The Buffalo Island Central Mustangs finished last season with a 13-8 record , and finished 10-2 in the 2A-3 conference . This earned them a trip to the regional tournament , and then the state tournament where they would fall to eventual state champion , Woodlawn . With a wealth of experience back , Coach Chad Broadway hopes to lead the Mustangs deeper into the postseason . Leading the way for BIC is senior Nick Patterson . The All-State pitcher also hit . 400 and drove in over 20 runs in the middle of the Mustang order . Patterson will be the number one in the rotation where he had over 100 strikeouts and a 2.00 ERA last season . “ We always have a chance to win when Nick is on the mound ,” Coach Broadway said . Brayden Mullis is another player that will pitch and be a factor in the lineup . Mullis hit in the middle of the lineup last season and did a good job in the outfield . The senior could see a lot of innings on the mound , where he has improved and developed adding a breaking ball to his arsenal . Kell Gathright was a big piece of the BIC rotation a year ago and could be looked at again in big games if he continues to work hard and throw strikes . Gunner James saw limited innings last season , but could see more time on the mound as the lefty brings a different look to hitters . Seth Ibanez will do most of the catching for his battery mates , but could be used to eat up some innings with good control . The sophomore catcher did a good job last year , and could hit anywhere in the top half of the batting order if he continues to progress at the plate . Hank Hurst will play second and hit at the top of the order . Hurst is a competitor and does a great job getting on base and scoring runs . Last year , Hurst was the team leader in runs scored and stolen bases . Sophomore Jaxson Cobb returns after a solid freshman year . Cobb hits the ball hard at the DH position and could see some time in the outfield . Max McCord will also be in the outfield this spring , where he made several plays last season . McCord also proved to be clutch at the plate , coming up with big hits in key situations for the Mustangs . Braxton Matheny and Houston McClelland are two freshmen who have a chance to see the field for Buffalo Island , along with Layne Helton , Kaden Healey , Daytona LeGault , and Jax Decker . Coach Broadway knows what his team has to do to continue the success the Mustangs have had in recent years . “ Our keys to success are we have to compete in the strike zone and end at bats when we have the chance to do so . We need to make the routine plays and , offensively , we need to score runs . I like what we are doing on the base paths , and I hope it continues this season .” Look for BIC to be battling at the top of the 2A-3 again and making a run in the postseason .
Coach Tyler Herring and the Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs are looking to a young and somewhat inexperienced group to improve on last year ’ s 14-11 record . The Lady Mustangs earned a trip to the regional tournament and are looking to get back to the postseason . “ Our key to success this year will be scoring runs ,” Coach Herring said . “ We will be a young and inexperienced team that will rely on players who are not used to being everyday starters to not only hold down a position each day , but will also be expected to perform at a very high level in that position . This year ' s team will be under more pressure than in years past .” Two seniors will lead the way for BIC . Claire Jackson and Hallee Wells will be key pieces up the middle for the Mustang defense . Jackson will move to shortstop as a solid defender and hit toward the top of the lineup where she batted . 433 and stole 23 bases last year . Wells patrols center field and hits in the heart of the lineup . She recorded a . 450 batting average and stole 17 bases herself . As a team , the Lady Mustangs are aggressive on the base paths , stealing 127 bases as a team a year ago . Defensively , at the corners , return two great defenders . Riley Parker will return at third base and Kendra Towell will be back at first base . Parker and Towell only committed three errors each last season , and they will hit in the heart of the lineup looking to drive in runs . Sophomores Jaylyn Cagle and Kinsley Hamilton return as the battery . Cagle is a competitor in the circle and keeps hitters off balance . She led the team in hitting last year with a . 450 average and 22 stolen bases . Hamilton compliments her well behind the plate as a strong defensive catcher . Coach Herring says there will be several returners and freshmen who will compete for time in the outfield and at second base . With some new faces having to expand their roles , it may take some games for the Lady Mustangs to get comfortable , but look for talent to carry them and battle in the tough 2A-3 Conference and be in the regional tournament again with a chance to go to state .