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After a season without seniors, McAlester softball enters 2026 with experience on the roster.
Last season was a struggle for the inexperienced Lady Buffaloes, going 5-22 and losing in the first round of the regional tournament. Though they did not achieve their goals, they gained experience from another year under their belts.
“We were relying on several sophomores and some freshmen, just a handful of juniors that were leading our way but we just did not have the maturity we needed to really be a forceful team, a winning team,” coach Trent Homer said. “So, hopefully some of that maturity we gained last year continues this coming year.”
This season, McAlester will have veteran leadership to rely on with four seniors. Rylan Lesnau, Bailey Caldwell, Taylor Williams and Emerson Hollis will lead the program, which also has four juniors and over 20 sophomores and freshmen.
Lesnau, Hollis and Williams return for the Lady Buffaloes as three of the top hitters from last year’s squad. Lesnau led the team with a .388 average, Hollis averaged .208 and Williams had a .188 average.
Not only will the seniors provide a boost in the dugout, but also on the field.
“Hopefully they’ve learned and they’ve gained some experience from last year from some of the good pitching we saw and they’re going to help us win games, help us score a lot of runs,” Homer said.
The senior quad has spent the last few years working on their game and now Homer said he believes they’re going to show everyone else how to conduct themselves.
“They are not really the vocal ones that are going to make sure everybody’s doing stuff right, but they lead by example,” Homer said. “They’re going to work hard, they’re going keep their nose down and just work and get it done.”
Hard work should be a theme Lady Buffalo fans see throughout the roster on a game-by-game basis.
Homer said he wants his team playing with more grit this year. After losing six games by three runs or fewer last season, they want to take the winnable games.
“We’re just going to have to play together as a team, as one herd, and get after it and we’re going to have to be tough,” Homer said. “We’re going to have to be tough outs. We’re going to have to make people beat us, and just not beat ourselves.”
The Lady Buffaloes have goals of being better than last year. They want to finish as one of the top teams in the district and host a regional.
The district remains the same with McAlester, Tahlequah, Coweta, Shawnee, Durant and Del City. Tahlequah is expected to put talent on the field with two solid pitchers, one of whom is committed to play for Texas A&M University.
In a season defined by the seniors, they’re ready to put it all on the line one last time.
“I just want to make it a good last year,” Hollis said. “It’s my last year and I’d rather go out with a win.”
Continue reading...
Last season was a struggle for the inexperienced Lady Buffaloes, going 5-22 and losing in the first round of the regional tournament. Though they did not achieve their goals, they gained experience from another year under their belts.
“We were relying on several sophomores and some freshmen, just a handful of juniors that were leading our way but we just did not have the maturity we needed to really be a forceful team, a winning team,” coach Trent Homer said. “So, hopefully some of that maturity we gained last year continues this coming year.”
This season, McAlester will have veteran leadership to rely on with four seniors. Rylan Lesnau, Bailey Caldwell, Taylor Williams and Emerson Hollis will lead the program, which also has four juniors and over 20 sophomores and freshmen.
Lesnau, Hollis and Williams return for the Lady Buffaloes as three of the top hitters from last year’s squad. Lesnau led the team with a .388 average, Hollis averaged .208 and Williams had a .188 average.
Not only will the seniors provide a boost in the dugout, but also on the field.
“Hopefully they’ve learned and they’ve gained some experience from last year from some of the good pitching we saw and they’re going to help us win games, help us score a lot of runs,” Homer said.
The senior quad has spent the last few years working on their game and now Homer said he believes they’re going to show everyone else how to conduct themselves.
“They are not really the vocal ones that are going to make sure everybody’s doing stuff right, but they lead by example,” Homer said. “They’re going to work hard, they’re going keep their nose down and just work and get it done.”
Hard work should be a theme Lady Buffalo fans see throughout the roster on a game-by-game basis.
Homer said he wants his team playing with more grit this year. After losing six games by three runs or fewer last season, they want to take the winnable games.
“We’re just going to have to play together as a team, as one herd, and get after it and we’re going to have to be tough,” Homer said. “We’re going to have to be tough outs. We’re going to have to make people beat us, and just not beat ourselves.”
The Lady Buffaloes have goals of being better than last year. They want to finish as one of the top teams in the district and host a regional.
The district remains the same with McAlester, Tahlequah, Coweta, Shawnee, Durant and Del City. Tahlequah is expected to put talent on the field with two solid pitchers, one of whom is committed to play for Texas A&M University.
In a season defined by the seniors, they’re ready to put it all on the line one last time.
“I just want to make it a good last year,” Hollis said. “It’s my last year and I’d rather go out with a win.”
Continue reading...
