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VYPE 2021 Softball Preview: Public School #8 Atascocita
Over the recent years, Atascocita has always been in the mix. Ashley Boyd enters year seven as the head coach of this squad, which won state just a few years ago. It was an early exit from the playoffs in 2019 for Atascocita, which they are ready to avenge.
Katie Cimusz (Texas) and Mikayla Garza (Galveston College) have been the constants on this team, being four-year starters and being freshmen on the state title team. Garza was 8-3 in the circle a year ago with a 1.39 ERA, while Cimusz crushed it at the plate hitting .577 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs. But they are not it.
Kelsie Kelso, a UNLV-commit, hit .510 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs, while Kasidi Pickering was en route to a breakout season in 2020, hitting .467 at the plate as a freshman. Boyd expects Pickering to have a monster sophomore season for the Eagles. Another player to watch is Caylee Spangle, who is committed to Concordia. Boyd knows they will have to fill some holes left from the Class of 2020, while also playing solid defense. Atascocita has the pieces to make a run, especially with the offensive firepower they possess.
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VYPE 2021 Softball Preview: The Eagle Leader
KATIE CIMUSZ KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE PRESSURE.
"I remember freshman year coming in, I was nervous," she said. "I had to really step it up. Now that I am a senior it's like, wow, I've grown so much since then. I've become more confident and more focused on the game. I think that benefited me."
Her freshman campaign would be memorable… and historic.
Atascocita finished the season 35-7 overall and defeated New Braunfels Canyon for the Class 6A State Championship – the first in program history – and Cimusz played a monster role. The freshman averaged a third-best .415 at the plate and then led the Eagles with 48 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 11 home runs.
"I have my medal still hanging up in my room, so I see it every day," Cimusz said. "It's so crazy to think that that was four years ago. I feel like I really built off of that and became such a big person from it. And just to see the impact on the community.
"It was great to see everybody come together for one big goal and it meant a lot to a lot of people."
The next unforgettable moment for Cimusz would come on September 9, 2019. That was the day Cimusz verbally committed to the Texas Longhorns.
"It's just such a big community that they have there and to be a part of that is so amazing," Cimusz said. "It's really humbling that my family and friends are always there for me. But I know there is always someone better than me that I have to compete with to get that spot. It's just an amazing program and I'm so excited to be there."
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