Program on the rise

By Brian Besch

The Livingston softball season ended Saturday in the bi-district round, falling to Little Cypress-Mauriceville 6-5 in Cleveland. It completes a two-game sweep, after Friday’s 11-1 loss.

The Lady Lions held a 5-1 lead after four innings, but LC-M got two in the fifth inning and three in the seventh to take a 6-5 lead.

“The game was definitely a better outing for us,” Livingston coach Heather Mosser said. “For me, it reflected more of our season and the way that we battled and commanded ourselves and our presence, so it was nice to be able to bounce back after an embarrassing outing the night before. We were able to take the lead, but all the way until the seventh inning and two outs, we still had an opportunity to tie it and take the lead.”

Livingston’s final at-bats saw two retired quickly, but a base hit by Allison Lytle and double from Shelby Dickerson had two in scoring position. A passed ball allowed the runner from third dash for home, but the Lady Bears got the tag down in time at the plate to end the game.

“We took a chance on a passed ball and they got us out, which hasn’t happened all season,” Mosser said. “We’ve scored on a passed ball 100% of the time, so it was just one of those freak things that we took a chance on. If we had to go out, I was much better bowing out that way and the way that we played and battled with those guys. We made great

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plays, we struggled with some calls that didn’t go our way, but we were still able to play through the game and have a good outing.

I told my kids at the end that this was a good reflection of our season. The night before, I didn’t sleep, because it was so devastating the way we played Friday. To come back here facing the same challenge with the same players, we were a totally different ballteam. We put their backs against the wall, but didn’t finish.” Livingston made incredible strides in the 2024 season, not only reaching the playoffs, but winning every district game except for Liberty, the No. 1 team in the state. The team was 18-12 overall and 10-2 in district, finishing in second place.

“It is year three for me, so the drills and the system and the weight room and buying in — it was time for those things to occur. It is not

all program related, I think there were a few key players that were put into place. My two pitchers, it was their senior year. They’ve been through the same hitters for four years. I think both of them had their best years on the mound, as they should from their progress and development. Brianna Nelson who is a junior and Shelby Dickerson who is a junior had phenomenal years. The growth of all the kids commanded this type of season.”

The coach also mentioned some talented freshmen that played a part in the team’s improvement. Looking to the future, she has her eye on a few eighth graders and junior varsity players in hopes for contributions next season.

Jaycee Knighton and Lytle were two of the team’s leaders that will be missed next year. Another key player, Baylee Yantes, was injured for much of her senior year, but able to contribute as a designated hitter. All three were multi-year starters in Mosser’s program.

Brianna Burks did not get to play in the playoff games with an injury late in the season, but roamed the outfield as a senior for the Lady Lions.