SPORTS
Bowie softball coach laments lost season
Submitted by
Coach Brant Farris
The 2020 Bowie Lady Rabbit softball season will be one for the memory books, but not for the wins or losses, or even the players on the field. This season has been none like any player, coach or fan has ever seen. This season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The season was off to a promising start for the Lady Rabbits as they had already won more games this year than the previous year, finishing the 2020 campaign with a record of 8-10. We finished the season with a three game winning streak, which is something that only the state champions can say if the season played out as normally scheduled.
We were playing our best softball of the season with two pre-season games remaining before the start of district play. This fact alone makes the pandemic shutdown of the 2020 season that much tougher to swallow. These girls were focused and ready to make a splash in district play.
The pandemic shutdown also affected the junior varsity softball team in a terrible way. Most softball seasons are scheduled varsity-heavy early in the year, with that being said the JV finished the year at 1-1. The affects of this pandemic may be felt for many years as it took valuable time away from several players to learn the game and the traditions of Lady Rabbit softball.
The JV players watch and learn from the varsity games and the practices. This program is rich with a winning tradition and this fact is something that varsity players pass down from class to class, by talking about it with the younger classes during practice. The expectation to continue our winning tradition is set by the players’ work ethic in practice and their desire to win in games.
I am going to miss the bus rides and the practices with my teams this year and building those relationships that winning and losing leads to. The future is bright for Bowie Lady Rabbit softball.
To read the full story that includes information about seniors Gracie Bentley, Chelsea Ketchum, Kylie Fleming and Makaila Wilson pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
Landry Norwood has agreed to become the new Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bowie High.
Norwood grew up in Paradise, playing a number of sports for the Panthers during his high school career. With a number of family members still in the area and the position coming open, Norwood applied and was hired.
“I know the tradition up here,” Norwood said. “I was glad (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach Tyler Price felt he could put his trust in me.”
Bowie’s varsity went 2-10 last year, both wins coming against Vernon. Norwood spent five years as an assistant in Lipan before spending the next four years at Llano, three years as head coach. He said his last two years in Llano were rough after graduation of nine seniors his first year and a 26-7 squad.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News
Nocona came into game two of its Class 2A Division I bi-district series with Archer City looking to rebound from a 17-0 loss in game one.
The Lady Indians took a quick lead but the Lady ‘Cats had too much in the tank and knocked Nocona out of the playoffs courtesy of a 13-3, five-inning victory winning the best of three series, 2-0.
Kylea Wallace reached base on a second baseman’s error. With one out, M’leigha Franklin took a pitch over the wall in left field for a home run, igniting the Lady Indian crowd with a 2-0 lead.
Archer City prevented further damage by retiring the next two hitters. The Lady ‘Cats struck in the bottom of the inning for seven runs.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Culture. It’s a beautiful word.
Bowie Softball Coach Griffin Fields has been trying to install a positive, winning culture since taking over the job. For the first time since 2019, the Lady Rabbits qualified for the postseason, facing District 8 top seed Early in the bi-district round.
After beating the Lady ‘Horns 9-8 in game one of the best-of-three series April 23, Early came back and evened the series less than 24 hours later, 15-0. The Lady Rabbits used the aforementioned culture and got out to a quick lead in game three.
Bowie was then forced to come from behind for the second straight night. Kinley Baker, who had the game winning RBI in game one, came through again in game three and broke a 6-all tie with a single to lift the Lady Rabbits to a 9-6 victory in the finale.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News