Alvarado softball gets off to 5-2 start under first-year head coach Rachel Vinyard

Feb. 20—ALVARADO — The Alvarado Lady Indians opened the 2023 season with a 5-2 showing in week 1.

Alvarado is in its first season under the guidance of Rachel Vinyard, who was named head coach after the departure of longtime head coach Rick Waugh. Being named head coach of Alvarado softball is an honor Vinyard doesn't take lightly.

"In 2015, fresh out of college, Alvarado was my very first coaching job," Vinyard said. "I was young, inexperienced, and although I had knowledge for the game, I was far from being an impactful coach. Alvarado took a chance on me anyway. Eight years later, Alvarado seeing me fit to lead their softball program is a full-circle moment, and I can't wait to give back to the community that has given me so much."

Coming off a 22-win season, the Lady Indians enter the 2023 campaign with seven returners, including five returning starters.

"We've got a good mix of returners and new additions," Vinyard said. "We are using these pre-season games to find the nine that are going to give us the best chance at winning games."

After a 13-3 win over Benbrook on Feb. 13 to open the season, the Lady Indians went 4-2 in the Fort Worth Tri-Cities Tournament Thursday through Saturday.

Alvarado opened tournament play strong Thursday with wins of 21-4 over North Crowley and 13-2 over Arlington Lamar. On Friday, the Lady Indians split a pair of games with a 4-3 win over Boyd before a 13-8 loss to Lorena. And on Saturday, it was another 1-1 outing for Alvarado with a 20-7 win over Fort Worth Western Hills before a 7-5 loss to Brewer's JV.

Baylee Marr was on fire during tournament play as she hit .692 with seven RBIs and 12 runs with six walks.

"Baylee Marr is a junior and a very dynamic player," Vinyard said. "Offensively, she is a switch hitter and we are looking to her to be our leadoff. She is such a versatile hitter and great on the bases. Defensively, she can play anywhere you put her. She's got a great glove and an arm to complement it."

Tenzly Martin was also solid with a .615 average with nine runs and eight RBIs while Summer Sullivan hit .588 with six RBIs and 11 runs.

"Tenzly Martin is a threat behind the plate and at the plate," Vinyard said. "Knowing your pitcher has complete confidence in their catcher is a great feeling. Tenzly is a brick wall and keeps runners honest on the bases with her arm. At the plate, she is a kid we look to produce runs. She is a gap-to-gap hitter that pitchers fear pitching to."

Going into the season, Vinyard said she likes what she has with Alvarado's battery of freshman pitcher Aubree Nalley and Martin, a sophomore, at catcher, along with assistant coach Allie Prewitt — an all-state player for Grandview — calling pitches.

"We have a very strong battery and are extremely excited to see Aubree Nalley dominate in the circle with Tinzley Martin behind the plate," Vinyard said. "Coach Allie Prewitt, who played collegiate softball, is calling pitches this year. Between Nalley's skill and Coach Prewitt's knowledge of the game, there's lots to look forward to.

"We are excited for Aubree Nalley to join us as a freshman. She has already impressed us with her composure and ability to take command on the mound. She does a great job of keeping the ball low in the zone and challenging hitters. Not only is she dominant in the circle, she also adds a lot of power to our lineup. Aubree is going to do great things for us this year and the years to come."

Nalley got off to a decent start with a 4-2 record as she struck out 25 batters against 15 earned runs allowed in 20.2 innings pitched for a 5.08 ERA.

In addition to Prewitt as a key contributor on the coaching staff, Vinyard said assistant coach Shelby Simmons is also a valuable member of the team.

"We also have Coach Simmons, who also played collegiate softball, working with our outfielders and hitters," Vinyard said. "She has already done a great job of preparing our players and getting them to understand the game on a deeper level. Our girls work unbelievably hard and play with a lot of grit and I think that is what is going to separate us from other teams."

While Vinyard said her team's focus is on daily progression, she expects the Lady Indians to again be a playoff participant.

"Our team goal is to get better on a daily basis and continue to improve and be playing our best ball by the time we hit district," she said. "Our longterm goal is to make the playoffs, which we are fully capable of doing."

After Thursday's 2-0 showing in the Tri-Cities Tournament, Vinyard and the Lady Indians quickly traveled across town to Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center — still in their softball uniforms — to support Lady Indian basketball's area playoff game over Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy, a thrilling 53-51 win for Alvarado to push the Lady Indians into the third round for the first time in school history.

"The girls were so excited to be able to support," Vinyard said. "It couldn't have worked out more perfectly. Our game at Trimble Tech ended and we went straight to Wilkerson-Greines, getting there 10-15 minutes before tipoff. Coach [Erica] Peteet would've done the same thing for us in a heartbeat. We're really trying to build upon that 'One Tribe' Culture."

Alvarado is scheduled to visit Maypearl at 6 p.m. Tuesday.