Softball: Lady Mustangs battling injuries early

While Creekview's softball team got out to a 6-13 start, first-year head coach Stacey Segal was confident that if the Lady Mustangs improved their play with two outs, more wins would come.

So far, so good in District 10-4A, as the Lady Mustangs have bounced back with a pair of wins to improve to 2-1 in district and 8-13 overall.

On Monday, Creekview cruised past Newman Smith, 13-0, on the heels of an 11-1 win Friday over West Mesquite.

"We've been competing every game," Segal said. "We've actually outhit our opponents in every game but three of them. We just need to toughen up with two outs, whether it be a big hit or getting a big out in the field to stop the bleeding."

Segal said the squad returns varsity talent while mixing in a few new faces.

"We spent a lot of the fall working on chemistry and figuring out our strengths and weaknesses," she said. "So we have a good idea of where we are at, and that's a good thing now that district is here. I think this is a talented team that has a good shot at making the playoffs."

Early on, the Lady Mustangs are hitting .350 as a team.

"We're getting people on base and are putting them in scoring position," Segal said. "And that's my offensive philosophy; to find a way to get on base."

Leading the way offensively is junior Cherie Jackson, who was the district's Offensive Player of the Year last season and has committed to Texas Woman's University but has been dealing with an ankle injury thus far.

Northeast Texas Community College signee Madison Moyer returns at catcher for the Lady Mustangs.

Around the infield are Jackson at first (who is supported by Alyssa Jimenez and Courtney Duncan) Kyla Jobe at second, Kira Edmeads at short (in addition to Moyer) and Dana Johnson at third. Johnson will also see time in the circle, with Jimenez chipping in on the corner for those occasions.

Outfielders include Jayme Johnson in left after playing right last season, Kaytlin Mackie or Kara Bramhall in center and Bramhall or Savannah Flatt in right.

Designated players include Jackson, Duncan and Danielle Braden.

"We've had to play people all over the place because we haven't been healthy at all," Segal said. "At one point we were down to our fifth catcher. I think our versatility has become one of our strengths and has helped us out with all the injuries. But at the same time, it can sometimes work against us because we aren't getting as many repetitions at the same spots and aren't getting used to each other as much."

Thus far, Moyer, Mackie, Jimenez, Jayme Johnson, Duncan and Dana Johnson are each hitting above .300.

On the mound, the Lady Mustangs are looking to Sydney Walker and Dana to replace Alex Lewis, last year's Pitcher of the Year.

"Sydney pitched a little last year, but they're both pretty new," Segal said. "And they're both doing a good job so far. They're stepping up and are starting to hit their spots and they both compliment each other very well. I anticipate using both pitchers throughout the season."

For the Lady Mustangs to advance to the postseason, they must place in the top four of a district that features Forney and North Forney, among others.

"Forney is vying for another trip to state and North Forney is a solid club, too," Segal said. "I haven't seen a lot of the other teams, but we know teams like Mesquite Poteet, Smith and Highland Park are usually talented.

"We all put our shoes on the same way, though; if we can tighten up with two outs, we believe we can make it. But we have to find a way to start getting ahead early."

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