The Llano High School softball team begins the 2025 season with new faces in the dugout and in the circle.
Head coach Tim Hulon and assistant coach Claire Head are in their first season at the helm of the program, while Jayme Duroy enters as the team's pitcher for the first time. Duroy was at first base a season ago.
Two constants remain – junior catcher Emilie Clopton and second baseman Lyndi Landers. Other contributors from last season include senior Morgan Williamson and juniors Andrea Aviles and Madison Whittenberg.
Hulon said Clopton being behind the plate is invalu- able.
'I think that's real important,' he said. 'Emilie has been there and done that. It's a new pitcher. We're asking kids to take on roles and be main role players when they didn't have to before.'
Landers' ability to make plays and keep base runners to a minimum also is important, the coach said.
'She's really the only one returning who had true onfield playing experience,' he said. 'She's probably our best communicator. Her and Jayme will have huge roles.'
During the scrimmage against Marble Falls February 8, the Lady Mustangs plated a run. But Llano forced them to strand another. At the top of the next inning, Duroy led off with a triple. That got the bats and runs going.
The result was a 4-3 victory. All three Marble Falls runs were earned.
'Jayme is going to be one of our best hitters as well,' Hulon said. 'Her confidence is slowly getting better and better.'
All four Llano runs came on four hits. Clopton had 2 RBI, Landers had two stolen bases.
The coach said there's plenty to like about this team.
'I liked our energy, and we talked about that a lot,' he said. 'I don't like the up and down energy. I thought our defense played better as well as our pitching. I thought for the most part, we swung the bat. Some of our approaches at the plate were better. We are seeing more pitches at the plate. I thought we did a better job looking at pitches in a situation and giving ourselves a chance.'
The Lady Jackets are the defending District 5-3A champions and finished as the district runners-up in 2023. In the last four years, the program has won 97 games and set several program records.
This year's team is showing the same traits for success, Hutlon said.
'You have to be resilient if you're going to be special at it,' he said. 'How we respond is usually how we'll be. I'm proud of the work they put in and the trust in me and work for me. I think it's going to be a fun and exciting year.'
Llano is at the Ingram Tom Moore Tournament Thursday-Saturday, February 13-15 and welcomes Comanche Tuesday, February 18, with the varsity playing at 5:30 p.m. and the junior varsity at 7:30 p.m.
