Tatem Pendergraft stepped onto the diamond this past spring ready to give maximum effort on each and every play. In her first varsity season on the Amarillo High softball team, the sophomore exceeded expectations at the plate, in the circle and defensively at shortstop on the way to earning Amarillo Globe-News Softball Newcomer of the Year honors.

Despite it being the home debut, and the season-opening game, Justin Reese was more than critical of his players Saturday night.Reese felt his team lacked sharpness, focus and urgency in the first half, which would go on to result in a 38-28 loss to the West Texas Warbirds inside the Amarillo Civic Center.

The 2021 Lone Star Conference Track Meet did not disappoint this year! Being a local of Canyon/Amarillo area, I was undoubtedly rooting for the West Texas A&M Buffalos and Lady Buffs to sweep the meet. 

Amarillo High headed into the Region I-5A quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 Lubbock-Cooper knowing they needed to play their best baseball of the year. The Sandies did just that.

Catching the ball isn't something new for me. Sure, it may look different with a camera body and giant lens in hand, but back in the day, I used to play catcher myself.