WEATHERFORD – The crowd on hand Saturday at the Weatherford College Softball Complex was already standing-room only for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a full 30 minutes before the first pitch was thrown to open the inaugural regular season of the WC Lady Coyotes softball team. Fans and well-wishers were strewn from the concessions mezzanine behind the first-base line, through the packed stands and even into the Lady Coyotes dugout.

After the ceremonies were done, the main attraction began, with WC taking on the Northeast Texas Community College Lady Eagles. After a slow offensive start to the game, run erupted from both sides, but the Lady Coyotes prevailed with a crowd-pleasing, come-from-behind 8-6 victory to begin WC's softball era.

WC president Dr. Kevin Eaton preceded the first pitch of the game with a welcome speech to the fans, and expressed appreciation to sponsors and other supporting entities who helped bring softball, and the facilities, to the community. WC board chairman Frank Martin then wheeled a functional first pitch to Lady Coyotes starting catcher Jessica Burnett.

After the national anthem was performed by Weatherford High School graduate and current recording artist Katie Keeney, the WC ladies got down to business.

WC starting pitcher Kylee Studioso put the Lady Eagles down in order in the first two innings, save for a runner who reached on an error. The right-handed hurler spent the entire game in the circle for WC, and recorded the win.

First-time offensive records began in earnest for the Lady Coyotes in the bottom of the second inning. With Casey Cromwell and Beverly Corry drawing walks, WC shortstop Katie Vandewater stepped into the box and hit a 3-run shot over the left-field wall. After Vandewater cleared the bases, pitcher Studioso helped her own cause with a solo shot, putting Weatherford ahead by a 4-0 margin.

Studioso's only bad inning in the circle came in the next frame when, aided by a WC error, the Lady Eagles strung together a 4-hit, 5-run inning, culminated by a triple from NTCC second baseman Katie Holcomb. 

WC erased the 1-run deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning with help from a pair of Parker County natives,  when Aledo grad Carolyn Clayton stroked a single, driving in Weatherford alum Shawna Henderson.

The Coyotes roster also features former WHS student-athlete Makayla Baeza and Azle's Emily Ditmore. Ditmore, who was scheduled to enter the circle in Game 2 of the double header, made an early appearance in the first game, taking over first base duties when starter Corry was injured on a play at first base in the third inning.

Ditmore made good on her substitution role after WC fell behind again in the top of the sixth frame. A single from Lady Eagles right fielder Kix Hutchins scored NTCC's Bree Williams, putting a 6-5 edge over WC with just six outs left in the contest.

But WC wasted little time to change the eventual outcome, beginning the sixth inning with a single from lead-off hitter Henderson. After a flyout, Clayton stroked her second hit of the game. A groundout added to the drama as Ditmore stepped into the box with two out and two on.

Ditmore slapped a double to right center, scoring Henderson and Clayton, and scored herself when Vandewater added an insurance run with an RBI single.

The Game 2 result was not available at press time, but WC left its stamp on the opener with a win.

The Lady Coyotes continue their schedule on Wednesday when they travel to Big Spring to play a non-conference double header against Howard College.

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by Greg Webb
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