I_DONT_CARE
04-30-2008, 10:49 PM
WO-S set for W. Columbia
Van Wade
The Orange Leader
WEST ORANGE — They made history last week by capturing their first-ever softball playoff series last week, now the West Orange-Stark Lady Mustangs can add an even bigger feather in their caps this week against the very well established West Columbia Lady Roughnecks in the area round.
The Lady Mustangs (22-9) made quick work of the Shepherd Lady Pirates in the Class 3A Region III bidistrict round, winning those games 5-0 and 9-1.
WO-S and West Columbia will get together in a best-of-three area round series at Deer Park High School with Game One slated for Friday at 5:30 p.m. with Game Two scheduled 30 minutes after Game One. Game Three, if necessary, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Deer Park.
The Lady Roughnecks (23-8) are the District 24-3A champions and went to the Class 3A State Tournament in 2005 and 2006, winning it all in 2006 when they defeated Van 5-2 in the state title game.
“West Columbia is loaded with talent and they have some kids with valuable playoff experience, and several with State Tournament experience,” said Lady Mustang head coach Randy Ragsdale, who has led WO-S to three consecutive playoff berths. “Our kids aren’t going to go in there and be scared. They’re going to pin their ears back and get ready to play.”
The Lady Roughnecks had a bye last week after defeating Needville 3-1 in the championship game of 24-3A after the two squads tied for the title during the regular season. Needville (25-5) will play District 21-3A champion Bridge City in a one-game playoff Friday at 7 p.m. at Huffman High School.
West Columbia is led by an outstanding senior trio in pitcher Cami Newsome, power-hitting first baseman Kiara Bonner and first baseman Natalie Locke, who all played key roles on the state-winning team as sophomores.
Newsome went 14-8 on the mound. She’s worked 154 2/3 innings and has a sparkling earned run average of 0.63, striking out 204 batters in the process. Newsome is also hitting .345 for the year with a team-leading 19 runs batted in.
Bonner had to miss out on her junior campaign due to a knee injury but bounced back well. She has crushed the ball all year, batting a whopping .532 with 41 hits, 35 runs, four triples, three home runs and 18 RBI. She also has 22 steals.
Lock is hitting .310 with 22 hits, four doubles and 12 RBI.
“It’s a good thing to have players like that,” said Ragsdale. “They’ve been through some wars. They compete in a very competitive district and won the thing. From what I understand, their pitcher (Newsome) throws really smart and their first baseman (Bonner) is one of the best players that we’ll see. I heard they also have pretty good speed.”
The Lady Mustangs have certainly been spearheaded by junior ace pitcher Rebekah Ragsdale. In District 21-3A play, Ragsdale tossed 93 innings, allowing just a mere 42 hits while striking out 155 and walking just 19 for an ERA of 0.58. She also leads WO-S at the plate as she hit .417 in 21-3A play and had five doubles and a home run.
Senior third basemen Jennipher Orebo, who usually hits cleanup, is batting a lofty .375 with six doubles. Junior shortstop Kristin LeBouef is hitting .366.
The bottom of the Lady Mustang order has produced solid numbers as well. Both Kelli Bilbo and Amanda Villadsen are both hitting .333 while Lauryn Windham is hitting at a .314 clip.
Britni Revis, Taylor Jaynes, Cayla Adams and Amanda Ulbrich have also played key roles in the Lady Mustang success.
“I know we’ll get nothing but a top effort from our kids,” said Ragsdale. “They’re really not feeling any pressure right now, especially after getting those wins against Shepherd. They’re working hard and having fun. We’ll go over there and play hard and they’ll go all-out. They’re really looking forward to it.”
The WO-S-West Columbia winner will face the Giddings-Splendora winner in the regional quarterfinals next week.
Van Wade
The Orange Leader
WEST ORANGE — They made history last week by capturing their first-ever softball playoff series last week, now the West Orange-Stark Lady Mustangs can add an even bigger feather in their caps this week against the very well established West Columbia Lady Roughnecks in the area round.
The Lady Mustangs (22-9) made quick work of the Shepherd Lady Pirates in the Class 3A Region III bidistrict round, winning those games 5-0 and 9-1.
WO-S and West Columbia will get together in a best-of-three area round series at Deer Park High School with Game One slated for Friday at 5:30 p.m. with Game Two scheduled 30 minutes after Game One. Game Three, if necessary, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Deer Park.
The Lady Roughnecks (23-8) are the District 24-3A champions and went to the Class 3A State Tournament in 2005 and 2006, winning it all in 2006 when they defeated Van 5-2 in the state title game.
“West Columbia is loaded with talent and they have some kids with valuable playoff experience, and several with State Tournament experience,” said Lady Mustang head coach Randy Ragsdale, who has led WO-S to three consecutive playoff berths. “Our kids aren’t going to go in there and be scared. They’re going to pin their ears back and get ready to play.”
The Lady Roughnecks had a bye last week after defeating Needville 3-1 in the championship game of 24-3A after the two squads tied for the title during the regular season. Needville (25-5) will play District 21-3A champion Bridge City in a one-game playoff Friday at 7 p.m. at Huffman High School.
West Columbia is led by an outstanding senior trio in pitcher Cami Newsome, power-hitting first baseman Kiara Bonner and first baseman Natalie Locke, who all played key roles on the state-winning team as sophomores.
Newsome went 14-8 on the mound. She’s worked 154 2/3 innings and has a sparkling earned run average of 0.63, striking out 204 batters in the process. Newsome is also hitting .345 for the year with a team-leading 19 runs batted in.
Bonner had to miss out on her junior campaign due to a knee injury but bounced back well. She has crushed the ball all year, batting a whopping .532 with 41 hits, 35 runs, four triples, three home runs and 18 RBI. She also has 22 steals.
Lock is hitting .310 with 22 hits, four doubles and 12 RBI.
“It’s a good thing to have players like that,” said Ragsdale. “They’ve been through some wars. They compete in a very competitive district and won the thing. From what I understand, their pitcher (Newsome) throws really smart and their first baseman (Bonner) is one of the best players that we’ll see. I heard they also have pretty good speed.”
The Lady Mustangs have certainly been spearheaded by junior ace pitcher Rebekah Ragsdale. In District 21-3A play, Ragsdale tossed 93 innings, allowing just a mere 42 hits while striking out 155 and walking just 19 for an ERA of 0.58. She also leads WO-S at the plate as she hit .417 in 21-3A play and had five doubles and a home run.
Senior third basemen Jennipher Orebo, who usually hits cleanup, is batting a lofty .375 with six doubles. Junior shortstop Kristin LeBouef is hitting .366.
The bottom of the Lady Mustang order has produced solid numbers as well. Both Kelli Bilbo and Amanda Villadsen are both hitting .333 while Lauryn Windham is hitting at a .314 clip.
Britni Revis, Taylor Jaynes, Cayla Adams and Amanda Ulbrich have also played key roles in the Lady Mustang success.
“I know we’ll get nothing but a top effort from our kids,” said Ragsdale. “They’re really not feeling any pressure right now, especially after getting those wins against Shepherd. They’re working hard and having fun. We’ll go over there and play hard and they’ll go all-out. They’re really looking forward to it.”
The WO-S-West Columbia winner will face the Giddings-Splendora winner in the regional quarterfinals next week.