Relaxed attitude key to Tigerettes’ success
THRALL – When it comes to the Thrall softball team’s “secret to success,” it’s really no secret at all.
The team’s players and coaches rely on three F’s – Faith, Family and Fun. In a day and age where faith is frowned upon in some circles – public schools included – the Tigerettes revolve their success around a higher authority.
“Faith is very important,” said Miley Pokorny, Thrall’s Pitcher. “Before each inning, we go out to the circle and say that no matter what happens, Jesus loves us and He’s so much bigger than softball. It’s who we are in Christ and it’s bigger than the game.”
Pokorny and her teammates are halfway to a trip to the region final after defeating Nacogdoches Central Heights, 3-0, Thursday evening at Montgomery High School. The Tigerettes have a 1-0 lead in the Class 3A-Division II region semifinal series and can clinch the series with a win today.
Game Two takes place at 2 p.m. today at Montgomery High School with a third game to follow if necessary. In the series opener, Pokorny struck out 11 batters and gave up a hit, two walks and a hit batter in the win.
“Central Heights is a very good team. They have a solid pitcher,” said Matt Pokorny, Thrall Head Coach. “The key is to keep the girls happy and locked in, play for each other and give God the glory. We’re ready to rock and roll.”
The head coach is the pitcher’s dad as well. Matt has coached Miley since she was 5.
“I wouldn’t say that he’s harder on me than the rest of my teammates, but he knows what I can do,” Miley said of her dad and coach.
Next year will be a first for the younger Pokorny. She will play at Concordia-Austin under a coach not named Matt Pokorny.
“It’s going to be different not having Dad as a coach, but I’ve met the coaches at Concordia and they’re all really good,” Miley said. “They’re like a family and they’re Christ-Centered, which is what I was looking for in a school and team.”
Junior catcher/utility player Kenzie Engelke has been one of the top hitters for the Tigerettes this season. She also spent most of her playing career catching for Pokorny.
“Catching for Miley has been fun. We have a lot of inside jokes, and we work together very well,” Engelke said. “I’ve talked to Concordia and that’s definitely an option for playing after high school.”
Engelke said the team has a threeseconds rule. They’re allowed to dwell on a negative play for three seconds then it’s time to move on.
“The happy mindset helps us trust each other and work together as a team. If we play loose, we play better,” Engelke said. “We focus on the next play. We focus on what we can control.”
In last week’s threegame series against McGregor, there were a lot of “three-seconds” moments as the Tigerettes committed multiple errors in the trio of contests. Rainy and cold conditions had something to do with that, however.
“We can’t control the weather, but we can control the little things,” Engelke said. “If we take care of the little things, the big things will come.”
Thrall (28-9) controlled the little things Thursday night. The Tigerettes did not commit an error and were able to piece together timely hits to score their runs.
Thrall broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning on an RBI double from Riley Luton, who played catcher Thursday night. Engelke was the designated player and batted in place of Pokorny. The score remained the same until Ryleigh Jensen hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. Central Heights put runners on second and third base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth before Pokorny ended the threat with a strikeout.
Engelke (1-3, 3B), Jensen (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Luton (1-2, BB, 2B, RBI) and A Bishop (1-3) recorded hits for Thrall Thursday night. Central Heights’ only hit came in the bottom of the sixth with one out.
With a win today, the Tigerettes will face either Kirbyville or District 19-3A rival Lexington. Those teams split the first two games of their region semifinal series and play a decisive third game today.
“We have great teammates and a positive mindset. It’s very important at their age to keep them happy,” Matt Pokorny said. “We have a lot of underclassmen who have come in and we’re teaching them what we know. It’s not just me. It’s the coaches, it’s the girls, and it’s the buy-in process as well. These girls are going to step up.”
