By Steve Lee

The Wiregrass Ranch softball team has even its record three times this season, but has yet to get above the .500 mark. Even more challenging for the Bulls is overcoming the loss of a former teammate and the coach’s daughter, who transferred to Cypress Creek.

Hailey Vazquez, a standout pitcher in her second season with the Coyotes, played two seasons for Wiregrass Ranch, a team coached by her father, Yamani Vazquez.

“He’s always pushed me to be the best player I can be,” said Hailey, who enjoys pitching for Cypress Creek but misses playing ball for her father.

Hailey’s parents and step-parents attend many of Hailey’s games. Yamani remarried Stephanie, and Hailey’s mother Nicole is remarried to Scott Nonnemaker.

“We’re all supportive of her,” Yamani said. “I’m her No. 1 fan.”

“They’re all cheering for me. I love it,” added Hailey, who has signed with Ave Maria University in southwest Florida.

The Coyotes won nine of their first 11 games with Hailey leading the way. She had a 7-1 record with a stellar 0.47 earned run average and 85 strikeouts with just four walks.

For Wiregrass Ranch, it’s more about hitting than pitching. Five players are batting .400 or better.

“That’s what we’ve been looking for, the bats to stay hot,” Yamani said.

The top hitter is Kylee Johnson, who through 18 games had a .463 average with 27 runs scored and 18 RBIs. The other .400 hitters include Brianna Baer (.400, 19 RBIs), Isabella Amendolaro (.442, 19 runs), Elise Eason (.413, 16 RBIs) and Stephanie Daly (.414).