By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
Springtown and Mineral Wells are both in the UIL softball regional semifinals, but both towns were hit by a tornado days before the second round.
The two towns, which are separated by 35 miles, suffered significant damage when tornadoes hit days apart.
An EF-1 tornado hit Springtown on Saturday April 25 while an EF-3 tornado touched down in Mineral Wells on Tuesday April 28.
No one from either softball programs were affected by the storm – aside from some property damage. However, a few players from Mineral Wells did have to stay with others that Tuesday night.
Mineral Wells was on campus taking batting practice when the alarms sounded. Coach Ryan Starnes and his players raced inside the gym and had to shelter under the bleachers.
“The tornado touched down just east of the school,” said Starnes, in his 3rd year with the Rams. “At that point, the kids don’t have their phones and we don’t know what’s going on. We were under the bleachers for about 45 minutes.”
Less than 24 hours, the Rams had to begin their 3-game series in the area round against Decatur.
“With all the uncertainty that Tuesday night and all the damage that was done, we brought the group together Wednesday morning and asked if they wanted to play Game 1 that night. Everyone said they wanted to play and get their minds off this,” Starnes said.
The Rams (25-6) beat the Eagles 5-2 in Game 1 and then completed the sweep 12-2 in Game 2. The program advanced to the third round for the first time since 2015.
“Part of it was to play for this community in that moment,” Starnes said. “Our community took a big hit. I felt like our kids wore their jerseys with pride and went out to represent the community.”
In two games, freshman pitcher Rylan Tarver threw 13 innings, allowed 2 earned runs and struck out 17 batters.
Mineral Wells opens the Class 4A D1 regional semifinals against Dumas (34-2-1) on Thursday night in Lubbock with a doubleheader coming on Friday.
Meanwhile in the other 4A D1 Region 1 Semifinal, Springtown (23-10) takes on Canyon West Plains (25-11) in Abilene. Game 1 is Thursday night with a doubleheader on Friday.
The Porcupines swept Big Spring in the area round, 3-1 and 13-2. They clinched a spot in the third round for the second straight season.
Like some Mineral Wells players, only a few in the Springtown program had property damage.
However, the challenge Springtown faced was the school being closed for three days. The tornado hit late that Saturday night and school was shut down the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Our biggest challenge was the routine for our girls getting demolished,” head coach Carey Robertson said. “We were closed for three days so our kids did a great job of preparing and staying focused on the games ahead and not so much on the local devastation. Our kids are always proud to represent Springtown.”
Against Big Spring, senior pitcher Kylee Spray allowed 2 earned runs in 14 innings and struck out 31 – including 17 in the Game 2 clincher.
“Kylee is our only senior and she was exceptionally good in both games,” Robertson said. “We decided to throw her again in Game 2 because they only had 2 hits on her and both by the same player. She was so dominant we felt like they were going to have to show us they could hit her consistently before bringing anyone else in. She’s been really good all year.”
Robertson said he’s been impressed by the level of maturity from his players the past two years while facing off-the-field adversity.
Last year, the team and community was hit hard when one of the players, Kaylee Ratliff passed away during the season.
Springtown finished 22-11 after falling in the regional semifinals against Andrews.
“While we feel terrible for those in the community who suffered damage and loss in the tornado, it doesn’t compare to the loss of Kaylee. Our kids have shown that they are resilient and tough,” Robertson said. “I continue to be proud of being a part of this team.”
