With five games in the bag before their softball season was canceled, the Mansfield Lady Tigers were just starting to gain momentum. The girls had just earned an 11-1 conference win over Greenland when news broke that the AAA was going to suspend the remainder of the season. “I was looking forward to this year’s group of girls,” stated coach, Erica McKay, who although having experience on the field as the assistant softball coach, was excited to launch her first season as head coach. “Not only did we play some really great teams but each time that we stepped on the field, we were showing growth in areas that had been lacking.”
The Lady Tigers closed shop with a 1-0 conference record and a 2-3 overall record with their second win coming from shutting down Lavaca 11-0. “I just had this feeling that this group of Lady Tigers was going to go far this season. They had the talent, drive, and hard work to be successful. That is definitely the hardest part of the situation we are in. It’s obviously a hard time for this group of girls and especially the seniors. But all we can do as coaches is to be there and support them.” This year’s softball team will be losing three seniors.
Playing varsity ball since freshman year, Maggie Strunk has seen great success as a starting pitcher striking out a total of 58 batters during 67.1 innings. “She has really stepped up in her pitching role while also being a leader for this team.” Maggie concludes her high school softball career with 55 games played, 72 hits, 24 RBI, 42 runs, a .426 batting average, 18 stolen bases, 116 putouts, and 63 assists.
Kyli Davidson “has developed into a very consistent outfielder for us over the last four years.” With a fielding percentage of .862 from 50 games played, Kyli also finishes with 22 putouts, three assists, four stolen bases, 15 RBI, 26 hits, and 12 runs. And during her three-season ride, Abby Morgan “has contributed many hits at the plate for the Lady Tigers” acquiring a .315 batting average. Abby competed in a total of 22 games earning her 17 hits, 14 runs, 10 RBI, one home run, nine putouts, one stolen base, and 12 assists.
“I know it’s hard for my girls to stay positive when it comes to coping with the loss of a season, but keep taking it day by day. We have to focus on why we are having to take these precautions and it’s all for the safety of our loved ones. Stay active and enjoy the time you have with your family.”
“The softball program at Mansfield is looking very bright for the upcoming seasons. We will be gaining quite a few athletes here in the next couple of years that will contribute greatly to the success of this program. Coming back from this pandemic, I believe these girls will really cherish the moments they have left with any sport they love. Playing every game like it’s your last is a cliche phrase, but this pandemic just shows the real truth behind that and I believe the next group of Lady Tigers will take that to heart. The future is bright for the Mansfield Softball Program!”
Photos courtesy of Michele Ann Elmore
