Bushland softball will advance to regional quarterfinals round scheduled May 10

BUSHLAND, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Bushland Lady Falcon softball team will advance to the regional quarterfinals round of the 2024 UIL Texas Softball State Championships 3A Regions 1 & 3 tournament after defeating the Presidio Blue Devils 11-0 in the area round.

The Lady Falcons are 26-5-1 overall and undefeated in district play.

The quarterfinal will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. against the Shallowater Fillies at Plainview High School’s softball field.

This season Bushland softball is under the leadership of Tayler Frye, who brings a fresh perspective to the Lady Falcons.

“Really bringing a knowledge of actually playing the game, rather than just watching,” said Frye. Knowing what these girls are going through and their goals. I had the same goals at their level, wanting to go to college, wanting to play in college, and then wanting to coach in college as well.”

For Coach Frye it was important that the team stayed focused on winning and buying into their new culture.

“It was super important especially coming in as a female, they’ve never had a female head coach,” explained Frye. “Just having them trust me after having lots of different head coaches, but also just like showing them that I cared and that I am a female, but it didn’t really matter that we were still going to accomplish our goals.”

The Lady Falcons have relied on their seniors throughout the season to accomplish their goals and remind themselves of the Bushland softball legacy.

“I learned a lot from the girls every day I they teach me things I didn’t know about being a senior how to handle situations,” said Senior third baseman Abby Howell. “I’m really proud of us for getting this far but we haven’t reached what we’ve gotten to in the past year, so we’re still focused on getting and going further.”

Bushland softball also knows the importance of not taking any moment for granted throughout the season.

“We’re just working hard every practice coming in like it could be our last practice because even if we’re not in playoffs another day is not guaranteed you never know what could happen like COVID again,” said Bryle Adams senior pitcher. “So, just coming in working hard every practice and giving it our all and enjoying it with these girls you kind of have to step up to make sure everybody’s doing good.”

With the regional quarterfinals around the corner Adams message to the team is stay positive.

“Stay positive, stay out of our heads because that’s something that has hurst in the past year,” said Adams. “Staying humble and playing with the pride of Bushland softball because we do have a legacy. So just keeping that in the back of our minds that we are Bushland softball.”

Bushland hasn’t trailed their opponents much this season but when they have had tough games and practices team unity has made a difference.

“Having that sense of unity and making sure that everyone knew that they all had an important role,” said Frye. “No matter what it was, whether you’re keeping score, whether you are a base runner, or you’re starting to pitcher, you always have a super important role. Anybody that’s in our dugout is going to be in the game, no matter what.”

Frye adds they’ve had moments throughout the season where different people have stepped up and had success due to the teams ability to community and stay focused.

“If you have a lot of loud dugout then you’re going to be loud on the field, your confidence on the field will boost,” said Frye. “Not to mention that you’re always engaged in the game as well. So, you’re always making sure that whether you need to step in and pinch hit, or you need a base run, you know exactly what’s going on in the game. All of the girls have been ready whenever they’re called up.”

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