SOFTBALL: Experienced Permian looks to duplicate success

Every day.

That’s how often Permian softball coach Lori Haltom admits to thinking about the regional quarterfinal playoff loss against Weatherford last season, a contest that turned on a miscue by the Lady Panthers.

Permian has a chance to erase that memory with the start of a new season Tuesday as the Lady Panthers travel to face Canyon High at Wolfforth Frenship. Then, on Thursday, it’s back to Lubbock for the first day of the Fuddruckers Caprock Classic, where Permian will face Frenship and Amarillo Tascosa in pool play before heading into bracket play on Friday.

Haltom can’t wait to get her team back on the field.

“I’m ready for the season to start,” Haltom said after a recent practice. “Ready to get the memory of the way last year ended out of my mind.

“I think I used it as motivation toward the way I coach, because I really let myself get too angry at the time and that wasn’t the right thing to do. We have a lot of players back from last year that have that experience now, so that should help us.”

While the Lady Panthers do have quite a number of returning players, it will be a decidedly different looking team that takes the field this year as Marlee Gabaldon won’t be patrolling at shortstop and Holly Herrington won’t be in the circle for the first time in four years.

Gabaldon, such a feared leadoff hitter that opponents intentionally walked her with the bases loaded, is now playing at the University of Texas.

Herrington, who threw nearly 500 pitches in an area playoff series victory against state-ranked Lubbock Coronado last year, has moved on to Midland College.

Stepping in to take over the full-time starting role is senior Liz Hernandez, who has been on the team the past four years. Hernandez has spent most of her time at third base, while also spelling Herrington from time to time.

“Liz has done a good job in getting ready for the season,” Haltom said. “She has always had a lot of pitches, but she’s throwing a little harder right now, so that’s good to see.”

In the infield, Haltom has moved junior Jamye Ashley from second base to shortstop to step into the void created by Gabaldon’s graduation.

Ashley has plenty of range and a strong enough arm to handle the position, but now has to take over the role as one of the team’s leaders.

Also returning for the Lady Panthers are first baseman Dani Brookshire, catcher Lindsey Chastain, infielder Ashley Venegas and outfielders Kailey Burson, Nikki Day and Breanna Flores.

Freshmen Destinee Moreno, Elizabeth Craig and Kali Holcomb also will have large roles for Permian.

“The key for us is how long it’s going to take for us to come together with the older and younger players,” Haltom said. “We are going to have some tough games early in nondistrict and the tournaments, so that will give us a good idea about our team.”

>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide

SCHEDULE
DATE    OPPONENT    TIME
Feb. 14    a-Canyon    6 p.m.
Feb. 16-18    b-Fuddruckers Caprock Classic    TBA
Feb. 21    at Wolfforth Frenship    6 p.m.
Feb. 23-25    at Wichita Falls Tournament    TBA
Feb. 28    c-Dumas    6 p.m.
March 1-3    Big Spring Tournament    TBA
March 6    z-MIDLAND HIGH    4 p.m.
March 10    z-at Abilene Cooper    2 p.m.
March 13    z-ODESSA HIGH    7 p.m.
March 15    z-at Midland Lee    4:30 p.m.
March 17    z-SAN ANGELO CENTRAL    2 p.m.
March 20    z-at Abilene High    6 p.m.
March 23    at Alpine    6 p.m.
March 30    z-at Midland High    4:30 p.m.
March 31    z-ABILENE COOPER    2 p.m.
April 3    z-at Odessa High    7 p.m.
April 7    z-MIDLAND LEE    2 p.m.
April 10    z-at San Angelo Central    4:30 p.m.
April 14    z-ABILENE HIGH    2 p.m.
April 17    ANDREWS    6 p.m.
(HOME GAMES in CAPS; played at the Ratliff Stadium Softball Complex)
a-at Wolfforth Frenship High; b-Lubbock; c-at Lubbock High
z-District 3-5A
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ROSTER
NO.     NAME    CLASS    POS.
2    Danielle Brookshire    Jr.    IF
3    Milleana Minjarez    Soph.    IF
4    Nikki Day    Sr.    OF
5    Lindsey Chastain    Soph.    C/OF
6    Ashley Venegas    Soph.    IF
7    Destinee Moreno    Fr.    IF
8    Elizabeth Hernandez    Jr.     3B/P
10    Kailey Burson    Jr.    OF
12    Breanna Flores    Jr.    OF
14    Kali Holcomb    Fr.    IF
22    Leandra Sarabia    Jr.    OF
24    Jamye Ashley    Soph.    2B
27    Elizabeth Craig    Fr.    P/IF
45    Brea Elizardo    Soph.    OF
77    Christina Dickson    Sr.    OF
Head coach: Lori Haltom (4th year)
Assistant coaches: Nicole Garcia, Amy Galindo.