As the Lady Dragons approached post-season play, they had high expectations.
The roster features seven seniors, all of whom previously qualified for the playoffs in talented District 5-6A last year.
But the team wanted to do more than just appear at the playoffs for the third time in four years (and ninth time in 11 seasons). The Lady Dragons had their eyes on advancing past the bi-district round for the first time in four years and potentially reaching the regional quarterfinals for the first time in well over a decade (2005).
Carroll couldn’t have drawn a more fitting opponent to do just that as the Lady Dragons — who finished fourth in 5-6A — took on a Flower Mound. The Lady Jaguars squad continued its streak of district titles this year (6-6A) and spent the previous two seasons battling in district with Carroll.
“It means so much more knowing what happened last year and the past two years, and that we’re both familiar with each other versus just playing a random opponent,” says Madison Cashon, Carroll senior pitcher and center fielder. “And if we beat Flower Mound, knowing what a good team they are, that will only give us even more confidence moving forward.”
Fellow senior second baseman Lauren Long and senior catcher Gaby Garcia echo the sentiments and believe it is Carroll’s time to shine versus their former foe.
“We definitely want some redemption against them and feel it is our time to shine,” Garcia says.
And that is exactly what they got. The Lady Dragons reached their bi-district hopes after downing the Lady Jaguars in three games in a best-of-3 series, opening by outslugging Flower Mound, 13-12, and sealing the series with a 7-6 decision in Game 3.
Carroll’s offense stayed hot in Game 1 of its area- round series against Mansfield, topping the Lady Tigers, 6-1, to move one win from the third round.
Big offensive performances are typical for Carroll as the Lady Dragons scored at least three runs in every district contest but two with an average of 5.2 runs per contest. And Carroll’s aforementioned seniors have been a big reason as to why.
Garcia has been a force for the Lady Dragons entering the area round with team-highs in most every major category including a .495 batting average, which also ranks amongst the best in the area, alongside 38 runs, 26 RBIs and 10 home runs.
Long, meanwhile, was hitting a robust .347 with 11 runs, 20 RBIs and a pair of round-trippers, while Cashon had posted a .314 average with two dingers, 32 runs (second on the team) and 17 RBIs.
Other key contributors offensively have been juniors Brooke Martin (.315 average, one homer, 26 RBIs and 27 runs), Paige Harness (.33 average, 12 runs, 18 RBIs, two home runs) and Katie Gee (.353 average, two homers, 14 runs, 14 RBIs), seniors Victoria Hill (.357 average) and Allie Nuenke (.262, one home run, 21 RBIs) and freshman Lillian Cooper (.263 average, 17 RBIs, 17 runs).
In addition to familiarity and a potent offense, the Lady Dragons exuded far more confidence entering the postseason because of its performance in district. While the Lady Dragons were the fourth-place finisher in 5-6A, Carroll held up well against the top finishers in what was likely the strongest district in the area and potentially the state.
Entering the postseason, 5-6A boasted the state’s No. 2 team in Keller and No. 6 squad Justin Northwest Eaton. Third-place finisher Denton Guyer, meanwhile, reached the regional quarterfinals a year ago and all three teams won their bi-district series.
“[Flower Mound] hasn’t been as competitive in district as we have been, so getting that great practice in and knowing the intensity you bring,” Garcia says. “That’s something that really benefited us.”
Carroll also was exuding confidence despite going 0-6 against the top three teams because of the competitive nature of the battles. The Lady Dragons lost to Keller by one run on two occasions and suffered one-run and two-run losses against both Guyer and Eaton.
Carroll has also been thriving on its chemistry, which could be expected for a team with so many upperclassmen.
“The determination and the drive and the passion we have is incredible,” Garcia says. “We all want the big hit. We want the ball hit to us. It just seems like we’re cohesive and everyone is playing for each other.”
Carroll’s experience also pays dividends in the circle, where the Lady Dragons are a rare example of a team consistently using four pitchers.
“Luckily I’ve been able to catch them over the years and know the strong suits, but it really gets me ready and prepared for different pitches I will see during the game from other pitchers as a batter,” Garcia says.
Head coach Tim Stuewe notes that the decision was made to utilize all four pitchers (Cashon, Nuenke, Martin and Kelly Shackelford) early in the non-district slate to throw off opponents.
For the year, all four pitchers have started at least six games with Shackelford leading with way with 10 starts. The junior has gone 9-5 with a 2.60 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 89 innings. Martin has earned 36 strikeouts in 37 innings with a 3.35 ERA, while Long has a 4.26 ERA and 46 whiffs in 44.1 innings and Nuenke notching 24 strikeouts in 41 innings with a 3.41 ERA.
All four pitchers have also logged at least one save each.
That versatility will come in handy should Carroll draw Keller in the regional quarterfinals for potentially the third, fourth and fifth times this season. Long believes the Lady Dragons just need to continue their brand of play of the season to be a success.
“I just want to look back confidently and say we gave everything and there is nothing we would want to change,” she says. “And I know we will be able to.”