Last year the West Orange-Stark Lady Mustangs galloped out of the gate fast, but then struggled in the district when the games seem to get longer and obviously tougher. Coach Joseph Viator has most of his girls back from last season’s Lady Mustangs.
Elecia Barlow, Tianna Mims, Aaliyah Teel, Madison Neal, Destinie Stewart, Ja’tayjah Vital, Sidnee Lewis, Mallory Jackson, and Lexi Holt all saw playing time at West Orange-Stark for Viator. Teel and Neal are seniors, the others are juniors and sophomores which bids well for the Lady Mustangs in the future.
Jara Edwards played as a freshman, moved away last year, but is back and will play shortstop for West Orange-Stark this season. Viator is confident she will help the Lady Mustangs a lot.
The two seniors are expected to swing big sticks for the Lady Mustangs according to Viator. Madison Neal and Aaliyah Teel both have exhibited good bats already this pre-season. In the Anahuac scrimmage Neal hit a grand slam. Teel is very fast and will be running track at Stephen F. Austin University. She has an inside-the-park homerun as well as beating out four routine grounders to shortstop for singles. Viator looks for big at bats from those two.
Back from an injury last year is senior Mallory Jackson, and Viator says she will join Madison Neal in the circle. Viator states Jackson will pitch and catch this season, while Neal will pitch and play the outfield where she is also very good. The return of Jackson to the lineup means West Orange-Stark will have depth in pitching and depth at catcher.
Coach Viator is working to get his Lady Mustangs to play full ball games in order to be able to compete in the very competitive district contests. Viator evaluates the district as very tough with teams like Bridge City, Orangefield, and Silsbee just reloading with new players every season, and now Hardin-Jefferson is coming up Viator advises. The coach believes the Lady Mustangs need to cut down on the errors, and Ja’tayjah Vital at first base could be a key to help save potential errors on throws to first. Viator is confident West Orange-Stark can hit the ball and run; if the Lady Mustangs can cut back on the errors in the field they will be competitive.
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