More mature Coyotes ready to take the next step

A year ago, a young Weatherford College softball team ended the season on an inspiring note. They won 12 of their final 13 games in the regular season to advance to the NJCAA Region V-North Tournament, finishing with a record of 31-21 overall and 19-14 in the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. 

Now, a year older and more experienced, optimism is brimming as coach Haylee Williams' team prepares for even more success in 2025, beginning the season with a 10-2 record in non-conference play so far. 

"We started nine freshmen last year and we kept getting better and better through the season. We return almost all of those freshmen and they have a year of play under their belt and know what it takes to get where we want to go," Williams said. "We have added some really good transfers and freshmen to compliment the returners, and I believe we will have one of our best years yet.  

"The team has a clear vision of what we want to accomplish and we are working hard every day to reach our goals." 

Returning starters for the Coyotes are: 

• Right-handed pitcher Lindsey Oliver, 14-6, 3.16 ERA, 127 strikeouts in 135 innings, first team all-conference. 

• Infielder Sadie Reid, 61 hits, 45 runs, four triples, four home runs, 45 runs batted in, 20 walks, 10 stolen bases, 93 total bases, second team all-conference. 

• Outfielder Alexah Reyes, .408 batting average, team-leading 70 runs, 73 hits, team-best eight triples, team-high 51 stolen bases, 98 total bases, led team with nine hit by pitch, second team all-conference. 

• Catcher Kaela Gillis, .437 batting average, .478 on-base percentage, .612 slugging percentage, second team all-conference. 

• Outfielder Jillian Franco, 18 doubles, 46 RBI, 22 extra-base hits, second team all-conference. 

• Utility player Isabella Alosi, 23 walks, 12 stolen bases. 

• Outfielder Abby Holder, a key reserve last season who Williams noted for her ability to get on base, is also back. She was in and out of the lineup last season due to injuries. 

• Also back is outfielder Hanna Bartels, a solid defender who has signed to play at Northwestern State in Louisiana next season. 

Williams once again has a strong recruiting class, a trademark of her program. Among the freshmen newcomers are: 

• Right-handed pitcher Sarah Hanf (Elk Grove, California). "She has the ability to win a lot of games this year. She has a great mindset to go along with her skill set, and we expect big things from her," Williams said. Hanf has already won the National Player of the Week Award from the NJCAA. 

• Utility player Rian Coon (Haslet, Texas). "She is a really good athlete, plus speed, great work ethic, and is really good offensively," Williams said. 

• Infielder Kassidy Dressman (Texas City), described by Williams as, "A lefty hitter with really good pop." 

The team also added several transfers: 

• Right-handed pitcher Faith Drissel from Tarleton State. "She does a great job of pounding the zone and staying off the plate and changing speeds," Williams said. 

• First baseman Madison Lux from Tarleton State. "Another lefty hitter with big-time pop and has also been a good leader for us," Williams described. 

• Athlete Zaniah Coleman from Blinn, who Williams called "A tremendous athlete, strong, absolutely crushes softballs."   

• Infielder Amrie Clower from Southwest Oklahoma. "She transferred in at break, but looking like she will find a way to contribute to the team's success," Williams said. 

• Infielder Peyton Young from Texas State. "She will be in the middle infield for us, really good skill set and work ethic," Williams noted. 

• Third baseman Lilli Williams from University of Arkansas Rich Mountain. "This kid is a monster, great size and strength, plus defender on the hot corner, huge pop," Williams said. 

• Athlete Landry Fonseca from Northeast Texas CC. "This kid just knows how to hit and get on base," Williams declared. 

• First baseman Karlie Landrum from University of Texas at Tyler, who Williams described as having "great size, tremendous pop at the plate." 

• Catcher Bailey Ford from University of Dubuque. "This kid is a firecracker, great arm behind the plate and strong offensively as well," Williams said.  

Now, in the program's 15th season and 13th with Williams at the helm—she was an assistant coach the first two seasons—the Coyotes have known nothing but success. This includes reaching the NJCAA National Tournament in 2013, Williams' first season as the head coach.  

That tradition is key in consistently getting good recruits and transfers, Williams said. 

"It absolutely helps recruiting to be able to show the success we have had in years past," she said. "Our winning percentage, championships, and also moving kids to the next level is a huge selling point for recruits." 

Once again the NTJCAC is considered by most to be the toughest in the country, Williams stressed. 

"It's going to be a weekly battle when we get into conference, but we are up to the challenge and I look forward to seeing what this group does with all of the talent we have on the roster," she said. 

Postseason looks a little different this year with two regional tournament sites. The No. 1 seed from the north will host a site and the No. 1 seed from the west will host a site. The winner of each site gets an automatic bid to the national tournament.