HUTTO — The Hutto Lady Hippos varsity softball team entered the season with high expectations after returning most of its starters from last year’s squad that went 12-5 in district play and advanced to the area round of the playoffs.
Despite those expectations, the Lady Hippos still managed to exceed them, capping off an incredibly dominant regular season with a 15-1 district record and a district championship following a dramatic 6-4 victory over Vista Ridge.
Hutto head coach Matthew Mullins spoke about his team’s accomplishment.
“Just from the jump during the offseason, they meshed together very well. The camaraderie is the best I’ve had here at Hutto,” Mullins said. “They showed up for each other not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. So, I had a good idea that we would be successful.”
Kiyoke Earle came through with the game-winning hit as the Lady Hippos secured the district title.
“There was so much riding on that game with the district championship, but we kept reminding the girls — and they kept reminding themselves — that we have been here before,” Mullins said. “We have been down late and we have been down early, and that’s what we did.”
Hutto dominated the remainder of its district schedule after an 8-7 extra-inning loss to Stony Point in the district opener. The Lady Hippos rattled off 15 straight district wins as part of a 20-game winning streak.
The Lady Hippos won 11 of those 15 district games by 10 or more runs in a season filled with dominant performances.
Hutto featured a lineup with few weaknesses, finishing the season with a team batting average above .400. The offense was led by senior second baseman Sophie McElyea, senior third baseman Kenna Spence and senior catcher M’Kayla Hicks.
“We try to balance out the lineup so it’s not top-heavy and you have players who are dangerous throughout,” Mullins said. “The productivity we got from the top of our lineup was good, but the productivity we got from our 6-7-8 hitters, that’s what sets you up for big-time success.”
The Lady Hippos also received strong production from several underclassmen, including sophomore Kaelyn Price, freshman Jenna May, freshman Brooklyn Moldenhour and sophomore pitcher Bailey Kelley, all of whom played major roles throughout the season.
The season, however, ended on a bittersweet note as the Lady Hippos were unable to get past the second round for the second straight year. Last season, Hutto fell to Taft, while this season it was swept by San Antonio Clark in the area round.
“We just have to stay in the fight, keep being in the moment and when opportunities present themselves, we have to take advantage of them,” Mullins said. “We had many opportunities against Clark and we came up short.”
Still, the future remains bright in Hutto. The Lady Hippos are set to return 14 players from this year’s team, and they will likely enter next season as the favorite to win the district title once again.
