Hillcrest softball returns five starters from last season’s six-win team. The Hornets will look to improve that number behind a competitive roster.
“The biggest strength this team has coming into this year is the desire to compete,” Hillcrest head coach Michael Runnels said. “I had a strong group of kids who attended nearly every summer practice that we had wanted to get better. Players like Mya Frillman, Ish Martinez, Riley Barr, Cameron Summers, Caitlin Summers, Mylie Bright, Alexis Stogsdill, Maddie Hendrix, Hydee Pyle, and Tati Martinez put in the grind this summer.”
Frillman and Ish Martinez are a pair of seniors who Runnels wants to take on leadership roles.
“This year I am looking for senior Mya Frillman to become one of my leaders on and off the field. She is one of my players with the most experience playing the game. I hope she can relay her knowledge of the game to her teammates. She will do anything that is asked of her, from position changes that she might not be comfortable with to laying down a timely bunt,” Runnels said. “Another name I am going to push to take some leadership accountability is senior Ish Martinez. Both Mya and Ish have led by example throughout the off-season by showing up to nearly every summer workout we have had, but now I need them to step up and be a vocal leader both in the dugout and on the field when things aren’t necessarily going our way. They will be asked to maintain a positive attitude no matter what direction the game is going.”
Frillman hit .306 with a .419 on-base percentage last season.
Cameron and Caitlin Summers both also will have leadership roles.
“Cameron and Caitlin Summers are two other players I am looking forward to watching grow and take on some leadership roles within the team,” Runnels said. “Cameron missed all of last season with an injury, but she was at nearly every practice and game to support her teammates. The time spent not playing has allowed her to see the side of the game that the coaches saw. The side of the game where emotions will let us get beat, I am hoping that she can learn from that and will keep everyone punched in when things are headed south.”
Caitlin Summers had a .407 on-base percentage last season, but turned it up in conference play with a .516 on-base percentage.
Innings in the circle pitching are up for an open competition, but expect Hendrix, Cameron Summers and Pyle to handle a bulk of the innings. Caitlin Summers also could throw.
Hendrix has shown great improvement as a pitcher.
“Junior Maddie Hendrix has grown in the circle for us this summer,” Runnels said. “I knew she had a chance to be pretty good for us, but I am not sure she had the confidence to realize her potential until she saw success for us over the summer. She started focusing on pitching at the start of the summer and has made great progress in that area. She throws just as hard as anyone in the area and when she is throwing strikes, she will give us a chance to win some games this year.”
Ish Martinez will be the catcher.
Around the infield, there is competition for every spot. Frillman will play one of the corner spots with Tati Martinez on the opposite corner. Cameron Summers is a likely candidate at shortstop when not pitching. Rosely Figueroa, Ella Safley and Mylie Bright will compete for time at second base. Ayla Vigneault is another name competing for innings on the infield.
Riley Barr, Sydney Peck, Mollie Avery, Caitlin Summers, Lydia Smith, Alexis Stogsdill, Mylie Bright and Hydee Pyle are all competing for time in the outfield.
Runnels is looking for his team to be stronger mentally.
“The area we need to improve in most is the mental side of the game. When things are not going our way, we tend to give into our emotions and get frustrated with ourselves. We need to forget about the mistakes that we make and move on. I have been challenging this group to understand that we are playing a game where failing is inevitable, and the team that handles failure the best will win in the end,” Runnels said. “We need to make sure that when a mistake is made, we can forget about it and not make another one. Often times last year we would be in a game when all of a sudden, we would give up a big inning due to multiple mistakes. We need to do a better job of limiting the big innings due to multiple errors in the same inning.”
Hillcrest opens the regular season Aug. 30-31 at the Aurora Tournament.
“My overall expectations are to compete day in and day out. I want to see them compete in practice to take a start over the next person. During games, I want to see them compete one pitch at a time and learn how to handle the adversity the game throws at us,” Runnels said. “The most important thing I want them to take away from this season is the understanding that life is much bigger than softball. I want them to have fun playing the game. In the end I want them to create memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Ten years from now they might not remember the outcome of a game but hopefully, they will remember good times with their teammates.”
