High hopes for Lady Cats
Fresh off a shared district championship, Archer City returns virtually everyone and added quality freshmen to help build off last season’s success. Lady Cats head coach Mallory Mooney is working on the little things to grow last year’s squad into the best version of themselves.
“We have some work to do on getting better at the little things but when we’re all on the same page with hitting and defense, we’re going to be a pretty tough team to beat moving forward,” Mooney said.
The goals for the Lady Cats are simple this season: win a district championship and make it to the state tourney.
“I want to win an outright district championship,” Mooney said. “I’ve shared it multiple times in my coaching career but I’ve never been an outright district champion. We want to make it to the regional finals and when we make it there, make it to state.”
Through the early goings of the 2022 season, the Lady Cats have featured a two-pitcher system in Jill Liles and Valerie Rater. Liles was the workhorse for Archer City a season ago while Rater comes up as a highly-touted freshman.
“I’m fortunate enough to have both of them that I can trust. Jill has the experience from last year because she had to pitch every single game. It’s nice to have Valerie to come in as a refresher. Either one can start. One can start and the other can come in and relieve because they’re completely different pitchers. I’ve been letting them take turns pitching because I want them to have as many innings as possible so when the playoffs come, they’re both ready.”
Behind the plate, Rater’s twin sister Vivian has stepped up as the backstop for the Lady Cats. Through 12 games this season, she’s hitting at a .385 clip with a homer, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored.
“She gives 100% behind the plate. She hustles for balls if they get by her. I can trust that she’ll run down the pop-ups. She has lots of confidence and that’s important behind the dish. She can throw people out at second. She knows what she’s doing and can help out her pitchers.”
Sara Kyle moves from right field to first base after starting for Archer City a season ago.
“Sara’s been there the most. It works out when she’s there for the rest of the defensive spots. I just want her to catch the balls that are catchable and be a wall at first base. We’ll make some bad throws, so I need someone that can keep the ball from getting past.”
Emma Gray was a breakout star for the Lady Cats as a freshman last season, earning Archer County News Diamond Dozen honors. This year, she boasts a .438 average with six extra base hits and 10 RBI.
“She’s a very strong and important part of the lineup in the three hole. That’s the RBI spot. She works at hitting outside of practice which shows on the field. I need her to continue to not strikeout, put the ball in play and reach base safely.”
Aspyn Huseman makes her triumphant return to shortstop after missing last season due to injury. Currently she’s hitting .300 for the Lady Cats and has thrived since making the move from second base where she played as a sophomore.
“I’m looking for consistency out of Aspyn. She’s a natural athlete. She played second her freshman and sophomore years and is making the transition to the left side of the infield. She can make athletic plays. If she can stay consistent with her throws over to first, we’ll be fine.”
Maddie Lopez returns after earning Archer County News Diamond Dozen Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. With the addition of Rater behind the plate, Lopez makes the move to her natural position of third base. She leads the team with 14 RBI and is hitting at a .382 clip to open the year.
“I want her to carry that Lopez name and do her job at third base. She’s got a strong arm and can stop line drives hit at her. In the lineup, she can smash the ball. When she’s confident and on a roll, she can hit the ball 250 feet. We’re working on her confidence and being consistent at the plate. Hopefully by Windthorst and Petrolia time she’ll have that confidence.”
Emma Gallegly represents the final newcomer for the Lady Cats in left field and has shown flashes of greatness early on in 2022.
“She has a cannon. She can throw it from the fence to home plate. Knowing that arm is out there is big. She’s been pretty good at catching pop flys. If one gets past her, I can count on her to get it in quick and give us a chance to make a play at second, third or home. I like knowing I have a cannon out there.”
Mallory Maxwell is back for her final season patrolling centerfield. A mainstay in the Lady Cats lineup for four years, Maxwell earned Archer County News Diamond Dozen honors as a junior last season. She’s currently tops on the team with a .419 average with a pair of homers and 16 runs scored.
“When the ball is hit to the outfield and is anywhere in her zip code, I don’t even stress because I know that she’s going to catch it. I don’t even stress. She can play from left-center to right-center which takes a lot of pressure off the other two outfielders. I know the pitchers can relax when they see a ball fly over there head because they know she’s going to catch it.”
After playing second base for the majority of the season last year, Kadence Huffman makes the move to right. Additionally, Adelyn Harvey may see time in the outfield should the need arise.
“Kadence has done a decent job. She’s made some tough catches. I need to work on her confidence because she’s moving from second to right. It’s a hard transition going from a middle infield spot to a corner outfield spot. With more practice, I can trust that she’ll do a good job. I have Adelyn on the bench who’s an outfielder and I could always go to her for an outfield spot if we start struggling in that position.”
For a team loaded with upperclassmen talent, the sky is the limit for the Lady Cats in 2022.
