Softball: Mauldin’s absence will hurt hit-reliant Lancaster

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Lancaster‘s hopes of beating out Quartz Hill for the Golden League title have taken a pretty big blow now that one of its best players is done for the season.

According to Craig Currier at the AV Press, senior third baseman Ikea Mauldin has been declared academically ineligible and is likely ‘done for the season,’ according to Coach Krista Humphreys. Mauldin has been one of the Eagles’ offensive leaders, batting .371 with 13 RBIs and eight runs scored.

It’s going to be difficult for Lancaster to overcome Mauldin’s absence, especially when you consider how reliant the Eagles have been on their offensive leaders. All of the Eagles’ wins have come when they’ve scored six or more runs, and the team really hasn’t beaten anyone noteworthy.

Still, don’t underestimate what Heather Sandberg and Heather Black can do inside the batter’s box. Both are among the most-talented hitters in the Valley and, if the Eagles can stay out of a metal-bat brawl with the Rebels, a timely hit could go a long way toward dissolving their four-game losing streak at the hands of Quartz Hill.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this will happen, and with Mauldin likely gone for the remainder of the season, Highland is probably the Rebels’ biggest threat.

-- Austin Knoblauch