When Dion Walker became the new Anzar High softball coach, he knew exactly what he was getting into.
“This year is basically a learning year,” said Walker, a Hollister resident. “We’re basically starting from scratch. I’m getting the girls to hopefully understand what we’re trying to do here as a program. If I can get them on board, that’s a big step.”
Despite the team’s youth—the Hawks have just one senior, Lynette Weckerle—Walker said he’s been pleased with the team’s overall makeup and talent level. Granted, what the team lacks in overall experience—Walker said half the team had never played softball before this year—it has made up for by improving with each passing week.
The Hawks entered the week with a 2-4 overall and 1-2 Coastal Trail League record. They’re chasing perennial league champion Trinity Christian of Monterey, and Walker is confident the team can compete—if not beat—Trinity this season.
Trinity whipped Anzar 24-10 on March 26, and the teams play again on May 7.
“My goal this year is to beat Trinity, and I believe we can,” Walker said. “We can play with them, and it’s a matter of self-confidence and not making mental mistakes.”
Walker said he’s already talked to Weckerle and sophomore Taylor Vollin—the team’s only pitcher—about stepping up into a vital leadership role.
“I think if one or both of them becomes the leader of the team, the rest of the girls will fall in line,” Walker said. “I know from the beginning of the season to now, the girls have improved 10-fold. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season goes because they’re clicking as a team. I think when someone does take charge, this team will be an explosive team. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.”
Vollin has been a huge boost to the squad, providing Anzar with a solid option in the circle. Walker’s goal is to develop another pitcher within the next year so Vollin can double as a position player.
“Taylor is just a great all-around player, and I wish I had another pitcher so she could take a break and play the field,” Walker said. “Her and Lynette can play any position and excel at it. Hopefully in the off-season I can work with a couple of girls to get them to start pitching.”
In addition to Weckerle and Vollin, Walker said he’s also been impressed with the play of first baseman Nadine Machado, catcher Carley Soliz, center fielder/first baseman Juliana Laycock, shortstop Valerie Armas and designated hitter Isabella Anastasi.
Like all inexperienced teams, the Hawks have to improve not just in the physical aspects of the game, but the mental one as well. Walker points to the Trinity loss as a prime example of his team not displaying mental toughness.
“We scored nine runs in the first inning, and the girls got kind of a little cocky,” Walker said. “When Trinity came up to bat, they scored eight runs and that took the wind out of us. We kind of fell apart at that point and started making mental mistakes. Once we get down, it’s hard to get them back up. I’ve been trying to tell them win or lose, we have to play the seven innings with our head held high. Once the team gets their confidence up, they’ll be hard to beat.”
Despite the team’s inexperience, Walker said he has reasons for optimism. It begins with Weckerle, who has been one of the school’s multi-sport standout athletes ever since her freshman year.
“Lynette is overall just a great athlete,” he said. “She knows the game as well as anybody. She and the rest of the girls have come to play, and I think they’ve been underestimated by a lot of people. We’ve got talent here, and I just have to bring it out of every player.”
