New Marble Falls softball coach makes physical fitness a priority

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — The expectations for the Marble Falls High School softball team continue to be high.

And the Lady Mustangs didn’t disappoint when they faced Lampasas in a scrimmage Jan. 30. Though the scoreboard wasn’t on, statistic sheets were filled out for the eight-inning affair. In the end, Marble Falls plated 23 runs and gave up two.

But what made the scrimmage more impressive was how new Lady Mustangs head coach Chelsea Heller kept shuffling her lineup.

Some athletes went to positions they haven’t played in many seasons. And Heller corrected each players’ stance, approach and swing in between pitches.

She said players are still being evaluated to determine who will play on the 2014 varsity team. The aim is to have a squad filled with versatile athletes, Heller said.

“We’re seeing what they can play and what they can do,” she said. “The girls are working very hard. They’re doing almost everything differently.”

Heller simply smiled as she reflected on a fall semester that was filled with a lot of running and weight lifting and not a lot of being on the field with a ball. The reason, she said, is because it’s important for her players to be able to play all seven innings with the same speed, accuracy and movement.

Heller said that’s especially true for pitchers. She noted some fans might think pitchers don’t have to be in great shape to throw. The reality, however, is that successful pitchers usually don’t tire midway through a contest, she said, and have more left in the tank to still hit their spots.

“Every day, we were doing some kind of running,” she said. “You have to be able to get around. When they’re physically fit and working hard, they’re not going to lose pitches.”

The players and the coach spent the past several months getting to know each other. And that time has paid off, Heller said.

“We’re like a big happy family,” she said. “We’re with each other more than we are with our own families.”

Senior shortstop Tyler Oppenheim, who in November signed a letter of intent to play for Texas A&M University-Commerce, said the players have been going through an after-school strength program in the weeks leading up to the season.

“Personally, I feel stronger and I feel faster,” she said. “You have a good time out here when you’re relaxed.”

Senior Amanda Thomas signed to play for the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Both Oppenheim and Heller say District 25-4A will be as challenging as ever. The Lady Mustangs have made the playoffs six consecutive seasons. Leander junior pitcher Hannah Holt returns after leading the Lady Lions to the Class 4A state tournament a year ago.

“There are no givens,” Heller said. “We’re going to have to work every game.”

“I know we have a tough district,” Oppenheim said. “But I feel like we’re in good standing. We’ll see.”

Marble Falls was to play Liberty Hill on Feb. 7 at home, but the game was canceled because of winter weather concerns.

jfierro@thepicayune.com