Hot-hitting catcher propelling Lady Mustangs softball

The Grapevine softball team's offense has been killing it this season, and that is due in no small part to the hitting of Cynthia Haugh.

The Lady Mustangs senior was hitting .583 heading into Tuesday night's game with three home runs and 27 RBI, and coach Steve Bottoms said that Haugh, like many of his players, bring a lot to the table.

“She has a really big bat and brings some leadership from the catcher’s position,” Bottoms said. “She has a lot of experience as well, because she has started every game since she was a freshman. She is one of our offensive leaders in almost every category.”

Grapevine was in third place heading into this week’s games behind Birdville and Lake Dallas, and Bottoms said he has been pleased with what he has seen from his team so far.

“We’re kind of doing what we expected to the teams from Fort Worth,” Bottoms said. “We are kind of trying to move the next level. Last year, we started 1-12, so we weren’t very good.

“We did not have a lot of experience, but we ended up being one run from making the playoffs last year, and we really improved a lot throughout the year. This year, we are trying to go from being just competitive, to being competitive winners.”

Haugh said that she always tries to bring a couple of things to her team that she believes are important for any team to have success.

“I definitely try to have positive energy and provide leadership,” Haugh said. “I don’t want to ever be negative.”

Haugh said that when she looks at this year’s team, she feels optimistic that it can achieve great things with hard work and dedication.

“I feel really good about things,” Haugh said. “We are in a new district, and right now, we are ranked third, so if we can continue that, we’re going to go to the playoffs.”

To have a good run into the postseason, Haugh said it will take a couple of things.

“We’re going to have to keep up our positive energy with each other and just keep hitting the ball,” Haugh said.

Bottoms said he has been impressed with Haugh since she started at Grapevine, but added that Haugh is not a prima donna.

“I am not going to jinx her or anything, but she may end up being the best hitter to ever come from Grapevine,” Bottoms said. “That being said, she can’t do it without her teammates, and she is definitely a good teammate.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Hot-hitting catcher propelling Lady Mustangs softball."