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Softball notebook: Hebron star hits 4 HRs; Plano East seeks redemption

When Heather Stearns signed with softball national power Baylor, coach Glenn Moore said, “Heather is possibly the most accomplished pitcher in North Texas. … She should see the circle early and often as a Baylor Lady Bear.”

The Hebron senior may do more than pitch in college after nearly setting a national record as a hitter.

On March 3, Stearns hit four home runs in a 13-4 win over Pilot Point at the McKinney tournament. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ record book, the national record for home runs in a game is five, by Janet Weisenforth of Green Island Heatly (N.Y.) in 1977. The record book listed 14 four-homer games, none by a player from Texas.

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“I’ve never been a really big hitter,” Stearns said. “I’ve been doing a lot in the weight room and getting stronger in my arms and legs. I feel like that’s contributed to all the power.

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“The [Baylor] coaches didn’t know I could hit until they watched me this past fall. They said they would love to have me hit, so I think I might get a chance.”

Facing a Pilot Point team that’s ranked 24th in the state in Class 3A, Stearns homered in four consecutive at-bats.

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This season, Stearns is among the 5A area leaders in ERA and strikeouts. She also leads all area players with 12 home runs.

Plano East looks for strong finish

In mid-March last year, Plano East was 16-1, undefeated in district play and ranked 10th nationally. Then the team lost seven of its last 10 district games and missed the playoffs.

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Plano East (20-2, 4-1 in District 8-5A) is currently No. 18 in ESPN’s national rankings and No. 6 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 5A state rankings. But Plano East plays in a district that includes Plano (ranked No. 28 nationally, No. 5 in the state), Flower Mound (No. 12 in the state) and Plano West (No. 8 in SportsDay’s 5A area rankings), as well as Hebron and Flower Mound Marcus (both regional quarterfinalists last year).

“Last year was kind of a reality check, and definitely was a humbling experience,” said Plano East senior pitcher Holly Kern, who has signed with Texas and leads all area players in wins (18). “We don’t want to do that again.”

Plano East plays at 8-5A leader Plano (18-2, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Plano was a state semifinalist last year, but Plano East won the teams’ first meeting this year, 8-1.

Mansfield Legacy overcomes key injury

Before going 1-for-3 and scoring three runs in Wednesday’s 12-0 win over Duncanville, Mansfield Legacy junior all-state shortstop Briana Walker had only three plate appearances this season because of a strained medial collateral ligament suffered during basketball season.

Yet after losing in the second round of the playoffs last season, Legacy is 18-3 overall, 6-0 in District 5-5A and ranked No. 7 in the state in 5A.

“We’ve got seven seniors, six juniors. It’s basically the same team we’ve had for the last two years,” coach Michelle Mayfield said.

Legacy has three stellar pitchers in sophomore Kendall Potts (committed to Baylor, 8-0 with an area-best 0.66 ERA), Northwestern State signee Baylee Gray (7-2 with a 2.23 ERA) and junior Courtney Hart (3-1).

Outfielder Brittany Walker, who like her twin sister Briana is committed to Tulsa, is hitting .314 after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury.

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And Daniella Romero (.500 batting average), Canyon Samuel (.447) and Savannah Stech (.403, 29 runs, 18 steals) have provided big contributions offensively.