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Atascocita downs Kingwood 5-2 to split season series, Pickering, Kelso homer
HOUSTON - Ashley Boyd will admit that her team is different now than it was just a few weeks ago when it first Kingwood.
Now, the Atascocita coach sees her team not trying to play "hero" at the plate but instead "pass the bat to the next person."
"That's what we were missing the first half of the year," Boyd said following a 5-2 victory over rival Kingwood on Tuesday night. "Now, they are working as a cohesive unit versus just being nine or 10 people playing on the field."
Atascocita (17-8, 6-2 in District 21-6A play) has won six-straight games and seven of their last eight outings after suffering back-to-back district losses to Kingwood and Summer Creek in early March.
What was big for the Eagles on Tuesday was the longball - a pair of two-run shots from UNLV-signee Kelsie Kelso and Oklahoma-commit Kasidi Pickering - which hasn't been the calling card of this team in 2022 as that was just their 29th and 30th of the year so far.
"We had two clutch ones today," Boyd said. "We really work on driving the ball and hitting on a line. They did a great job, and we got a little extra carry on them tonight."
🥎 VYPE Highlight 🥎
Nothing better than a RIVALRY ... and @AHS_Softball_ vs @KHSSoftball delivered! We got Ks, dingers & defensive gems from the Eagles' 5-2 win! #txhssoftball (@HumbleISD @PickeringKasidi @Kelsiekelso07 @maryymart2 @HumbleISD_AHS @TXPrepSoftball @KPRC2RandyMc) pic.twitter.com/HXTpHpeHw3
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) April 6, 2022
The other run was driven in by freshman Zoe Bridges with an RBI double in the second inning. She finished 1 for 3 and an RBI.
Atascocita got a solid start from sophomore Vanessa Valdez, who gave up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts in five innings of work. Pickering came in to close out the game with two innings of work and a strikeout - it was her first pitching performance of the season.
"I know I could pitch with a lead and my defense is solid behind me," Pickering said. "I knew I had to get the win for Vanessa."
VYPE Postgame: @AHS_Softball_ Junior @PickeringKasidi talks after the game. Hit a 2-run home run and closed out the game in the circle for the Eagles. #txhssoftball @TXPrepSoftball @HumbleISD_AHS @HumbleISD @Kelsiekelso07 @raeganjennings @makenziebohann1 pic.twitter.com/P5gp902TEX
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) April 6, 2022
Kingwood (20-6, 7-1) was handed its first district loss of the season on Tuesday night.
Senior Louisiana Tech-signee Mary Martinez pitched a complete game for the Mustangs giving up the five runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. Martinez also went 2 for 3 at the dish with an RBI. Jordan Iverson had the other RBI for Kingwood in the sixth inning and finished 2 for 3 at the plate.
"I feel like every time we play them it is the same in that both teams are trying as hard as they can to win, it's a huge rivalry," Kingwood coach Lauren Hendrix said. "It's going to be a nailbiter competition, it's going to be a great game for the community to come watch. This time, it just had a different ending."
Despite the loss, Hendrix and her Mustangs remain atop the district with just a handful of games remaining on the district slate and North Shore coming up on Friday.
"I feel like this is the best team we've had in a while," Hendrix said. "We have great senior leadership. We have five seniors who are all going to play in college. I think that's huge. The leadership they display is second to none. Then, we have a great freshmen group. We are solid all the way through with every single class."
For Atascocita, they will be back in action on Friday at home to take on Summer Creek - the only other team to have beaten them in district play this season - looking to avenge that early season loss.
"We're more of a team and we're playing with one goal," Pickering of the difference now from earlier in the year. "Overall, this was a good win to go into Summer Creek on Friday."
VYPE Postgame: @AHS_Softball_ head coach Ashley Boyd talks about the 5-2 victory. (@Kelsiekelso07 @PickeringKasidi @HumbleISD_AHS @HumbleISD @TXPrepSoftball @raeganjennings @makenziebohann1) #txhssoftball pic.twitter.com/ZiBLG87d5h
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) April 6, 2022
RECRUITING: Atascocita's Pickering picks National Champ Oklahoma as college home
HOUSTON - Since Kasidi Pickering was four years old she has put the work in on the softball diamond.
On Friday, that work paid off as the Atascocita junior verbally committed to defending National Champion Oklahoma to continue her softball career.
"I'm excited I want to win so I know I will have the opportunity to do it," Pickering said. "The home feeling on campus and everything about the program and the people [is what sold me]."
Atascocita coach Ashley Boyd added: "[Kasidi] is an unbelievably gifted player with an insane softball IQ and worth ethic. Anytime we have an athlete commit to play and further their education, it's huge. To have a player commit to the top team in the country is incredibly exciting and a testament to how hard she has worked to get herself to this point. I know the rest of our program is excited for her and as a coaching staff, we couldn't be more proud of her."
Boomer sooner
I would like to thank all hotshots coaches and players I've played with who have gotten me to where I am today. Happily like to announce my commitment to the University of Oklahoma to continue my softball career and education.♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/qUytKDN4rk
— Kasidi Pickering (@PickeringKasidi) September 24, 2021
According to Extra Innings Softball, Pickering is the No. 4 overall player in the country in the Class of 2023 and the No. 2 outfielder in the country.
Pickering is coming off a breakout sophomore season for the Lady Eagles.
The 2023 prospect finished the season being named the District 21-6A MVP after hitting .500 in 102 plate appearances with 10 home runs, eight doubles and five triples with 27 RBIs. Pickering also had 10 stolen bases and was 2-0 in five appearances in the circle with a 1.58 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
As Pickering took the time to look forward to her collegiate future on Friday, it also allowed her time to reflect on all the people who have gotten her to this point.
"[I want to thank] every person in the Hotshots organization and my parents for the opportunity to be where I am," Pickering, whose favorite softball memory is winning PGF three times and any memory with her teammates, said.
Another exciting detail in picking Oklahoma, which has won five National Championships and made 14 Women's College World Series appearances, is that by the time she steps on campus as a Sooner they will either be almost in or already playing in the Southeastern Conference - which has produced three National Champs since 2012.
"I will be playing against a lot of my former teammates!," Pickering said.
| @AHS_Softball_ HC Ashley Boyd to VYPE in a text on new @OU_Softball (Reigning National Champs) commit @PickeringKasidi | BTW OU has 5 National Championships & just added Pickering who is No. 4 overall prospect for Class of 2023 & No. 2 Outfielder in Nation by @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/iegxR55qaC
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) September 24, 2021