Weekend heartbreak doesn’t override season of success

There was a lot of heartbreak this past weekend, something folks around these parts aren’t used to. Just a day after the Aledo Ladycats softball dropped a 3-2 contest to Georgetown in eight innings in the Class 5A state semifinals, the Bearcats baseball team was on the wrong end of a comeback for the ages against Mansfield Legacy.

When Legacy erupted for a dozen runs in the top of the seventh inning, it erased an eight-run Aledo lead en route to a 13-9 victory for the Broncos, along with their first berth in the Class 5A State Tournament since the school opened in 2007.

“It was unbelievable how it happened. We were on our way to state,” said Virginia Barnett, grandmother of senior Hunter Rudell, who posted the Bearcats’ lone pitching victory in the series.

It was a shocking ending for both the Ladycats and Bearcats. It will likely hurt in their memories for a while. But, as with all pain, it will ease with time and, hopefully, they will realize the magnitude of their success this season.

The Ladycats were one of the four best teams in Texas. The Bearcats were among the top eight. They were the envy of almost every other team in the state.

“Sixty four teams enter this tournament, and to get this far is impressive,” said Reid Hetherington, older brother of Bearcat senior Riley Hetherington, himself an inspiration for coming back from Tommy John surgery on his elbow to make the team this season.

Armando and Lydia Flores experienced double disappointment this past weekend. Their daughter, Liliana, is a sophomore second baseman for the Ladycats. Their son, Estevan, is a senior catcher for the Bearcats.

“We said a prayer, and that prayer was thanking God for giving us all the road time together, all the friends, it was sad to see it end, but the memories will go on forever,” Armando said. “We are a baseball/softball family, and we are so fortunate.”

Lydia added, “I feel so blessed to have been able to travel and see them play,” adding that they have even more memories - and hopefully a state championship or two - coming with Liliana.

Barnett summed it all up by saying, “It was still a great season. The boys (and girls) played their hearts out and gave us a lot to be proud of.

“We have a few tears, but we’ll get by.”