SOFTBALL: Lady Bronchos have to replace several key players

The goal for the Odessa High girls softball team during the 2011 season was to fashion a return trip to the Class 5A playoffs after missing the season before for the first time since 2004.

Mission accomplished, though the experience was short-lived as Weatherford eliminated Odessa High in the bi-district round.

Now the Lady Bronchos have to build on that qualification with a much different team for the 2012 season, a season that begins Tuesday when the Lady Bronchos host Lubbock Cooper at 5 p.m. at The Corral at the Ratliff Stadium Softball Complex.

Odessa High graduated five players, including the keystone combination of Karena Quiroz and Mia Hignojos, who now plays at the University of New Mexico.

And while the Lady Bronchos have seven seniors on this year’s roster, only two of them — Rebekah Dominguez and Dominique Rodriguez — were full-time starters a year ago.

Which means that Coach Rachel Pena has been doing a lot more work on fundamentals with her club since practice began.

“We’ve moved some players around and that means we have to get some extra work in for them,” Pena said. “And we have a lot of players that are going to have to step up for us this year that didn’t get a lot of playing time last year, so the more practice we can get them, the better.

“But I think we’ll be competitive because a lot of our younger players got experience last year.”

Another key for the Lady Bronchos this season will be the effort of pitchers Kristin Dees and Daniella Casillas. Dees spent last season sharing the circle with A’lyssa Allison and will go into this season as Odessa High’s No. 1.

Pena, though, said she is comfortable with either pitcher on the mound.

She also said she’s comfortable with the way her defense in shaping up, led by Rodriquez behind the plate.

A four-year varsity starter, Rodriguez has, according to Pena, embraced the leadership role vacated with the losses of Quiroz and Hignojos.

“For the past two years, those two had been the ones everyone looked up to and now it’s someone else’s turn,” Pena said. “I’ve seen it with (Dominique) in the way that she helps the other catchers and how she talks with her teammates.

“You need that on any team and we have good leadership.”

When Dees isn’t pitching, she’ll be playing third base, with Janie Campos moving from center field to shortstop and Dominguez moving in to take over at second base.

The outfield will be comprised of Tori Rivera, Isadora Martinez and Unica Rayos.

That’s a much different lineup in the field for a Lady Bronchos team that will be looking for familiar results.

“Your goal every year is to win district and make the playoffs,” Pena said. “Even with the changes, you have to find a way to be competitive.

“Making the playoffs last year should help because the players know what it takes to get that far. They’ve been working hard and I’m excited about the season.”

>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide

SCHEDULE
DATE    OPPONENT    TIME
Feb. 14    LUBBOCK  COOPER    5 p.m.
Feb. 16-18    a-Mansfield Tournament    TBA
Feb. 21    at Lubbock Coronado    6:30 p.m.
Feb. 23-25    b-West Texas Classic    TBA
Feb. 28    SEMINOLE    6:30 p.m.
March 1-3    Big Spring Tournament    TBA
March 6    z-at Midland Lee    4:30 p.m.
March 10    z-ABILENE HIGH    2 p.m.
March 13    z-at Permian    7 p.m.
March 15    z-MIDLAND HIGH    4:30 p.m.
March 20    z-ABILENE COOPER     4:30 p.m.
March 24    z-at San Angelo Central    2 p.m.
March 30    z-MIDLAND LEE    4:30 p.m.
March 31    z-at Abilene High    2 p.m.
April 3    z-PERMIAN    7 p.m.
April 5    z-at Midland High    4:30 p.m.
April 10    HOBBS (N.M.)     5 p.m.
April 14    z-at Abilene Cooper    2 p.m.
April 17    z-SAN ANGELO CENTRAL    6:30 p.m.
(HOME GAMES in CAPS; played at The Corral at the Ratliff Stadium Softball Complex)
a-Mansfield ISD; b-Freddie Ezell Softball Complex, Midland
z—District 3-5A
———
ROSTER
NO.     NAME    CLASS    POS.
1    Rebekah Dominguez    Sr.    2B
2    Daniella Casillas    Soph.    P
3    Jessica Flores    Sr.    Utl.
4    Kassandra Gomez    Jr.    Utl
5    Kristin Dees    Soph.    3B/P
7    Dominique Rodriguez    Sr.    C
8    Isadora Martinez    Jr.    OF
9    Janie Campos    Soph.    SS
13    Brittni Moreno    Sr.    Utl
14    Maria Vasquez    Jr.    Utl
15    Lindsey Wagner    Fr.    IF    
18    Tori Rivera    Sr.    OF
20    Krysta Halford    Sr.    IF
22    Vivian Meraz    Jr.    Utl
44    Unica Rayos    Sr.    OF
Head coach: Rachel Pena (3rd year)
Assistant coaches: Samuel Fredman, Christina Altenhofen.