Softball starts next Tuesday

By Sam Waller

The spring sports season is fast approaching for Albany High School teams.

Softball will start things off at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14 against Eastland at Webb Park before spending the following weekend at the Eastland tournament.

Lady Lions coach Jimmy Fuentes said the team has some holes to fill after reaching the third round of the playoffs last season.

“We’ll have five returning starters, but we have four pretty important spots, including pitcher, we’ve got to be able to fill,” Fuentes said. “We’ll have  to fill those with some young and inexperienced girls. That will be a challenge for us.”

Sophomore Carisa Barrera worked 25.1 innings last year, making five appearances with one start in the playoffs.

“She got some reps, and the times she did get in, she did a pretty good job for us,” Fuentes said. “We’re hoping she picks up there now that she knows she’s the one.”

Also back for the Lady Lions are infielders Haily Cox and Robin Lucas and outfielders Gracie Price and Braylyn Abbate. Cox, who has signed with Cisco College, took over at catcher midway through last season, but is expected to play in the field this year.

Fuentes said the team has had to deal with the weather in early workouts.

“We got outside one day, but other than that we’ve been inside in  the big room having to share with the boys,” he said. “Once the weather clears up, we hope we can get outside and get some work done before we have to play.”

After the Eastland tournament, Albany will play in tourneys at San Angelo Feb. 23-25 and Clifton March 2-4.

The Lady Lions open District 8-2A play Tuesday, March 7 at home against Gorman. Because Cisco and Albany are the only 2A schools in the district, both are assured playoff berths.