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After missing the postseason from the first time since 2004 last spring, the Brownwood Lady Lions look to renew their traditional winning ways with a former player leading the program in 2023.
Cherita Munguia, a 2013 graduate of Brownwood High who has served as a varsity assistant within the girls athletic program since 2020, and the Lady Lions kick off the regular season at 4 p.m. Monday when they play host to the Class 3A Jim Ned Lady Indians.
“It’s a blessing,” Munguia said of stepping into the role Lady Lions interim coach this spring. “It was always the dream and always the goal to get to come back. Lady Lion athletics and Lady Lion softball has created some great women over the years and a lot of us attribute our dedication and work ethic and a lot of our moral character and code to these programs. To get to come back in this role is absolutely a dream.”
The Lady Lions are coming off a 9-15 campaign and 1-7 district mark, but welcome back a solid nucleus including senior infielders Cecilia Rodriguez and Mia Lopez, outfield anchor Mackenzie Welch, and all-state selection Chloe Walls behind the plate. Other players to keep an eye on include Jazmine Rivas, Jeniffer Romero and Adriana Romero.
“Cecilia and Mia are both seniors on the infield who are taking charge, and Mackenzie out in the outfield has really stepped up to help lead the outfield,” Munguia said. “Chloe is an all-stater and our voice of reason and she sees the whole field. To have all those girls out there talking at the same time creates an amazing atmosphere and chemistry that maybe we haven’t seen the last few years.”
Among the biggest bright spots for the team entering the season, Munguia said, “The girls have a lot of great energy, they work hard, they’ll do anything you ask them to do. They’re loud and excited, there’s so much positivity running through all of them. This year we have a lot of players in leadership roles and they’re very vocal. They’re all very coachable and if I ask them to do something they’re going to do it 110 percent. They’re going to do everything to the best of their ability.”
The Lady Lions do have a few holes to fill this year, including in the circle where Annie-Klein Allgood has graduated after being a fixture the last few seasons. Sophomore Tynlea Wilson will step into the role of the primary arm for Brownwood in 2023.
“She has been working diligently in the offseason to perfect her craft, and we looking forward to seeing her skills grow as the season progresses,” Munguia said of Wilson.
As for the positions that needed to be filled in the preseason, Munguia said, “We have some key spots where we have kids with no varsity experience. I have some girls that may be coming off the bench from last year or up from the JV who are going to be expected to step up into some big roles.”
The District 6-4A schedule – which includes Glen Rose, Stephenville, Graham and Marble Falls – kicks off March 21 and this year will feature home and away games with each foe within the same week.
“Glen Rose, who was really strong last year, they produce really great athletes but they were really senior heavy so there’s not a lot we know about them right now,” Munguia said. “Stephenville is always a contender and there’s always that rivalry between us. With Mineral Wells and Graham, those two didn’t have their best seasons last year but we’ve played both of them in scrimmages and tournaments. It’s going to be anybody’s game, which is why we play the games.”
Regarding the key for the Lady Lions to make 2022 a one-year hiatus from the postseason and return to the playoffs later this spring, Munguia said, “The positivity has to stay, even when we’re not as successful as maybe we want to be. We have to start with the little things. I told the girls early on when we first got back after Christmas break we have to do the little things, your feet, your hands. If we can tackle the little things every single day, big plays are going to happen. But we’ve got to be sure we’re doing it every single day.”
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Brownwood Lady Lions 2023 Varsity Softball Schedule
| Feb. 13 | Jim Ned | 4:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 17 | at Llano | 4:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 21 | Merkel | 4:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 23-25 | at Abilene Ice Breaker tournament | TBA |
| Feb. 28 | San Angelo Central | 6:30 p.m. |
| March 3 | at Brady | 5 p.m. |
| March 10-11 | at Graham tournament | TBA |
| March 14 | Gatesville | 2 p.m. |
| March 21 | Glen Rose* | 7 p.m. |
| March 24 | at Glen Rose* | 7 p.m. |
| March 28 | at Mineral Wells* | 7 p.m. |
| March 31 | Mineral Wells* | 7 p.m. |
| April 4 | Graham* | 7 p.m. |
| April 7 | at Graham* | 7 p.m. |
| April 11 | at Stephenville* | 7 p.m. |
| April 14 | Stephenville* | 7 p.m. |
* District 6-4A Games