By Greg Ford

Sports Editor

sports@wylienews.com

It’s been something of a roller-coaster ride this preseason for the Lady Pirates.

There are times when they perform exceptionally, head coach Heather Damron said, and there are others when Wylie makes mistakes it shouldn’t.

The Maroon and White will try to emphasize the former and reduce or eliminate the latter this week, when it starts District 13-4A play. That commenced Tuesday with a 12-2 loss to Lovejoy and continues Friday at home versus crosstown foe Wylie East.

The Lady Pirates then play 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at home against Greenville.

This past weekend, the Lady Pirates hosted and participated in the Tana Jo Thomason Tournament, where they beat the likes of Irving Nimitz (11-0), Richland (6-5), Rowlett (6-0), Mesquite Poteet (11-2) and North Mesquite (16-1). They also lost 9-3 to Azle, a contest in which Emily Aldous hit a double.

Wylie showcased many of its strengths in the tourney, which included good defense, along with solid hitting and pitching. However, some weaknesses were also exposed.

“We’re just not being consistent against the same type of pitching,” Damron said.

Strong hitting was on display against North Mesquite, as the Lady Pirates powered out 15 hits, which included a double and a home run by Serena Saldivar and a pair of doubles from Megan Slocum and Tristen Castaneda.

Ashlyn Pair also had a triple in the contest, and Brooke Dumas was the winning pitcher.

Aldous was the winning pitcher against Richland, a contest in which Dumas tripled, one of eight hits produced by Wylie’s bats.

Meagan Richardson got the win against Poteet, while Saldivar and Dumas each doubled and Castanada added a triple.

Wylie East

The Lady Raiders opened the District 13-4A season Tuesday at home, falling 16-11 to Denison, and will play 7 p.m. Friday at Wylie. District play resumes 7 p.m. Monday at Sherman.