5 time MLB All-star and the 2015 MVP, Bryce Harper once said, “You’ve got to love training and practice. It’s the only way to reach your potential” The Lavaca Golden Arrows are doing just that. Last week was the first week of practice for the 2019 baseball and softball season. Last year both teams won their District Titles and expectations are high again this year.
Coach Mark Headley has moved from the softball field back to baseball this year. Coach Jonathan Vire will be taking over the reins of the softball team. I caught up with both of these coaches this past week and asked them about their expectations for the upcoming season.
“ I know the girls are excited about getting started this past week Coach Schlinker has them working hard right now while I’m still coaching basketball. I’m excited to get out there when I can and get the season going.
The expectations for our team is to compete for a conference, district, and regional championship. Coach Headley has taken the team to state the last couple seasons so they know what it takes to get there so hopefully we can build on those past experiences and make a run in the state tournament.
Being the new coach and also coaching basketball I’ve not had a chance to see these girls in action yet but just from talking to the other coaches and parents from Lavaca and other coaches from the conference one of our strengths will be pitching. Beth Ann May should be one of the best pitchers in our conference and Jessica Flanagan behind the plate. Our defense will also be a strength of ours with Brooklyn O’Kelley at first and Brianna Winchester at short stop as well as Sierra Lamb who played third last year but she could be in a different spot this year.” – Jonathan Vire
“It feels great to be back on the baseball field. I have coached pretty much every sport and I have enjoyed them all but baseball is my first love. My expectations are the same for every team I coach and that is to be very competitive early in the season and grow and get better through the year so that we put ourselves in the position to compete for a conference and district championship. And my expectations are always to get to post season. The strengths that I see so far is that we have a lot of great seniors. And by that I mean good baseball players and good leaders. The key to having a good team and program is having the kids take ownership in their program and I think we have a group of guys that have the ability to do that!” – Mark Headley
