Versatile Players Pace Shiner Softball
by John Hornberg, Victoria Advocate Sports
Thursday, May 19, 2011
VictoriaAdvocate.com Article | Shiner Lady Comanche Softball | Return to Shiner Comanche Sports Home Page
SHINER - Holly Haas spent her first two seasons at Shiner behind the plate. Then, she pitched her junior year.
Shiner's Ashley Shimek pitches against Ganado last month for the District 28-1A title at the O'Connor Sports Complex. Victoria Advocate photo
Then it was back behind the plate.
Ashley Shimek has a similar experience, first at shortstop then into the circle.
And then there's Amber Ramirez, the senior outfielder who played second base as a junior.
When it comes to Lady Comanches, each player is expected to do a job, regardless of where it is on the field.
"Coach shifted us around a little bit," Haas said. "He said we are the athletes, and where ever we are, we should do our job."
The versatility has served Shiner well throughout this softball season as they have soared to the top of the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll in Class 1A and prepare to open the regional semifinals on Friday against Center Point at Cibolo Steele.
Game 1 is at 6 p.m., with Game 2 after that.
Lady Comanches coach Brandon Siegel said he expects all of his players to be able to play multiple positions. He takes the term "athlete" seriously, and expects the team to do the same.
"We did a lot of mixing and matching early on," he said. "Toward the end, we found a good defensive mix with a good offensive mix. Each senior has stepped up, taken the changed in stride, and we've never looked back."
Siegel said the Shiner doesn't have the luxury of larger schools, which allows players to specialize at positions.
"Especially at a smaller school," he said. "At a larger school, you can specialize more; here at the 1A level, you have to mix and match."
As for the shift this year, the team didn't skip a beat.
"I don't think it affected us at all," Haas said. "Look where we are now."
Although there was a little bit of adjustment, said senior Amber Ramirez, who played second base last year before moving to outfield.
"It's still a lot different," Ramirez said. "I'm not used to having to back up first base as much as I have to."
This was the first year for Shimek putting her talents in the circle to the test. The senior had always had skill there, but played at shortstop for much of her four years.
But she has soared as a pitcher, going 18-0 since taking over as the Lady Comanches' primary pitcher.
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