It’s rare to find an ace like Denise Arnold in junior college softball — two strikeouts per inning and a sub-2 ERA would send most pitchers to a Division I school.

It’s even rarer to find a quality replacement once she’s gone.

So forgive McLennan Community College softball coach Manuel Ordones’ excitement when he found not one, but two top-caliber hurlers in a single recruiting class just a year removed from a run to the national tournament.

“I’ve got to feel good because our strength is going to be on the mound,” he said. “It’s rare. I realize we’re very fortunate. Now we just have to keep them healthy.”

The Highlassies hope to return to the national tournament with a Region V North tournament title.
Duane A. Laverty / Waco Tribune-Herald

Ordones shot the moon when he grabbed a pair of letters of intent from Lorena’s Taylor Kelm and Southern Mississippi’s Kelly Smith. Kelm, a former Super Centex Newcomer of the Year and a two-time first-team selection, signed in the early period. Ordones received transfer papers from Smith later in the season.

At that point, he knew he was in for a good year, which begins with a 1 p.m. Wednesday doubleheader against San Jacinto College at Bosque River Ballpark.

“Kelly’s legit. She’s really impressed me,” Ordones said.

Smith, originally from Friendswood, recorded a 0.95 ERA in high school, grabbing the school single-season strikeout record at 330 and career strikeout record of 659 in three years. She appeared in 14 games in college at Southern Miss, collecting a 2-3 mark with a 3.66 ERA.

Smith’s experience in Division I ball will bring an instant replacement for Arnold, who had to carry the complete pitching load after Amanda Hinojosa was injured last season. It’ll be a tough chore, considering the 22-11 record and leadership of Arnold, now at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Still, Smith expects nothing less than a return to St. George, Utah, for the national tournament.

“Me and TK (Kelm) are really doing well at pitching and our defense is phenomenal,” she said. “When we do outfield play, none of the balls are getting by them.”

The easy-going sophomore enjoys taking the pressure off herself in the circle, trying to make it feel “like I’m not in a game.”

That’s not how Kelm handles it.

“I’m pretty much the exact opposite. I don’t let them see my (pitching) motions,” said the freshman, who helped the Lady Leopards roll into the Class 3A area round last year. “That was a big thing with my dad, too. He was always telling me to keep a poker face.”

Kelm totaled 11 wins and 83 strikeouts last season.

Possibly her biggest asset will be her knowledge of the competition’s ticks and tells.

“It’s going to be really exciting playing people I know. I already know pretty much what they’re going to do,” she said.

Kelm won’t be lacking at the plate, either. She held a .431 batting average, and knocked in 30 RBIs last year.

Leading off for the Highlassies will be shortstop Jill Jordan (.372, 32 stolen bases). The Wylie native will be the main catalyst for a lineup missing a bit of its speed from last season, but her consistency will be a welcome addition.

Slugging centerfielder Victoria Alcozer, of Belton, returns with her team-high .333 batting average, along with first baseman Abigail Kester, of New Braunfels, and leftfielder Kristyn Kolacek, of West, both of whom saw limited time.

A strong fall season is providing inspiration for the Highlassies, too. In her first practice of the spring, Alcozer noted how in sync the squad had become.

“It was very shocking how on we were,” she said. “We didn’t have the team chemistry at this time last year. We have it this year.”

The Highlassies will face the usual crop of talented teams in Region V North, including Temple College and North Central Texas College, but Ordones has made it clear their sights aren’t set on the regular season.

“Our whole season is based on the regional tournament,” he said. “We do well there and we advance to the national tournament.”

Twitter            Facebook