The Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs ended their season in the first round of the regional tournament finishing 12- 10-1. Coach Tyler Herring is hoping a large group of returners mixed with some new faces will propel the Lady Mustangs a step further into the state tournament. Jaylyn Cagle returns to pitch for BIC. Cagle has been the ace for the last two seasons and does a great job of keeping opposing hitters off-balanced. Seniors Riley Parker and Kendra Towell lead the Lady Mustang offense. Parker returns to third base and the heart of the lineup, and Towell will return to first base when she heals up from a broken foot. Classmates Whitley Hawkins and Katie Fires will roam the outfield for Buffalo Island. Junior catcher Kinsley Hamilton returns to complete the battery with Cagle. Sophomore Emma Kate McCord returns to second base after a good freshman season. Senior Brooke Wattigney and sophomores Anistyn Bryeans, Olivia Duffel, and Scout Lyerly all return looking to expand their roles this season. Freshmen Aubrey Clayton and Haddie Wells are looking to make an immediate impact this season. Wells plays the infield and can help pitch some innings while Clayton is a utility player that can fit in anywhere on the field. Coach Herring is hoping with most of his players in basketball and cheer and Towell’ s injury that the Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs will be in top form late in the season come tournament time. The 2A-3 conference will be tough as usual, but with returning and young talent, the BIC Lady Mustangs should battle near the top and have a good chance of returning to the regional tournament at the end of the year.
The Buffalo Island Central Mustangs are looking to get back to the regional tournament after a 13-9 season last year. Coach Chad Broadway will rely on several returning faces to get the Mustangs back to the postseason. Leading the way is Seth Ibanez who will be a factor on the mound and at the plate. Ibanez will hit in the middle of the lineup and handling the catching duties when not on the mound. He will add some depth to the bullpen with a good fastball and good command. Braxton Matheny will be back at shortstop for BIC and be a key piece in the rotation as well where he was clutch last season as a competitor who lives in the strike zone. Gunner James will once again patrol the outfield and bring a lefty arm to the pitching rotation. James will hit in the middle of the lineup and mix pitches on the mound to keep hitters off balance. Kell Gathright is another Stang that will be key on both sides of the field. Gathright will be at a corner infield position. Add another left handed bat to the lineup, and compete every time he is on the mound. Jaxson Cobb will return to the outfield and hit in the middle of the lineup, while Layne Helton will be in the outfield as well after starting several games late last season. Housten McClelland will help with catching duties and play some first base where he caught on quickly last season. A group of freshmen should make an impact and provide some depth for the Buffalo Island lineup. Wicker Craig, Rylan Hawkins, Tyson Sipes, Noah Ibanez, and Nash Decker all have the ability to step in and help the Mustangs offensively and defensively. Craig, Hawkins, and Ibanez could eat up some innings as well. Kaden Healy is back after missing some time last season due to injury. Healy could be in the mix at first base. Coach Broadway knows the keys for his team to be successful.“ Overall keys to success would be on defense to make the routine play and communicate,” he said.“ Pitching, we need to throw strikes and keep us in ballgames. Offensively, we need to put pressure on the defense and be fearless on the bases.” NEA Sports predicts the BIC Mustangs to be in the mix for a return to the regional tournament at the end of the year.