Starting the season
The Lady Tigers kick off their season with scrimmages
Freshman Preslie Clopp rounds third base after her second consecutive home run to start her freshman season. The Lady Tigers had their first scrimmages to start the season Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.
February 6, 2023
The Lady Tiger softball team ventured off three hours to Crandall to start their season in a round robin scrimmage tournament against Crandall and Royse City Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.
The Tigers played two ninety minute games with no score, just to get reps in.
The Tigers took an early lead over Crandall in the first inning of game one with a first pitch home run shot from freshman Preslie Clopp in her first at bat of the season.
Crandall’s leadoff batter answered with a homerun of her own to knot the game at one.
The Tiger offense performed well, scratching multiple hits off against decent pitching after not seeing any live pitching yet in the season.
The second inning went quick for both sides, both only sending three batters to the plate.
Junior Gabi Lancaster started a rally with a leadoff double in the third inning, then was scored by a triple from junior Mollie Fisher. Freshman Sydney Woods scored Fisher with an RBI single. Clopp doubled her home run stat with another long ball over the right field fence.
“I felt good after getting those two home runs, especially since that was my first outing as a freshman,” Clopp said. “I don’t think anyone would expect me to go out there and do that.”
The Texas defense fell apart a little, with a few miscommunication errors. Crandall took advantage of the errors offensively and pushed some runs across the plate to take the lead and end the first scrimmage. I do believe that all of the girls showed up to play, it gave us the confidence that we are where we need to be — Assistant Coach Chealsea Slider
To start off against Royse City in game two, the Tiger defense struggled to silence Royse City’s strong offense. With a few missed opportunities to get out of the inning due to errors, the Bulldogs were able to push across multiple runs.
Fisher started with a lead off single, and stole second to give Woods a runner in scoring position.
“I feel good about how we performed overall,” Fisher said. “I think it was a good way to start the season, I’m excited.”
Woods converted with an RBI double. Junior Brooklyn Threadgill scratched another run off with an RBI single.
With the bases loaded, freshman Cali Forte took a walk for an RBI.
The Tigers limited the Bulldog offense better throughout the remainder of the game, keeping their big hitters at bay and making more plays.
Overall, the team is feeling good going into the new season.
“I feel like we had a positive performance this weekend,” Assistant Coach Chealsea Slider said. “It also showed the areas that we need to work on. Things are looking incredibly positive and I am so excited to see the girls grow.”
