmen.

But after seeing a 10-4 lead after five innings turned into an 11-10 deficit after 8½, the Lady Bulldogs finally put MHS away, taking advantage of a two-out throwing error to tie the game before getting a walk-off double from Kinsley Turner to end it.

The ninth-inning error was the only one made behind Monterey ace Anays Perez, who was roughed up for 21 hits in a complete-game loss. The last of those — Turner’s two-out double to the gap in left-center — allowed Wylie (18-5 overall) to celebrate a big home win and a perfect 3-0 start to district play.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall junior has huge day in San Angelo to capture our award

Wall junior Briggs Jones may be on the verge of a major breakout season in area track and field. 

Our Big Country Player of the Week not only won five medals at the coveted Angelo State Spring Break meet, but he broke two solo school records and helped break a third. It seldom gets much better than that. 

Aside from setting school marks in the long jump at 23-9.5 (for gold) and the triple jump at 45-2 (for gold), Jones was part of the 800 relay team’s silver medal performance of 1:28.49 — another Wall school mark. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Wylie bats apply steady pressure in 13-3 win over crosstown rival Cooper

The Wylie softball team improved to 2-0 in District 4-5A play with its second crosstown win in as many weeks, following last Tuesday’s 3-2 triumph over Abilene High with a 13-3 victory over Cooper on Thursday Cougar Field.

The Lady Bulldogs scored in every inning but one, using a five-run fourth to break open a 3-1 game before putting the finishing touches on a dominant effort with a four-run top of the seventh.

The victory, which featured 14 hits, including five for extra bases, improved Wylie to 17-5 overall, while Cooper fell to 9-14-1 on the season and 0-2 in league play.

Continue reading “GAME STORY: Wylie bats apply steady pressure in 13-3 win over crosstown rival Cooper” →

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Silva, Lady Eagles too much for Cooper in 9-0 crosstown win

Coming off a difficult 3-2 loss to Wylie in its District 4-5A opener with a full week to think about that result, the Abilene High softball team bounced back with an impressive showing Tuesday afternoon against rival Cooper.

Led by senior Diana Silva, who pitched four dominant innings while going 2 for 2 at the plate, the Lady Eagles cruised to a 9-0 home win over the Lady Cougars, evening their league record to 1-1 in the process.

After managing just three hits in the loss to Wylie, AHS (12-9-1 overall) pounded out 12 singles against Cooper freshman Payton Ellis while adding four walks and a hit batsman to put constant pressure on the Lady Coogs defense. Leading 7-0 after three innings, the Lady Eagles were never able to put the run-rule into effect, but they maintained firm control throughout the contest.

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by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Bulldogettes dominate Clyde to take District 6-3A lead

Clyde’s Kaycee Bingham tries to make a difficult play in the second inning of Tuesday’s game with Coahoma. The Bulldogettes won the game 13-0 at the Hanner Sports Complex at Clyde High School.

CLYDE — They are the defending 3A state champion, they are currently ranked No. 1 and when they took the field against highly regarded sixth-ranked Clyde on Tuesday, they were unbeaten. 

Roughly 90 minutes and five innings later, the Coahoma Bulldogettes had improved to 14-0 overall and 4-0 in District 6-3A after a 13-0 run rule win at the Hanner Sports Complex. 

Hannah Wells tossed a five-inning shutout and was 3-for-4 at the plate with a homer and two RBIs to lift Coahoma, which blew the game open with a three-run second inning and a five-run third.  

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jayton’s Gentry takes this week’s award

Big moments attract big-time players and our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, certainly made the most of his opportunity over the weekend. 

After scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing four assists in a state semifinal win over Fayetteville last Thursday, Jayton sophomore Colt Gentry, saved his best for last in a 60-53 win over Benjamin in the 1A boys state title game on Saturday.

Gentry charted a team-high 19 points to go with six boards, four assists, a steal and a block to help the Jaybirds to the state title and earn state tourney MVP honors in the process. 

It was his second straight week of huge performances under pressure, the first of which helped the Jaybirds win the regional tournament.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Colorado City freshman takes this week’s award

As if the Big Country’s collection of softball catchers wasn’t already “scary-good,” the area can count a worrisome new addition to its ranks: Colorado City freshman Bryanna Munoz, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending March 2.

How’s this for frightening? 

Munoz, who was in junior high only a year ago, was an absolute wrecking ball in last week’s Brownfield Tournament, hitting a combined .818 in the event with an 18 of 22 tally at the plate. But that’s not the half of it. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Anson freshman takes the spotlight

It may be a little too early to label Anson freshman softball pitcher Kayme Elrod as a star in the making. But our Big Country Preps Player of the Week is off to a pretty good start.

Last week her performance was nothing short of startling, both offensively and defensively.

In the circle, Elrod finished with a 5-0 record with a five-inning no hitter, a 0.77 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 27 innings of work.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Merkel senior closes the curtain in a big way.

Merkel senior Kooper Darby picked the right time to post the best all-around game of his high school career. 

Playing in his final basketball game as a Merkel Badger, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week tallied a career-high 44 points to go with 16 rebounds, five assists, five steals in a 79-42 win over San Angelo Grape Creek. 

With the Badgers (17-16) missing the playoffs, Darby had a final opportunity to make an impact as a high schooler and he did — like a meteor. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps Preseason Softball Position Rankings: Utility Players/Designated Players

After recognizing the top pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders that the Big Country softball scene has to offer, we close our position rankings series with a celebration of versatility.

For the final installment in our five-part series, we take a look at the top utility players, ranking our top-10 multi-position standouts to watch in 2024. And as a bonus, we’ve also listed our top three designated players for the upcoming season.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading through these lists and encourage you to come back next week when we’ll feature the top baseball players in the Big Country.

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by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps Preseason Softball Position Rankings: Outfielders

After spending the first three days of our softball position rankings series in the dirt, we move the grass for Day 4.

For the penultimate installment of our five-part series, we take a look at the top outfielders in the Big Country, ranking our top 10 with others to watch in 2024.

We hope you enjoy our list.

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by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps Preseason Softball Position Rankings: Infielders

After highlighting the top pitchers and catchers on the Big Country softball scene the past two nights, it’s time to turn our spotlight to the field.

For the third installment in our five-part position rankings series, we list our top-10 infielders in the area for the 2024 season.

We hope you enjoy reading through our rankings.

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by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps Preseason Softball Position Rankings: Catchers

After kicking off our softball position rankings series on Wednesday with the pitchers, we now shift our attention to their battery mates.

For the second installment in our five-part series, we rank the area’s top 10 catchers with others to watch for in 2024.

We hope you enjoy our list.

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by Daniel Youngblood

Big Country Preps Preseason Softball Position Rankings: Pitchers

With softball season kicking off this week, it’s time to take a look at the players who will be making the biggest impact throughout the Big Country Preps coverage area in 2024.

For the first installment in a five-part series that will cover all position groups on the area softball scene, we’ll be taking a look at the Big Country’s top pitchers, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this spring.

We hope you enjoy reading through our list.

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by Evan Ren

SIGNING DAY 2024: Multiple area athletes have now inked their commitments

With National Signing Day taking place on Wednesday, the Big Country, as always, saw a large number of athletes finalize their commitments to compete at the next level. 

Headliners among this year’s signees include Albany running back Adam HIll and Hawley receiver Chandlin Myers, both of whom signed early with Texas Tech University. 

Stephenville offensive lineman Creece Brister (TCU) and Comanche defensive back Kyler Beaty (Baylor) also inked their letters early. They’re joined Brock offensive/defensive lineman Hunter Fay (Navy) and standout hurdler Dylan Foster (Army) as the top signees in the Big Country Preps coverage area.

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by Evan Ren

EVAN REN: Why do coaches even bother?

If I were to ask one question of every high school coach in America – just one – it would be … why bother?

Yes … why bother?

While that may sound vague to some, it will quickly make sense to coaches and to those who have been paying attention.

Put simply, a once-thankless profession has sunk even lower than that (if that’s possible) – making me wonder if it’s worth the effort.

Continue reading “EVAN REN: Why do coaches even bother?” →

by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2023 Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team

Our All-Big Country Preps softball and baseball teams, released this week, are in place to honor those who achieved the most on-field success in 2023. It is off the field, however, where character, grit, and work ethic are often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team that we wish to honor those players, male and female, who were (simply put) the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring. 

This team isn’t about who the best baseball and softball players were.

The All-Hustle team honors effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches wish they had in every player and upon which championships are built.

It is for that reason that this team is largely selected by area coaches and described in their own words.

Big Country Preps is now honored to present these individuals to you — the best team players (boys and girls) that the Big Country had to offer during the 2023 season.

The players below are listed in no particular order. 

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by Evan Ren

2023 All-Big Country Preps Softball Team: Superlative Award Winners

Here are our superlative award winners for the 2023 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2023 Big Country Preps Softball Team: First-team Roster

Here are our first-team selections for the 2023 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2023 All-Big Country Preps Softball Team: Second-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our second-team selections for the 2023 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2023 Big Country Preps Rising Stars Softball Team: The top freshmen and sophomores in the Big Country!

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to release our 2023 All-Big Country Preps baseball teams. 

Here, you will find our Rising Stars Team honoring the top freshmen and sophomores in the Big Country.

For the rest of this year’s softball selections, please click the links below.

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME REPORT: Coahoma tops Santa Gertrudis 4-2 to claim second softball state title

The special moment that had been a year in the making could begin as soon as Kaedyn Lee secured the fly ball in right field. 

Coahoma, which had come so close to winning it all the previous year, could finally celebrate on the infield at McCombs Field. 

The Lady Bulldogs captured the Class 3A state championship Thursday afternoon with a 4-2 victory over Santa Gertrudis Academy. It’s Coahoma’s second softball title in school history with the other coming in 1998. 

Continue reading “GAME REPORT: Coahoma tops Santa Gertrudis 4-2 to claim second softball state title” →

by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME REPORT: Hermleigh softball routs D’Hanis to claim first state championship

Call it dominance. Call it revenge. Call it a transcendent performance from Summer Smith. 

However you decide to label it, the Hermleigh softball team earned the right to be called Class 1A state champions Wednesday afternoon after overpowering D’Hanis for a 9-0 victory at the University of Texas’ McCombs Field. 

It’s the Lady Cardinals’ first state softball championship, and it comes almost a year to the day since Hermleigh suffered a 6-2 defeat against the Cowgirls in last year’s title game. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME REPORT: Wells pitches Bulldogettes to 1-0 win over Rains in Class 3A state semifinals

A fifth-inning single that didn’t even leave the infield. 

That was the only hit Coahoma ace Hannah Wells surrendered Wednesday afternoon during a Class 3A state semifinal against Emory Rains. 

Wells’ domination in the circle combined with Baylor Wright’s RBI single in the second inning were the difference as the Bulldogettes kept their state championship hopes alive with a 1-0 victory at the University of Texas’ McCombs Field. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME REPORT: Como-Pickton too much for Stamford in 7-1 state semifinal win

Como-Pickton struck for three runs against Stamford in the first inning Tuesday night in their Class 2A state semifinal. 

With ace Mattison Buster hitting her spots, that was more than enough run support for the Lady Eagles, who picked up a 7-1 victory at McCombs Field in Austin. 

Como-Pickton (38-2) advances to face Weimar in the 2A championship set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, while the Lady Bulldogs (27-7-1) had their successful season end in the semifinals for the second straight year. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

GAME REPORT: Big fifth inning fuels Hermleigh past Dodd City, earns Lady Cards rematch with D’Hanis

Hermleigh is once again a victory away from its first state softball title. 

The Lady Cardinals broke open a scoreless Class 1A state semifinal with a seven-run fifth inning, claiming a 9-3 victory over Dodd City on Tuesday afternoon at McCombs Field in Austin. 

And once again, D’Hanis will be standing in Hermleigh’s way of a championship. The two teams will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in a rematch of last year’s 1A title game that the Cowgirls won 6-2. 

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by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Bulldogettes’ dominant run fueled by last year’s state tournament heartbreak

A week. 

That’s how long the Coahoma softball team took off after last year’s heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Hallettsville in the Class 3A state championship game. 

The Bulldogettes returned to work over the summer with one goal — making another trip to Austin and taking care of unfinished business. They haven’t relaxed much since. 

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