Q&A with Playoff-Bound Baseball and Girls Soccer Head Coaches

Apr 25, 2018 | All School, Upper School News, US Athletics

Varsity Baseball
Head Coach Jamey Woods


What about this team stands out and has contributed to your collective success this season?
This team had to grow up fast after losing five starting seniors last year. As a group, they have bought in to the team philosophy and some freshman have had to learn on the job. The success of our young players, the leadership of a small senior core (Chayton Mowrey, Ben Blair and John Fears), and the pitching depth of our two junior starters have definitely been the ingredients of a third straight state playoff appearance.

How would you describe the Mustang offense? Who are the impactful leaders and how have they advanced the team?
Our offense has been consistent throughout the year, and that is one thing that can help a team succeed. When you have good pitching, it is always easier to execute when you know your offense can score on any team. Sophomore Nate Anderson lead the team in batting avg during the regular season, hitting .463 on the year. Last year’s region “Player of the Year”, Tres Gonzalez was a close second batting .444 on the season
On this young team, how would you evaluate the defense this year?
While team defense might be the only kink in our armor, that is to be expected when five of your nine starters are freshmen and sophomores. Pitching has carried the defense. Tres Gonzalez, Jack Mullen, John Fears, Alex Thomas, Jackson Denney, and Jack Sims have given us a deep and dominant pitching staff. Any coach will tell you that pitching and defense wins championships, and we’ve got a young improving defense and a dominant pitching staff. So, times are good!
Overall, what are your observations about this team as a teacher, mentor, and coach?
The best way to describe this team is simply a young work in progress, which is ahead of the game. We lose one pitcher and two position players for next year. So as teachers and coaches we see any run in the state playoffs as a bonus. These players are truly students of the game, and the future is bright for Mount Vernon Baseball. Stay tuned! There’s lots more to come!
Due to impending rain, Brookstone has pushed the baseball playoff series to Friday, April 27 (2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and Saturday, April (1:00 p.m. if needed).

Varsity Girls Soccer
Head Coach Deairra Hobson

What about this team stands out and has contributed to your collective success this season?
Almost all of our girls are multi-sport athletes and almost all of our girls play soccer year-round. Additionally, all of our girls are scholars in the classroom. They are natural competitors and don’t settle for mediocrity. Their commitment to understanding the game and competing on and off of the field has greatly contributed to their overall success.
How would you describe the Mustang offense? Who are the impactful leaders and how have they advanced the team?
Soccer is one of the greatest team sports — without all of the girls working together and understanding the game well, they won’t be successful. A few of the girls who help keep us offensively competitive are senior Cassidy Garrison and sophomore Gracie Hudgins. Cassidy has scored a goal in nearly all of our wins and Gracie’s strong presence and fearless play in the middle of the field always puts us in a position to score. She along with her sister, junior Madeleine Hudgins, help to make this team stay competitive and to not be taken likely by other teams in our region. We’ve also seen several heads-up plays from freshman Emily Raeside.
How would you describe the defensive strategy? Who are the impactful leaders and how have they advanced the team?
Junior Hannah Hagenau is one of our most impactful defensive players because of her knowledge of the game and ability to direct the defensive during the game. Often you’ll see her throwing her hand in the air to alert the refs of when an opponent is offsides. She is also our captain and our girls rally behind her. Our greatest defender is our goalkeeper sophomore Katieanne Peterson. She is the reason some of our tough losses were only by 1 or 2 points. Her ability to read the opposing team, make plays on the ball when necessary, her agility in the goal have greatly impacted this team and kept us out of some tough situations. One of the highlights was her blocking a shot against Wesleyan during penalty kicks. It gave us the edge over the other team and resulted in our 7-6 win over one of the best teams in the state.
Overall, what are your observations about this team as a teacher, mentor, and coach?
What I’ve noticed and love most about these girls is their love for one another. They aren’t just teammates, they’re friends. It’s great to watch and to be a part of.