Play Ball! Baseball/Softball Season Begins Monday
Monday, February 20th, 2012
Chalk the lines, oil the gloves, it is time for baseball and softball season again in Houston County. Area teams will return to the diamond on Monday to kick off the new season, all with hopes for being the last team standing when the dust settles in June. Five teams officially kick off their regular season on Monday afternoon with two other teams taking the field on Tuesday.
The Grapeland Sandiettes will take the field on Monday with a road trip to Palestine for a showdown against the Westwood Lady Panthers. The Sandiettes lost two seniors from last year’s State Finalist team, and will return six of nine starters, as they look to be one of the top teams in the state again. This will be an early test for the Sandiettes as they look to kick off their season on the right foot.
The Grapeland Sandies will hit the road for their first game of the year, as they travel to face the Groveton Indians. The Sandies narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, falling to Slocum in a playoff for third place. With a strong group of returning players, the Sandies look to be a playoff contender, and hope to get the season on a high notet.
The Crockett Bulldogs will open their season at home against the Hemphill Hornets. The Bulldogs advanced to the Region III Semifinals last year before being stunned by Hughes Springs in a three-game series. With major losses to graduation, the Bulldogs return just three starters from last year’s team, but hope to be in a reload, not rebuild situation. The Bulldogs will get a good look at what they have on Monday night when they host a Hemphill team that reached the playoffs last year and has aspirations of returning again.
Elkhart will kick things off against perennial powerhouse Leon at home on Monday as well. Entering the season as the #10 team in class 2A, the Elkhart Elks have big shoes to fill this year. Those shoes will be tested early when they welcome the always talented Leon Cougars to town on Monday evening. Elkhart found themselves shocked in the Area Championship last year, but hope to avoid another letdown, and will be tested early by a Leon team that made another deep playoff run last year.
Latexo will travel to take on a highly touted Douglass Indians team on Monday. Looking to keep pace with the top teams in the district, and return to the playoffs again, the Latexo Tigers will open the season on Monday night in Douglass. The Indians were part of the Regional tournament last year, and bring back the bulk of their roster for what should be another deep run. This will be an early measuring stick for the Tigers against a quality opponent.
The Elkhart Lady Elks, after already hosting their annual Lady Elk Classic over the weekend, will host Cayuga in a regular season showdown on Tuesday evening. With a couple of games already under their belt, the Lady Elks will host a talented Cayuga Lady ‘Cat squad on Tuesday. The Lady Elks hope to take that next step in the playoffs this year, after falling to eventual State Finalist Central Heights in the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Cayuga will test the Lady Elks early, and show where they stand just a week into the season.
The Latexo Lady Tigers will also kick off their home slate by welcoming the Timpson Lady Bears to town on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers look to improve, as they have each year since kicking off their softball program. Latexo will take their next step on Tuesday afternoon when the Lady Bears roll into town.
For pictures and a complete recap for all of the area baseball/softball action, check back in The Messenger. Also follow The Messenger on Facebook and check out our website at www.messenger-news.com. Chris Boothe can be reached at cboothe@messenger-news.com.
The Grapeland Sandiettes will take the field on Monday with a road trip to Palestine for a showdown against the Westwood Lady Panthers. The Sandiettes lost two seniors from last year’s State Finalist team, and will return six of nine starters, as they look to be one of the top teams in the state again. This will be an early test for the Sandiettes as they look to kick off their season on the right foot.
The Grapeland Sandies will hit the road for their first game of the year, as they travel to face the Groveton Indians. The Sandies narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, falling to Slocum in a playoff for third place. With a strong group of returning players, the Sandies look to be a playoff contender, and hope to get the season on a high notet.
The Crockett Bulldogs will open their season at home against the Hemphill Hornets. The Bulldogs advanced to the Region III Semifinals last year before being stunned by Hughes Springs in a three-game series. With major losses to graduation, the Bulldogs return just three starters from last year’s team, but hope to be in a reload, not rebuild situation. The Bulldogs will get a good look at what they have on Monday night when they host a Hemphill team that reached the playoffs last year and has aspirations of returning again.
Elkhart will kick things off against perennial powerhouse Leon at home on Monday as well. Entering the season as the #10 team in class 2A, the Elkhart Elks have big shoes to fill this year. Those shoes will be tested early when they welcome the always talented Leon Cougars to town on Monday evening. Elkhart found themselves shocked in the Area Championship last year, but hope to avoid another letdown, and will be tested early by a Leon team that made another deep playoff run last year.
Latexo will travel to take on a highly touted Douglass Indians team on Monday. Looking to keep pace with the top teams in the district, and return to the playoffs again, the Latexo Tigers will open the season on Monday night in Douglass. The Indians were part of the Regional tournament last year, and bring back the bulk of their roster for what should be another deep run. This will be an early measuring stick for the Tigers against a quality opponent.
The Elkhart Lady Elks, after already hosting their annual Lady Elk Classic over the weekend, will host Cayuga in a regular season showdown on Tuesday evening. With a couple of games already under their belt, the Lady Elks will host a talented Cayuga Lady ‘Cat squad on Tuesday. The Lady Elks hope to take that next step in the playoffs this year, after falling to eventual State Finalist Central Heights in the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Cayuga will test the Lady Elks early, and show where they stand just a week into the season.
The Latexo Lady Tigers will also kick off their home slate by welcoming the Timpson Lady Bears to town on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers look to improve, as they have each year since kicking off their softball program. Latexo will take their next step on Tuesday afternoon when the Lady Bears roll into town.
For pictures and a complete recap for all of the area baseball/softball action, check back in The Messenger. Also follow The Messenger on Facebook and check out our website at www.messenger-news.com. Chris Boothe can be reached at cboothe@messenger-news.com.
