SOFTBALL
Lady Hornets, Lady Pines look for more
The 2025 softball season for area teams will feature new head coaches in Lake Worth and Azle, though the new leader in Azle is still a familiar face. As one of the new coaches looks to break a postseason, the other is out to continue a tradition, while the lone returning head coach has even more in mind this season.
AZLE LADY HORNETS
The Lady Hornets have made a habit of being in the postseason with five straight appearances (not counting 2020 when the season was stopped by the COVID pandemic).
First-year head coach Carlos Font Santiago looks to keep that tradition going in 2025 with seven returning starters from last season’s 22-13 squad that reached the second round of the playoffs for a second straight year. Santiago is no stranger to the program as he has been an assistant coach and in the district for six years, taking over when Macy Pruitt became an assistant principal.
Back for the Lady Hornets (9-3 in district, second to state semifinalist Aledo) are: Senior second baseman/ pitcher Corynne Barone, second team all-district Senior pitcher/first baseman Adrianna Wiedeman, second team all-district Senior outfielder Haley Carlson, honorable mention all-district Senior third baseman Ryann Baker Senior outfielder Klaire Carlson Junior shortstop/outfielder Ema Lehr, first team all-district Sophomore first baseman Bella Tipton, district Freshman of the Year Also, Santiago said every reserve has the opportunity to make an impact in the lineup.
And, he noted the junior varsity had an “excellent season, marked by significant growth and development” in 2024.
“Several players showed impressive progress and are now poised to take on key roles at the varsity level,” he said. “This transition reflects their hard work, dedication and potential to contribute to the success of the varsity team moving forward.”
The Lady Hornets will once again face Aledo in the quest for the championship of District 5-5A. The league also includes Brewer (second round), Keller Fossil Ridge (down from Class 6A), Saginaw Chisholm Trail (down from 6A) and Saginaw.
“Our district is highly competitive and every game presents a challenge. You have to bring your best effort every Tuesday and Friday to stay at the top,” Santiago said. “It pushes our players to continually improve and stay focused, knowing that the level of play is consistently high.”
SPRINGTOWN LADY PINES Springtown has been to the playoffs each of the past four seasons and appears ready to make a run at extending that streak. The Lady Pines (14-15, 5-5 in district last season) advanced to bi-district last season and return four starters from that squad.
Back are: Senior third baseman Ava Fernandez, honorable mention all-district Junior pitcher Kylee Spray, first team all-district Sophomore shortstop Ryleigh Morris, second team all-district Sophomore outfielder Makinze Nation A handful of freshmen could make an immediate impact, coach Carey Robertson said. They are Kaylee Falcon, Reiss DeLaFuente, Kaylee Ratliff, Jaydan Gurule and Harmony Flores. Likewise, big contributions are expected from seniors Bailey Spillman, Chelsea Cobb, Kaylee Moore and Addyson Norris, along with senior transfer Riley Fagan.
The junior varsity was 12-1 last season, led by sophomore pitcher Ashlyn Tripp, who could be a key factor this season on the varsity.
The Lady Pines will compete in District 8-4A, which also includes Burkburnett (regional semifinals last season), Decatur (second round), Bridgeport (bi-district), Lake Worth, Castleberry and firstyear school Eagle Mountain.
“Burkburnett, Decatur, Springtown and Bridgeport all have a chance to compete for the district title and playoffs,” Robertson said. “New school Eagle Mountain has good players and may contend as well.”
LAKE WORTH LADY FROGS The Jessica Branam era is underway and the new head coach seeks to take the Lady Frogs back to the postseason for the first time since 2019. With a host of talent returning, optimism is high.
Branam said her anticipated initial lineup for the Lady Frogs (9-19, 0-10 in district last season) will be: Senior shortstop Katelyn Pahlen, first team all-district Senior pitcher Jocelyn Garcia Junior second baseman Karina Velez Esteves Junior third baseman Kinsley Lopez Junior outfielder Vanesa Campos Reyes Sophomore outfielder/ pitcher Faith Robinson, second team all-district Sophomore first baseman Samazy Maquez Sophomore catcher Bailey Jones Sophomore outfielder/ pitcher Charlotte Arnette Pahlen has held the team’s record for steals since her freshman year.
Key reserves who could make their way into the starting lineup, Branam said, include outfielder/first baseman/pitcher Naomi Rodriguez, pitcher Sahara Delgado, pitcher Bria Beebe and catcher Andrea Sanchez, all juniors.
Brenam is also counting on help from players moving up from the successful junior varsity team since the varsity lost eight seniors to graduation.
The Lady Frogs will compete in District 8-4A alongside Burkburnett (regional semifinals last season), Decatur (second round), Springtown (bi-district), Bridgeport (bidistrict), Eagle Mountain (first year) and Castleberry.
“We have a tough district, a lot of goals and right now we are focusing on getting ready one game at a time,” Brenam said. “We are working hard to make sure the team reaches a higher skill level than last year and that we can help the girls in the program to grow as athletes and as individuals as well.
“We want to provide the girls with tools they may use inside and outside the field.”
