Young Tigers target mental toughness

ODESSA - The Odessa Tigers are gearing up for a youthful baseball and softball season, aiming to instill a stronger will to win amid thin pitching and motivational challenges.

Head coach Joe Schlomer said the roster will feature 12 to 13 players, leaning on returning standouts Miller Stout, Aiden Villanueva and Travis Scherer for leadership.

"We're going to be a little young and a little short in numbers," Schlomer said.

He highlighted Sophia Martinez as a potential pitching surprise, though the staff remains thin while the catcher position is solid.

"My pitching prospect ... Sophia Martinez could be a surprise to us this year," he said. "We're short on pitching, for sure."

Offseason workouts proved tough, with early practices focusing on infield defense and batting.

"That's a real tough question, 'cause I can't get 'em to do anything in the offseason," Schlomer said.

His goals emphasize mental toughness and attitude shifts by playoffs.

"To mentally have the will to win," he said. "These guys are so easy and quick to give up ... just changing the attitude of the team and the hunger to want to succeed."

Fans can expect decent scoring if bats ignite, with defense holding steady and pitching a question mark.

"If we can get the bats turned up the way I think we can ... we could be a decent scoring team," Schlomer said. "Defensively, we can hold our own.

Spring practices started March 2.