Jan 27, 2012
Texas sports writers give Clark, Lady Oilers top honors
July 5, 2010
PEARLAND — When a team wins a state championship, it comes as no surprise when post-season accolades continue to be showered on the Pearland Lady Oilers after winning the 2010 Class 5A state softball crown.
The Texas Sports Writers Association recently released the 2010 All-State softball teams and Pearland head coach Laneigh Clark was the overwhelming choice for Class 5A "Coach of the Year" honors after guiding the Lady Oilers to back-to-back 5A Region III titles and two consecutive state tournament appearances.
Last season, the Lady Oilers dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to Smithson Valley in the state title game. The veteran Clark never let her girls forget that they had some unfinished business and Pearland was the only team to make a return trip to the state tournament in 2010.
The Lady Oilers were focused and confident all season that they could capture the state championship and they did exactly that with a 4-0 win over Austin Bowie. They beat Lewisville Hebron 1-0 in the state semifinal contest.
Clark has been at the helm of the Pearland softball program for 13 years and has compiled a sparkling 319-109-2 mark with the Lady Oilers. She has won 426 high school games during her remarkable coaching career that began at Haughton High School in Haughton, Louisiana. She moved on to become the head coach at Centenary College and Sam Houston State University before coming to Pearland in 1998.
Over the past two seasons, Pearland is 74-13-2 as one of the elite teams in the state. The Lady O's were 37-6-1 in 2010 matching their record-setting wins in a season they posted in 2009.
Pearland's Jaclyn Bechtle was named as the TXSWA's "Player of the Year." While Bechtle was named the MVP at the state tournament - this honor is for the entire state of Texas. She was rightly placed as the All-State first-team shortstop.
Bechtle had a tremendous season in helping Pearland to their second state title in school history. Bechtle hit .437 with a school-record 11 home runs, 45 hits, 21 runs scored, 11 doubles, and 34 RBIs. Bechtle had a sparkling field percentage of .968 with 65 assists, 57 putouts, 3-of-6 stolen bases, and only four errors.
"Jaclyn is one of the premier shortstops in the state," Clark said. "She is respected as one of the best power hitters in the Houston area; is very smooth and technically sound."
Bechtle will continue her education and playing career at San Jacinto College.
Junior Jessica Bowden was named to the TXSWA first-team this year.
Bowden finished with a 20-2-1 season record with a 0.58 ERA in 113 2/3 innings. She allowed only 11 earned runs all season while issuing a meager 19 walks with 138 striketouts. Her opponent's batting average was an anemic .199.
Bowden was also effective at the plate hitting .346 with 14 runs scored, two triples, and 10 RBIs. Bowden was a second-team All-State pick by the Texas Sports Writers Association last year.
"Jessica is our go-to pitcher on the mound for every big game," Clark said. "She has wins over many ranked opponents including two shutouts over Lewisville Hebron (1-0) in the state semifinals and a 4-0 shutout against Austin Bowie in the championship game."
Joining Bechtle and Bowden on the first-team All-State unit was junior second baseman Lauren Langner.
Langner hit .427 with 36 runs scored, 53 hits, five doubles, and 24 RBIs. She stole 23-of-24 bases and had a .468 slugging percentage.
"Lauren is one of the most athletic, quick middle infielders in the state," Clark said. "Her range and defensive skill at second base are outstanding. She certainly proved that at the state tournament."
Senior Megan Coronado was named to the All-State second-team. She was a first-team All-State selection last season and the voting was very close this year which still places her as one of the state's elite players at first base.
Coronado hit .395 with 33 runs scored, 49 hits, 14 doubles, three triples, and 17-of-21 stolen bases.
"Megan was one of the premier leadoff hitters in the state," Clark said. "She is a triple threat at the plate. Her defensive skills are outstanding and she is a very crafty runner who creates problems for defenses."
Coronado will continue her education and playing career for DePaul University.
Junior left fielder Leandra Maly was named as an All-State honorable mention.
Maly hit .338 with 18 runs scored, eight RBIs, and 15-of-15 stolen bases.
"Leandra is a true speedster," Clark said. "She came back from an early season injury to make plays during the playoffs and especially made the difference in our winning the state championship."
All of the All-State teams can be found at: www.txswa.org