Softball overcoming adversity

For many of the Wimberley athletic teams, the Texans and the Lady Texans were able to finish the season without a hitch.

Unfortunately for the Wimberley Softball team, the Texans weren’t one of them.

Nearly a year ago today, before the COVID-19 outbreak shutdown the entire state and the UIL canceled many of the spring sporting events, the Texans season be canceled right before the start of district play.

Now the Texans are back to finish a full season of softball after having their season canceled.

For Head Softball Coach Robert Klick, the season is one that no one should be taking for granted.

“Last year we stopped playing right before district,” Klick said. “It was disappointing, because we had one senior last year, you always want to see them off but fortunately she is playing at the next level in Colorado... I told the girls this year ‘Hey every moment matters, don’t take anything for granted because just like that everything can be taken away from you. So savor it all.”

But as the Texans started a full slate of softball games last week, another challenge hit them in the face.

Due to cancellations from the historic winter storm and the COVID outbreaks on other teams, the Texans were faced with the fact the team hadn’t played a scrimmage or a game in nearly two weeks.

“It’s been rough,” Klick said. “We have a lot of questions about our lineup and wanting to play kids at different positions. Not having those scrimmages really hurt… It kind of put a damper on things to help us answer some questions and to step into tournament week it’s kind of tough.”

The Texan Softball Classic saw the Texans face a slew of softball powerhouses in Hallettsville and Marble Falls.

With a Texan team filled with youth, including five freshmen that started against Hallettsville, the team is facing growing pains.

“We have some growing to do,” Klick said. “We are having to adjust on the fly, and we’ve got kids in positions they have never been in and having to go against Hallettsville, one of the best teams in 3A. It’s a tough little process.”

“I feel for the kids,” Klick continued to say, “I’ve got some great kids who work hard and are coachable, and I don’t want them to be frustrated with games like tonight. Our first two games of the season we beat both San Marcos and Blanco with walk offs. We are going to grow, adjust and figure some things out as the district rolls around.”

The Texans finished the week with a 2-3 record which included the aforementioned game with San Marcos that saw the Texans storm back from a 11-5 run deficit in the third inning to win 13-12 following a walk off triple from Cypress Daniel.

Wimberley resumes play Tuesday night against Bastrop before traveling to Burnet to play in the Burnet Softball Tournament.