Dutch softball has fun as team prepares for Barbers Hill in round 3 – Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND — The Nederland softball team faces Barbers Hill in the third round of the 5A playoffs on Thursday in a single-elimination game.

The game begins at 6:30 p.m. at Lamar University.

The Bulldogs enter the competition with wins over Angleton and Lamar Consolidated in the first two rounds of the 2024 state playoffs.

The Netherlands lost the first game to Angleton 12-5, but responded with 1-0 and 6-5 wins to advance. The team earned a 6-2 victory in Game 3 against Lamar Consolidated this weekend.

Barbers Hill is coming off a dominant 16-0 victory over Fulshear.

The Eagles are 32-4-2 this season and have beaten the Netherlands 6-0 and 3-0 in previous games.

Netherlands head coach Will Mallette said his team was having as much fun as he’s seen in his time with the program.

“There has been consistent growth throughout the season,” he said. “We competed in some very difficult tournaments at the beginning. We’re still below .500, but that doesn’t show the growth and quality of the girls’ play. We have a lot of young players who are hungry. We keep pushing and prodding them, and they keep responding.

Mallette praised his team for adapting and overcoming adversity.

“The lineup we had at the start of the season has nothing to do with the one we have now,” he said with a laugh. “It’s completely different. We have three freshmen and four sophomores. It has been nice to see them go through the difficulties and understand them. This has been one of the most fun seasons I can remember as a coach.

The coach said senior Laney Thompson, who plays third base, is the emotional leader of the team.

“She sets the tone for the team and has been a full-time starter since her sophomore year,” he said. “She’s super consistent and works really hard.”

Mallette also said junior outfielder Addison Gillard is playing well while adopting a leadership mentality.

“She came from JV last year to help with leadership there and has been a great leader for us,” the coach said. “She brings a lot of energy.”

Second-year wide receiver Reese Robbins plays an important role in the team’s playoff run.

In Saturday’s Game 3 win, she launched two home runs. The first tied the game at 2-2, and the second gave the Bulldogs the lead.

Mallette said freshman pitcher Morgan Barron was a pleasant surprise for the Bulldogs.

“She was a game changer for us,” he said. “As the season progressed, we were able to put more on his shoulders. I don’t think she knows how good she’s going to be. I can’t even imagine how good she will be in three years.