Wimberley softball closes season
Wimberley High School softball (5-17 overall, 2-7 district) traveled to Boerne High School on Tuesday, April 18, matching up against the district-leading Greyhounds (23-9, 8-1) in the last game of the season.
As difficult as the season has been, the Texans seemed to enjoy their time together and had moments of joy as they cheered each other’s accomplishments. The first at-bat in the game provided one of those moments as senior Grace Owens led off with a twostrike pitch home run to center field, putting the Texans up 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
Holding Boerne scoreless in the bottom of the inning, the second provided another moment of happiness and celebration. After two outs, second baseman Katie Schroeder came to the plate. She took the first pitch strike then planted the second over the center field fence for another home run and a 2-0 Texan lead. “Getting that hit in the last game was a good way to end the season. Grace had such a good season and she got that homer earlier, so I was proud for her,” Schroeder shared.
The bottom of the second inning provided Boerne with the impetus they would need for the game. The Texans gave up two runs before getting the second out of the frame with one on base. Closing out an inning has been the Achilles’ heel of the team over the season. Tied 2-2 with two outs, the Texan defense allowed four runs as five batters made their way up to the batter’s box for a Boerne lead at 6-2 at the end of the inning.
The Greyhounds collected eight runs in the bottom of the fourth, seven coming after two outs had been recorded. The Texans were able to get two more on base during the contest, but neither were able to score leading to a 10-run rule loss in the fifth, 14-2.
Schroeder said again that she was thankful for the camaraderie of the season and hopeful for progress for next year.
“This year was really great,” she said. “I had a lot of fun with my seniors, Addison and Grace. I’m really sad to see them go but they stayed with it, and I’m really proud of them.
“We’ve talked about it and we’re gonna work really hard over the summer,” she added. “I think we’re gonna do really great next year; we’re set up for some good things.”
Freshman pitcher Charlotte Woodward reflected on her season with the team.
“I think I’ve matured a lot this year,” she said. “Addy and I had each other’s back throughout the season, which meant a lot for me. It’s gonna be hard losing her this year, but I’m really excited for people coming up. I think we all worked really good together, and that will help us next year.”
The ladies complete the season with a fifth place in district, finishing 5-18 overall, 2-8 district records.