Anna Varsity Girls, JV Boys Win District Titles
By Joe Arriola

Anna, TX — The Anna Coyotes’ track and field teams came out on top in the District 13-2A meet that took place Tuesday in Anna.
The Coyotes’ varsity girls (178 points) and JV boys (225) teams each finished first. Meanwhile, the Anna varsity boys (137) and JV girls (114 points) teams each finished second.

In the girls varsity competition, Anna’s Erwin, Tippie, Griffin, and Curiel each won titles. On the JV boys side, Anna’s Griffin, Stevenson, O’Neil, Dayberry and Nichols each took home district titles.
Here are the top finishers:

JV Boys
Griffin – Pole Vault – 10’6”
Stevenson – Triple Jump – 35 1 1/2
O’Neil – Discus – 108’1
Gibson – Shot Put – 39’ 1 1/2
Dayberry – 100m – 11.53
Nichols – 3200m – 11:45:09
Anna Team – 4 x 200m – 1:37:32
JV Girls
Griffin – Pole Vault – 6’0
Rhines – Shot Put – 29’
Jaynes – 3200m – 14:07.4
Andrews – 1600m – 6:43.81

Varsity Boys
Clark – Pole Vault – 12’6
Wright – 100m – 11.27
Hughes – 3200m – 9:40.59
Anna Team – 4 x 200m – 1:33.79
Hughes – 1600m – 4:29.13

Varsity Girls
Erwin – Pole Vault – 9’
Tippie – 3200m – 12:59.33
Griffin – 110H – 16.36
Anna Team – 4 x 400 – 4:12.09
Curiel – 200m – 26.44

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RoughRider Coverage Comes to The Anna News
By Lou Musmeci

We here at The Anna News love baseball, and judging by the amount of Texas Rangers caps in the area, the city of Anna also loves baseball.
As a weekly newspaper, there are many obstacles to overcome in covering baseball. For example, it would seem pretty ridiculous to say, “Did you see that game-winning home run by Ian Kinsler last week?” Of course you did — via Internet, daily newspaper or attendance at the game.

So how does The Anna News get involved in America’s pastime?  Well, the trip to Arlington from here during the week seems out of the question. So how about something more local? A ballgame that’s, say, within 45 minutes from here. Enter the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.

Double-A? Is that really baseball?

Remember that Kinsler guy that hit the game-winning home run last week? He was a member of the RoughRider’s 2004 Texas League Championship team. Double-A ball simply means that young players — and sometimes veterans — are looking to get their chance or another chance to make “the show.” Watching these athletes is a breath of fresh air, because they are not playing for multi-million dollar contracts. They are playing for the love of the game — and hopefully one day getting a multi-million dollar contract.

So here is what you will get from The Anna News each and every week: Interviews with the manager, players, coaches and even the radio voice of the RoughRiders. Not just things you would read in a bio, but what a player is thinking about, his health, how he’s enjoying his time in Texas and — most importantly — what he can do to make this team better. Our photographer will be attending games, bringing you the best play-by-play photos imaginable. We want you to feel like you KNOW these players and can’t wait to see them in person.

We will also be listing some upcoming home games and where to get tickets. In an effort to get you closer to the game, The Anna News encourages you to e-mail us questions you may want answered by a particular player or coach.

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Coyotes Run Into Goliath
By Lou Musmeci

When David fights Goliath, most of the time the bigger, stronger Goliath wins.

Such was the case as the Farmersville Farmers easily manhandled the Anna Coyotes this past Tuesday winning 20-0.

While Farmersville has been a constant powerhouse, the Anna Coyotes are building for the future. The Coyotes feature only two field players and a designated hitter as their only seniors. Recently, three players from the JV team were put into the lineup in order to give them experience going into next year.

The Coyotes may be going through growing pains now, but hopefully they will benefit from these trying times in the future.

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Wild Finish Sees Coyotes Finish Off Ponder
By Lou Musmeci

ANNA, TX — Question:  Which one word best describes the Coyotes recent game versus Ponder?

• Great
• Exciting
• Amazing
• Whew!
• All of the above
The correct answer is E … and more!

With the Coyotes leading 2-1 after three innings, Ponder scored 2 in the top of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. The first batter for the Coyotes led off the bottom of the fourth by striking out, but reached first on a wild pitch. A double put men on second and third and a sac fly drove in a run. With a runner at third, Christopher Gonzalez singled to right driving in a run and giving Anna a 4-3 lead. Following an infield single, two doubles and two Ponder errors, Anna ended the inning scoring 5 runs and leading 7-3.

So it must be time to get up and leave, right?

Wrong. The fireworks were about to begin.

The Ponder Tigers roared back with a run in the top of the fifth 5 runs in the top of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead.

The Coyotes showed some great effort by coming up with 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 9.

After a scoreless seventh, the teams went into extra innings. Both teams were exhausted, but ready to put up a fight. Ponder scratched out 2 runs in the top of the eighth, taking an 11-9 lead into the bottom of the inning.

The Coyotes have had trouble winning at home this season, so an 11-9 defeat would have been par for the course. But these Coyotes were determined to turn a negative into a positive — even if it is against the odds.

Zakk Perez led off the bottom of the eighth with a single and that was followed by back-to-back singles by James Elliott and Austin Bailey.

Let’s have Coach Kraig Johnson take you through the next batter, Casey Green:
“As soon as the ball came off Casey’s bat, I had my mind made up that I was sending all three runners and we were going to try and win right then.”

The move was prophetic, as Green’s hard-hit ball turned out to be a triple, scoring the three runners that were in motion, and putting the exclamation point on a 12-11 Coyote victory.
Although the Coyote’s record is 6-12 and 2-8 in division play, these gritty kids continue to battle through adversity and put on a good show each and every night. Much improvement is needed on defense – there were 7 Coyote errors on this night – but their bats have been coming alive as of late.

“I am so proud of these guys for battling back,” Coach Johnson said. “We came from behind twice and found a way to win at the end. This is the kind of offensive game that I knew we were capable of.”
Anna was lead at the plate by Jeremy O’Bier’s 4 for 5 night with four runs scored. Christopher Gonzalez pitched well for 5-2/3 innings but was not involved in the decision.

Cutline:
Photos by Ray Jon
Against Melissa, the Coyotes Varsity baseball team came up short to the Cardinals 12-9 Tuesday night. The Lady Coyotes won their game vs. Melissa 4-0.

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Naudins Work to Reinstate Ban on Metal Cleats
By Joe Arriola

Editor’s Note: The softball game described below was played in Princeton, but the injury suffered could very well have happened in Anna, Melissa, Allen, Aubrey or anywhere in the country.

ANNA, TX — When the Princeton varsity softball team played Van Alstyne on March 15, it was just a regular 9-3A softball game.

That was until a Van Alstyne base runner, who was wearing metal cleats, slid into third base and gashed the left shin of Princeton freshman Chanin Naudin.

Due to the severity of the laceration, Naudin was carted off the field and rushed to a McKinney ER facility for immediate care. The spike wound penetrated over three inches deep and required 27 stitches to close. Chanin, who is a two-time ASA National Champion; will sit out for the remainder of the season.

Since the injury, Cherri and Ed Naudin (Chanin’s parents) have been hard at work to convince the UIL to reverse its decision to legalize the use of metal cleats in high school softball for the 2008 season. The Naudin’s have also set up a MySpace account (www.myspace.com/nometalspikes) for softball players to register their support of the ban on metal cleats.

Ed Naudin posted the following message on the Naudin’s MySpace page.
“Seeing my daughter in significant pain, and knowing that this incident could have been avoided, is both troubling and concerning. Direct feedback from the UIL indicates that they will continue to monitor this situation, and reconsider the opinion that metal spikes are safer than rubber cleats.”

“I believe an injury of this severity should be an immediate call to action, no other player should be left to suffer this type of laceration again.”

“Without question, the number and severity of injuries suffered by our softball players has risen and continues to be documented during the 2008 season. With your assistance, I am confident that we can capture the interest and heart of this community to drive the appropriate changes.”

“Together, we can make a real difference and increase the safety of this sport and the welfare and health of our current and future young athletes. Metal spikes do not have their place in High School Softball, and the quicker they are removed, the better for this sport. The governing body for ASA Junior Olympic Softball has banned their usage for their athletes, and we must follow their lead.”

“Please help us to send a message to the appropriate softball governing bodies for High School softball. Add your voice to the many others who want to make this game a safer experience for every athlete.”

The Naudin’s also ask that parents and athletes in favor of the ban on metal cleats in high school softball sign the online petition, http://banmet.epetitions.net. Posted on this Website, are the following reasons to reinstate the ban on metal cleats.

Reasons to reinstate the ban:
1.  The severity of injuries with metal cleats is greater and more serious than injuries with plastic cleats.

2.  The level of training provided to the players is inconsistent and not thorough enough to provide a safe environment.

3.  The bases in softball are closer than the bases in baseball, providing less time to adjust to the base and to avoid a collision.

4.  Traction is always a question but the quality of the plastic spikes provides great support if not worn down.

5.  ASA has continued to ban metal cleats at the highest level of play because of the number of severe injuries.

6.  What benefits can you possibly quantify that out weighs the risks and severity of these injuries?

7. Check out www.ringor.com and see how the manufacturers sell these cleats. They say “A premier lightweight women’s pro and collegiate level metal spike.  It doesn’t say for high school girls or even nationally ranked travel teams.

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Anna Coyotes Get Chapped With 4-3 Loss
By Lou Musmeci

AUBREY, TX - The Anna Coyotes (5-11, 1-7) fought hard until the very end as they lost a heartbreaking decision to the Aubrey Chaps on Apr. 1st

With a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third, the Chaps scored 4 runs to take a 4-1 lead. The two teams could not put up any runs over the next three innings as a pitching duel between Blake Hand of the Coyotes and Justin Dossey of the Chaps ensued.

Still trailing by 3 in the top of the seventh, the Coyotes put up two runs on a 2 RBI single by Chris Gonzalez   falling just short and ultimately losing a 4-3 decision.
Hand pitched his heart out for the Coyotes, striking out 11 in the complete game loss. Zakk Perez also chipped in a double for the Coyotes.

It was a tough loss for our kids because they battled so hard against a very tough team,  said Coach Kraig Johnson. The last time we played them we made a bunch of errors and they blew us out. We came out ready to play tonight, unfortunately, it was too little too late. We had the tying run on second and the winning run on first in the seventh with one out, but we couldn't find a way to score again. Aubrey is a good team. They are not leading this division by accident.

Anna vs. Aubrey
Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2008

    R    H    E
Anna    3    5    1
Aubrey    4    5    2

Pitching:
WP - Justin Dossey
LP - Blake Hand

Hitting:
2B - AU: Grant Henry 1, Justin Dossey 1. AN: Zakk Perez 1.

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Lady Coyotes Fall to Aubrey
By Lou Musmeci

AUBREY, TX - As well as the Lady Coyotes have been playing lately, it was only a matter of time before they threw in a clunker.

The teams last game, an 11-2 loss against Aubrey, was that clunker.
It looked promising early in the game as the Lady Coyotes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a Renee Erwin walk and a Kelsey Stephens RBI. The top of the second saw Anna take a 2-0 lead as Laura Love hit a solo home run.

Aubrey scored 7 runs in the bottom of the third, 2 in the bottom of the fourth and 2 in the bottom of the fifth. Anna should have shouted, Stop the game!   before Aubrey's hitting commenced to drilling holes in the outfield fence. But it didn't, and Anna didn't score the rest of the game. Other than the Love home run, the Lady Coyotes only managed one other hit.

The Lady Coyotes look to get back to their winning ways at their next game versus Ponder on Saturday.

Anna vs. Aubrey
Monday, Mar. 31, 2008

    R    H    E
Anna    2    
Aubrey    11

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JV Coyotes Take 3rd in Tournament
By Lou Musmeci

GUNTER, TX - The JV Coyote baseball team traveled to Gunter for the Gunter/Whitewright Tournament and came back with a respectable third place finish.

Game 1 vs. Pottsboro - Mar. 27th

In their first game versus Pottsboro, the Coyotes fell behind early giving up two runs in the top of the first and another in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the frame, Anna scored 3 to tie the game, highlighted by Austin Bailey's first home run of the season. Bailey's home run was a no doubter,  as it cleared the wall by approximately 20 feet.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. With no outs and men on first and third, Jeremy McClure lofted a fly ball just deep enough to score the game winning run on a sac fly for the 4-3 final score.

Although Bailey and McClure helped Anna to victory with their bats, the most dominating performance of the day went to pitcher Greg O'Bier. In pitching a complete game and only giving up two hits, O'Bier struck out 16 Pottsboro batters. In all, O'Bier was responsible for 18 of the opponents 21 outs for the game.

Game 2 vs. Gunter - Mar. 28th

Sometimes itÕs all about your opponent.
Gunter has been a dominant force in Division 2-A baseball for years and after beating the Coyotes 9-1 in game 2 of the tournament, it showed.

The Coyotes couldnÕt get it done at the plate, getting just one hit and striking out 12 times. It wasnÕt much better in the field on this day either. The Coyotes made 4 errors leading to many unearned runs.

Gunter had little problem scoring. They scored 2 runs in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings and 1 in the sixth. The home team pounded out 13 hits in getting their 9 runs.

Game 3 vs. Bells - Mar. 29th

After being blown out by Gunter the day before, it would be understandable if the team was a little nervous before the 3rd Place game versus Bells.
They weren't.

In fact   they EXPLODED!

It was a tight game until the bottom of the third. With the game tied at 2, Anna broke the game open with 5 runs in the bottom of the third and 10 in the bottom of the fourth.
That was not a misprint - TEN in the bottom of the fourth. That made the score 17-2 and the game was called after 4 innings.

The Coyotes had 15 hits in the 17 run outburst. It seemed like everyone who came to the plate was hitting the ball and hitting the ball hard. The team also played great defense as well.

The Coyotes finished the Gunter/Whitewright Tournament at 2-1 and received a 3rd Place finish.

Congratulations to the Anna JV Coyotes.

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