The Denton Guyer softball team has enjoyed its most successful season in school history this year, and Coach Keith Medford said a lot of things really came together for the Wildcats at the right time.
With two college commitments and more than 30 victories heading into the regional finals in late May, the 4-18 record Guyer boasted in its inaugural season four years ago seems but a distant and fading memory.
Medford said he could not have asked for more from his team this season, and said his players have given it everything they have.
“I think it has just been a fantastic ride,” Medford said. “These kids have just worked their tails off early on in the year, and it’s paying off for them. That’s very rewarding to see as a coach.”
Medford said he believes that a number of factors have contributed to the success Guyer has had this season.
“I think that our players have really just bought into the team concept and have played for each other,” Medford said. “I think that whenever you get kind of dynamic, with a senior-led group, I think there are a lot of things you can accomplish.”
The Wildcats wrapped up district competition with a perfect 14-0 record and were ranked third in the state as of the May 24 poll published by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
Guyer finished up the regular season with a 25-5-2 record.
With the football team advancing five rounds in the post-season, the volleyball team going three rounds deep, the girls and boys soccer teams advancing multiple rounds in the playoffs and the girls basketball team qualifying for post-season play, it is evident that Guyer is emerging as a force in many sports.
Medford said, while his team is certainly happy for the other programs at Guyer and respect what they have accomplished, the softball team does not really feel any added pressure to step up and tends to concentrate on itself.
“There is no pressure on us at all,” Medford said. “We are who we are. We are happy about other sports that have success, but we’ve always done our own thing and try to focus on what we do.
“It is fun to have other teams that are successful, though, because that gives our kids a little more of a goal to try to do the same.”
Outfielder Kayla Mellinger, 17, of Denton, said she believes the team has had such a strong season for two reasons in particular.
“[It is] the ability for our teammates to pick us up when we’re down, and our coaches pushing us to our full potential,” Miyata said.
Utility player Kylie Miyata, 15, of Lantana, said being a part of this team this season has been very special for her.
“This year has been really great,” Miyata said. “I feel so lucky to be a part of this team as a freshman, and I can’t wait for the upcoming years.”
Medford said he believes that four players in particular need to get some recognition for the great strides the team has made, as success begins at the top.
“This is the most successful season that we have ever had, and that is a direct result of our senior leadership,” Medford said. “Kylee Crosek is our pitcher, Lindsay Vochoska is at first base, Lindsay Mayes is in center field, and Jackie Ramirez is our utility player. Those four kids have been tremendous on and off the field. They have laid a great foundation.”
Crosek has committed to Southern Arkansas, and Vochoska is headed to Odessa College in the fall.
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