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Softball: Depth has Lady Jags optimistic
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
After seeing its 2012 campaign come to a close amidst heartbreak and controversy, the remaining players on Flower Mound's softball team were anxious to get back on the field as the Lady Jaguars seek an eighth consecutive postseason appearance.
Thus far, the Lady Jaguars are 12-7-1 as they continue to gel and find the right mix.
"We've learned from [last season's playoff loss against Plano East] and we're anxious to move on," said Mark Larriba, Flower Mound head coach. "And so far, we've played well at times and not as well at times. But we're playing tough competition and it's going to get us ready for district and hopefully the playoffs."
"Overall, I think we have a pretty good makeup," he said. "We are two- or three-deep at every position. If you look at first base, we really have four girls who could play there and all are talented enough to play in college."
Those players include Allison Smith, a Lewisville transfer who had to sit out last season, Tessa Olsson and Sydney Springfield.
Ashley Fultz returns at second, while Kellie Wanhanen and Lindsey Fowler are vying for time at short and Mauri Jamele and Alex Jennings handle duties at third.
At catcher, the Lady Jaguars will look to Jaclyn Kresta, Kellie McCoy and Katie Holehouse.
"It will be some mixing and matching," Larriba said. "Some are a little better at defense than offense and vice versa. That's what makes our team so strong."
The Lady Jaguars lost a lot in the outfield, but like infield, there are plenty of bodies to fill the void.
Christy Lisenby and Kelly Powell lead the way, while Ashley Roe, Megan Gordon and Jaclyn Kresta fitting in the rotation.
"Christy played catcher last year but now she goes back to her more natural position," Larriba said. "It's tough to replace what somebody like Katie St. Pierre can do, but we'll use our numbers to replace those attributes."
Early on, Larriba has been pleased with what he was seen both defensively and offensively.
"We're hitting well," he said. "Lisenby and Holehouse have really been doing a good job. We get power from different girls and players that can hit for average or drive in runs. And we're usually blessed with a lot of speed and can play that same aggressive style. We'll adjust when we don't have it, but right now we still do."
Flower Mound's quality options are prevalent on the mound as well, where Annelise Oswalt is joined in the circle by Taylor Nabors and Fowler among others.
"We have everyone back and added a couple of freshmen," Larriba said. "I think we're pretty good there. We have some girls that throw with velocity, some that have good control and good movement. Last year, we really depended on Annelise, but she got kind of banged up late and maybe it's because she was overused a bit. That won't happen this year."
For Flower Mound, the goal is making the postseason and advancing from there.
"It's the same goal," Larriba said. "I know it's kind of boring, but it doesn't really change. The results don't really matter to us as long as we're learning about life and its experiences through softball. We don't worry about the outcome, we worry about the process."
Flower Mound is also ready to compete in the six-team 5-5A after life in the talented eight-team 8-5A.
"Six teams and they're all good," Larriba said. "The biggest difference is going to be the pitching. There aren't the super studs we've seen in the past. They're still very good and they're new faces. The telling tale is how everyone adjusts. In the past, not only did we face the Heather Stearns and Holly Kerns, but we faced them for three or four years and were familiar with them. The quality is still very good, though."
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