Wylie senior first baseman Ava Cook was the most valuable player of District 9-6A last season. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Last season was business as usual for the Wylie Pirates softball team. The Pirates captured another district title and advanced to the regional semifinals despite having to replace seven starters from the previous year’s team. But joining them atop the District 9-6A standings was crosstown rival Wylie East, which was crowned co-district champion for its first district time in program history.
Although both teams lost key players to graduation, the Pirates and Raiders return several impact players, and they are hopeful that will lead to more wins, both during district play and in the postseason.
The Wylie News will provide a full breakdown of each team, including key returners, newcomers that are expected to make a huge impact and expectations.
Wylie
Head coach: Heather Damron
Last season’s record: 25-12 (lost to Conroe in Region II-6A Division Semifinals)
Damron was as pleasantly surprised as anyone to see Wylie advance to the third round, but what turned from a lot of uncertainty into belief was the buy-in on defense and a potent offense that hit 55 home runs.
One player that exemplified Wylie’s firepower is senior first baseman Ava Cook. Cook, last season’s District 9-6A MVP, will look to build on a breakout junior season in which she hit .512 with 72 RBIs, 62 hits, 20 stolen bases and 18 home runs. Cook was one home run short of tying Mary Stephens’ school record of 19.
Also returning in the infield for Wyle is senior shortstop Amira Forbit. Forbit has also stepped up at pitcher when called up. Angel Wright, a sophomore, was thrown into a lot of high-pressure situations last season as a freshman at pitcher, and Damron said that the biggest area of growth that she has seen from Wright is how she handles the moment. Freshman Avery Neville is also expected to receive playing time at pitcher, in addition to playing at first base.
Forbit, Neville and Wright will be backstopped by sophomore catcher Katelyn Ashenfelter.
Junior infielder Emma Cook is expected to step into a bigger role after playing in a back-up role last season.
Wylie has two proven outfielders back in juniors Carlee Castaneda and Mia Gamez. The Pirates will also welcome back senior outfielder Julia Barta, who returns to the team after missing last season because of ACL surgery.
Wylie East
Head coach Demi McNulty
Last season’s record: 19-13-1 (lost to Royse City in three games in Class 6A Division II bi-district)
Although Wylie East returns just one senior on what will be a young team, McNulty loves the grit of the Raiders, and she is excited to see how far in the playoffs her team’s work ethic and competitive nature can take them.
The only returning senior is catcher Jayleigh Dressler. Dressler, a Texas State signee, will look to build off a standout junior season in which she hit .407 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs.
Dressler built great chemistry with alumnae and pitchers Isabella Flores and Kimma Kincaid last year. Although Flores and Kincaid have since graduated, the Raiders have two other pitchers who saw time on the mound a year ago. Juniors Kinley Kovar and Grace Maddux, who combined for five wins in nine combined appearances, will now see the bulk of the time at pitcher, along with a few other players, including sophomore Alex Brownlee and freshman Haley Perez.
Kovar will play first base and outfield when she’s not pitching, while Maddux is also expected to start in the outfield. Sophomore Dalila Guzman also returns at outfielder for Wylie East.
The backbone of the Raiders’ infield is junior shortstop Gabby Flores.
Varsity newcomer Avery Williams, a junior, won the starting job at second base. Junior Kennley Gholson will rotate between first base and the outfield. Freshman Ryan Collins provides versatility and will play either third base, outfield or catcher.
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