Lady Mustangs outscore opponents 34-10, add three wins

The Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs played three games last week, scoring 34 runs, while only surrendering 10. The ladies started off the week, playing Queen City on Monday. It was a game that was supposed to have been played on the previous Friday but due to field conditions in Queen City, it was postponed. It was a win for Zoe Lanier, who surrendered only one earned run. But nine Mustang errors led to six unearned runs. Lanier was solid on the mound, churning out a monster number of 155 pitches in seven innings.

Hughes Springs was paced by Haylee Wilson and Bailey Tenbrook, with Wilson going two for four with three runs batted in, while Tenbrook went four for four with three RBI’s and two runs scored. Both ladies belted home runs in the win.

Tuesday, the ladies welcomed Linden-Kildare to town and made quick work of the Lady Tigers, winning the game 16-0 in just four innings. The ladies were efficient and business like in the win, pounding out 14 hits, while playing team ball. The bottom half of the line-up was the key contributors in the win, with Kensley Echols, Sierra Blankenship and Emily Meade all going two for three with Echols and Meade having two RBI’s. Meade and Echols also led the team with doubles, with Meade having one and Echols having two in the win. Becca Bates was solid at the plate as well, going two for three with two RBI’s and scoring a run. She also started the game on the mound and worked two innings, not allowing a hit. Bates also struck out three batters, while only throwing 20 pitches. Abbye McKinney relieved Bates and struck out four in two innings.

Friday’s game was against the Paul Pewitt Lady Brahmas. The ladies traveled to Omaha for an afternoon matchup, and on Good Friday, they were indeed good, winning 8-3. The game also was special for the Hughes Springs ladies as well, because the game was umpired by William Henderson. It was the first softball game that Mr. Henderson had called for the ladies since a playoff game last year when he suffered a heart attack mid-game. The game was stopped and all prayers and thoughts were with him. He seemingly has made a great recovery, and all are so thankful for his recovery and continued presence on the diamond.

Peyton Blythe was the star performer in the game, reaching base in all four plate appearances. Blythe had a double, triple, a walk and a single, to be one home run short of hitting for the cycle. She scored three runs and had one RBI to go along with two stolen bases. Blythe also had a diving catch in center that could have been put on Sportscenter, had there been a video camera in the vicinity. Shelbie Fickling, Kensley Echols, and Haylee Wilson all had two hits in the win, with Echols adding two RBIs.

Zoe Lanier was again on the mound, this time sstriking out 11 batters and only surrendering 5 hits. Lanier pitching seven innings, and allowing only two earned runs, enabled the Hughes Springs batters to work at the plate with ease, knowing that their lead would hold up with her throwing bullets at the opposing batters. This week the ladies will take on Chapel Hill and Mt. Vernon. Both games will be at home and will start at 5:30 p.m.

With the ladies having a record of 19-5, Coach Thompson was asked if she believed the Hughes Springs team was playing their best ball or did she think there were things to work on still. She responded, “We still have things to work on. We’re still playing well but not where we need to be just yet. Which is good, I don’t want the girls to peak too early.” The ladies have the coach to get them there at the right time. With the talent, the heart, and passion for the game that they have all combined, Hughes Springs is proud and ready for a long ride, all the way to Austin come June.