Last year, Pleasant Grove's softball team went where none had gone before, all the way to the state semifinals.
That's one of the few things PG left on the table last year, catapulting from a second-place district finish into a wild ride that carried through eight straight playoff victories, ending the seasons of three top-10 teams before finally being eliminated by Needville in a state semifinal game in Austin.
The Hawks enter the season ranked No. 8 in the state, with a team and fan base that expects to be there at the end.
Coach Blake Worley knows it took some great plays and wild finishes to get that far last year, so he and his talented squad know that nothing is guaranteed this year, but they'd like another crack.
"We're hoping to pick up where we left off," he said. "Our returning players are the hardest-working, most focused group I've ever seen."
An infusion of enthusiastic freshmen has allowed PG to form a junior varsity team for the first time in the program's history, and sprinkled a little more speed and hitting ability into the varsity lineup.
"Offensively, we're going to be deeper, better hitting through our entire lineup than we've ever been. We're going to be strong from one to nine," Worley said. "I really see it being difficult to pitch around any one person in our lineup."
The Hawks should have more power, and be more dangerous in situational ball, such as hit-and-run plays, because Worley will be able to insert speedy freshmen runners like Hannah Snyder and Madison Allen.
"They're quick, softball-smart base runners," he said. "The more aggressive we can be, the more opportunities we'll have to score runs."
Another freshman, Kristin Key, leads a group of players vying to get some innings in the circle.
"Last year, Madison Haltom was our only pitcher," Worley said. "This year, she doesn't have to do it all. We have several others."
Last year, the Hawk defense was solid in the playoffs, but Worley said this team has a chance to be better.
"Last year, we struggled in certain areas," Worley said. "We have a lot of really good athletes we can put out there who are really softball smart."
Gone from last year's team is star center fielder Aubrey Ashby, who delivered several game-turning plays both in the field and at the plate. Senior infielder Carley Barrett will start the season in that spot.
Moving into the spot at first base left by the graduation of Mary Kathryn Kyle is freshman Emily Hilton.
The rest of the team will run out to its usual spots.
Senior catcher Brette Wacha, a .349 hitter and second-team all-stater last year, keeps the infield on a level keel. Senior third baseman Faith Lipham hit .367 a year ago and was a slick glove on the hot corner. Shortstop Kimmie Atienza hit .355 and has a big arm. Senior Allie Holt saw a lot of action at second base last year.
Khadija Oritola was a big bat in the outfield a year ago, and sophomore Elizabeth Robles made key plays in the playoffs.
Despite seeing a lot of games washed out by spring rains in 2015, the Hawks finished 18-7. The players want more this time around,
"They are a lot more driven. Now they know they can do it," Worley said. "Two years ago we were knocking on the door. Last year, we kicked it in. Now we want to walk through it.
"They see the potential. They want to win a district title and go to state."
Just winning District 15-4A will be tricky. North Lamar, Atlanta, Liberty-Eylau and Pittsburg all have teams capable of making some noise in the playoffs. Even with four playoff qualifiers, a good team will be sitting at home when playoffs begin in late April.
"There aren't any weak links in there," Worley said. "We have a chance to be more skilled than we've ever been. Our girls are going to step on the field expecting to win."
2016 Pleasant Grove Softball
Date Opponent Time
Feb. 19 Hooks 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 at Gilmer 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 DeKalb 6 p.m.
March 1 Ashdown 4:30 p.m.
March 3-5 at Longview tourney TBD
March 10-12 New Boston tourney TBD
March 15 Foreman 5 p.m.
March 18 x-Paris 6 p.m.
March 22 x-at Liberty-Eylau 6 p.m.
March 25 x-at Paris 6 p.m.
April 1 x-Atlantax 6 p.m.
April 5 x-at North Lamar 6 p.m.
April 8 x-at Paris 6 p.m.
April 12 x-Liberty-Eylau 6 p.m.
April 15 x-Pittsburg 6 p.m.
April 19 x-at Atlanta 6 p.m.
April 22 x-North Lamar 6 p.m.
x-District 15-4A games