In her seventh year coaching at Stockdale, head coach Amanda Hockett thinks her winning formula can be attributed to this year's slogan; new year, new look, new attitude.
"They're taking it all the way with that," said Hockkett who's team record is 12-4 (8-0 SWYL). "Busting their butt at practice and doing extra conditioning."
This season no one has embodied that mindset more than senior pitcher McKenna Valencia. "(It's) a different mindset practicing wise. I try harder in practice," she said.
She's been pitching at Stockdale for four years but has become an ace this season (8-2, 1.85 era) thanks to what she calls her will to win.
But where McKenna truly stands out is at the plate. In the vaunted SWYL she currently leads all hitters with an incredible batting average of .510
"They're scared of McKenna to throw to her in a sense," said Hockett. In the mustangs last game against Liberty the Patriots intentionally walked her. "It was a compliment knowing that they had respected me enough as a hitter to do that," said Valencia.
One look at her taking hits in practice and the Patriots' decision starts to make sense. "She wants to go out on a high note and she wants to add another league banner to our outfield fence and be a part of something," said Hockett.
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