The Buffalo Island Central Lady Mustangs finished last season in the first round of regionals with a record of 12-9. With seven returning starters back for new head coach Andrew McFarlin and the Lady Stangs, expectations remain high in Buffalo Island.“ I have been around these players for a couple years now watching from the bleachers,” Coach McFarlin said.“ This is my first year to coach them. I am really excited to see where this year takes us.” Jalyn Cagle returns to lead BIC in the circle and at the plate. Cagle pitched 79 innings posting a record of 10-6 with 90 strikeouts. She was more about control than velocity keeping batters off balance which goes a long way in 2A according to Coach McFarlin. At the plate, she hit. 661 with 41 hits to only three strikeouts posting a gaudy. 741 on-base percentage. Her battery mate, Kinsley Hamilton had an average of. 362 while garnering most of the duties behind the plate. Aubrey Clayton will roam centerfield. Last season Clayton hit. 446 with an. 575 on-base percentage. Emma Kate McCord started on the infield hitting. 368 and an OBP of. 427, while Olivia Duffel hit. 312 with an. 522 OBP playing in the outfield. Scout Lyerly hit. 273 with a. 418 OBP while playing a utility role for Buffalo Island. Haddie Wells played shortstop and was the number two pitcher backing up Cagle. Wells hit. 231 and really grew as a pitcher as a freshman, pitching 34 innings with a record of 2 wins and 3 losses with 26 strikeouts. Hadli O ' Guinn and Chandler Gathright are looking to play some impactful innings after taking a few years off, and Sierra Watts is a transfer coming from Manila that has played impactful innings at her previous school. Emma Kate Russell is just getting healthy looking to add some depth to the rotation along with six upcoming freshmen that could potentially see some innings.“ We are looking to compete at a high level,” McFarlin added.“ If we compete, we will find ourselves making a run in the post season. Putting the ball in play, making routine plays and getting on base are our main concerns. If we can do those three things, it will be a successful year.” Look for the BIC Lady Mustangs to compete at the top of the 2A-3 conference, battle in the brutal 2A-2 regional, and be a tough out in the postseason.
The Buffalo Island Central Mustangs will look to have a rebound season after finishing with a losing record and placing sixth the 2A-3 last season. The Mustangs managed to garner a win over Cross County that bumped them into the regional tournament before falling to the eventual state runner-up Cedar Ridge. After several seasons at BIC, Chad Broadway took a job at Walnut Ridge. For the third time in his career, Bill Taylor will put on a Mustangs cap as he was signed last summer to lead the Ponies.“ We ' ve had a really good offseason,” told Taylor.“ Kids have really been dedicated and got a lot of work done. There are nine starters coming back. I got 10 right now that I can move around, but we ' re still trying to figure everything out. We will have to be the kind of team that gears for the district tournament. As much as I don ' t like a district tournament, we ' re going to have to, that ' s what we ' re going to have to try to be ready for.” The biggest positive that the Mustangs have going for them is returning four year starter Seth Ibanez. Ibanez returns as one of the top players in the entire league.“ Seth Ibanez is our is our captain, and he is everything that a coach would want. He’ s our catcher, pitcher, leadoff man, and runs our team. I ' ve made it clear to the squad that if Seth says it, you better do it, then I ' ll deal with him if it ' s wrong. I have that much trust in him as a leader.” In addition to Ibanez, Jackson Cobb returns to man left field and will bat in the heart of the order. The veteran Cobb has plus power and will look to drive home some runs. One of the table setters will be second baseman Houston McClellan. Look for McClellan to be asked to play multiple positions including the outfield. Layne Helton is another player that Coach Taylor will look to be a contributor in the lineup. Wicker Craig will play shortstop and Gunner James will handle center field duties. While the Mustangs do not have a proven ace, Coach Taylor believes that he has depth.“ We have some pitching depth, but we don ' t have anybody who ' s just going to go out there and dominate the ballgame.” James is left handed and has experience on the mound. When he has control of his pitches he can be a tough guy to hit for BIC. Slade Oxner transferred in from a private school at Marianna. He is the team’ s hardest thrower. He’ s a big right hander that currently lacks command but Coach Taylor hopes to work out the kinks.“ The pitching depth comes from Kell Gathright, Craig and Ibanez. I mean, those are five guys that can pitch for us. I don ' t think any of them are seven inning guys just yet.” Look for the Mustangs to finish near the top of the conference, potentially garner a win at regionals and return to the state tournament.