Monique Johnson is one of the key returners who will try and help the Lady Lobo softball team take the next step into the playoffs this season. Lehman finished one win away from qualifying for postseason play last year. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by MARK CAUL
After they came within a game of securing the school’s first playoff berth in softball in 2010, the Lehman Lady Lobos are aiming to build on their most successful season to date.
Lehman has had a steady climb over the past few years as they have gone from a team that failed to win a single game two years ago to a team that finished 21-11, upset state-ranked Lockhart on the road and nearly toppled arch-rival Hays for the first time.
In addition, Nicole Herrera’s squad entered the final night of the campaign with a winner-take-all game against San Marcos for the final playoff berth, but unfortunately weren’t able to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities and dropped a 1-0 decision which eliminated them from contention.
Although they fell a bit short of realizing their postseason dreams, the Lady Lobos were able to take a lot of positive things out of the season.
Lehman went on the road and halted a Lockhart home winning streak that had spanned three consecutive seasons. The most surprising thing about the stunning win over the state-ranked Lady Lions was that it happened only a few days after losing to Hays, in a game in which they carried an 8-0 lead into the fourth inning.
Their 21 wins in 2010 easily shattered the school record in softball and included second place finishes at both the AISD and Taylor Invitational tournaments.
Although Herrera is excited about the great nucleus of players returning to her program, she laments the loss of two important veterans that graduated last May who helped build the positive momentum of Lehman softball over their four seasons as Lobos.
Third baseman Liz Valderaz, who was a three-year starter and left fielder/pitcher Feliciana Torres have both graduated and are now playing college ball at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.
Valderaz finished her career among the leaders in most of the school’s offensive categories. Torres currently holds the school record in strikeouts and innings pitched.
Among the Lehman returnees this season are senior outfielder Monique Johnson, junior shortstop Cydney Ervin and first baseman KeKe Holmes, who were all key contributors on this year’s squad.
Johnson, a first-team all district selection last season, batted .386 in 2010 and was the Lady Lobos best defensive player. She only committed four errors last season as Lehman’s starting center fielder.
The speedy Ervin has the best range in the district at shortstop and remains one of the Lobos primary threats on the base paths.
Holmes, who hit a team-leading four home runs last season, will bat clean-up and play first base for Lehman in her junior season.
Lehman will be in one of the area’s toughest districts with Smithson Valley, Canyon, Lockhart and Hays all vying for the district championship.
Canyon won the Class 4A state title in 2009 and went to state in 2010, and Smithson Valley was the Class 5A state champion in 2009.
After taking part in the Victoria St. Joseph’s Tournament, the Lady Lobos will open district play next Tuesday in Lockhart.
