Archives > McKinney Courier-Gazette > Sports
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
North duo helps push North into semifinals
Juniors Sarah Becker and Tayler Burnside have been softball teammates since they were in the sixth grade, and it has been to McKinney North’s benefit this season. Travis Summers/McKinney Courier-Gazette
By Travis Summers, McKinney Courier-Gazette
When McKinney North head softball coach Dan Sedgwick needed to relay a message to junior right fielder Sarah Becker, he was greeted with an unfortunate fact on his phone cell rolodex.
He discovered after thumbing through his cell that he did not have Becker’s phone number saved. Regardless of that fact, however, Sedgwick knew exactly how to get in touch with Becker.
“I called [North third baseman Tayler Burnside] and told her to tell Sarah because I knew they were with each other,” Sedgwick said. “It’s pretty much a given that those two are going to be hanging out together.”
“We liked each other when we met each other, but once we started to play softball together our friendship grew,” Becker said. “When you’ve been playing with somebody for so long its easy to become really good friends with them.”
As in past season, the duo played together this season and helped the Lady Bulldogs to this week’s regional semifinal series against Waxahachie. So far, it’s been the best season for the two best friends.
“It’s been a lot of fun getting to play on the same team together,” Becker said. “This team does a lot of team bonding, so it’s a lot of fun to be able to do all that with your best friend.”
Becker has developed into one of North’s best hitters, leading the team in batting average, while Burnside’s defense has solidified what was the only question mark for the North infield going into the season.
Sedgwick credits Becker’s success at the plate to her amazing ability to put the bat on the ball.
“Sarah Becker has the best hand-eye coordination,” Sedgwick said. “She’ll make contact with the ball 99 percent of the time she’s up to bat. It’s the best hand-eye coordination I’ve ever seen from a kid. She’s never strikes out. You just know she’s going to make contact when she goes up there.”
While Becker had made opposing pitchers pay this season, Burnside has done the same to opposing hitters. Before the season, five of the six infield positions had a returning starter with all-district honors on their r/sum/s. The one position without an established starter was third base.
“If you look at the other infielders on our team, not only are they veterans, but they’re really good at their position,” Sedgwick said. “I knew at the start of the year that we had this hole at third, and I was just hoping Sarah could fit in with the rest of our infield. She has performed well beyond my expectations this season. She’s done a tremendous job and could not have gotten this far without her.”
Sedgwick will need both players to continue their string of successes when North (26-7-2) plays Waxahachie (27-11) in a three-game series for a spot in the regional finals.
The Lady Indians are lead offensively by Jocelyn Roberts. The senior third baseman finished the regular season as the team’s leader in average (.425), hits (38), home runs (6), RBIs (31) and stolen bases (14).
“She can hit,” Sedgwick said. “I think she got a hit every time she came up in the game that I saw them play. Not only can she hit but she’s a good third baseman. She’s fast and can get around the bases. She can get to the ball in a hurry and she’s got a rocket arm. She’s a good ballplayer.”
The series will begin with a 7:30 p.m. game at McKinney North Thursday, while Game 2 will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Waxahachie Friday. If a third game is needed it will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Coppell.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Uncle RIch wrote on May 15, 2008 3:49 PM:
" Good luck Sarah. Grammy expects big things.... "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
