Published: May 15, 2008 11:51 am         

Slocum reaches regional semifinals for third straight year

By SCOTT TYLER

H-P Sports Editor



SLOCUM — For the third straight season, the Slocum Lady Mustangs have reached the Class A-Region III semifinal game but this year has been a little different.

Slocum head coach David Ives has gotten back to the semifinals with a young team that only had one returning starter play for the entire season.

“It has been fun to watch these young kids grow up,” Ives said.

The Lady Mustangs hope to reverse their semifinal fortune at 7 p.m. Friday when Slocum plays Maud at Hallsville High School. The Lady Mustangs have lost in the semifinal round the last two years.

However, Ives knows this is a different team than what he has had after seven seniors graduated off of last year’s team and his starting catcher Leah O’Dell has been sidelined for most of the season with an injury she suffered at the beginning of basketball.

The young Lady Mustang squad has two playoff wins under their belts — a 11-7 victory over Martinsville and a 4-1 win over Colmesneil.

“The girls are coming around and understanding how important each game is,” Ives said. “The youth worries me a little, having that kind of inexperience at this level.

“But once the game gets going, the are going to be OK.”

The one player who has been playoff tested is pitcher Karson Salmon, who was the Lady Mustangs’ starter last year.

Salmon, who has been battling an injury, gave up one run and struck out seven against Colmesneil.

“Karson got into a rhythm late in the game against Colmesneil and kept them off balance,” Ives said. “She is getting better (with the injury) everyday and it is a day-to-day thing.”

While O’Dell has been sidelined for the regular season and supported her team from the bench, she got the chance to play against Colmesneil. The Slocum junior got her first chances to swing the bat this season as she was inserted as the designated hitter.

“Leah being able to hit was a big deal and the girls seemed excited that she got to play,” Ives said. “She is a leader on our team and our team seemed a lot more relaxed and that may have been because of Leah.”

Going into Friday night, Ives said it would be critical for his team to get timely hits, something the Lady Mustangs were able to do against Colmesneil.

In the quarterfinal win, Slocum took its first lead on a bunt by Kelli Bowman that scored Heather Hoag.

Later in the game, Slocum scored three two-out runs on singles by Brittany Alpaugh and Shelby Stephens.

“We got some critical hits at the right time,” Ives said.

Maud, the runner up in District 18-A, has reached the regional semifinals with three playoff wins — 6-5 over Cumby, 5-2 over Martin’s Mill and 10-0 against Joaquin.

“They are a real good defensive team that does not make many mistakes,” Ives said.

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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com

     

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