The competitive spirit displayed by the St. Mary's Lady Rattlers was the biggest drawing card for Shiner senior Heather Haas.
Shiner Lady Comanches pitcher Heather Haas has signed a letter of intent to play softball at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Haas has helped guide the Lady Comanches to the Class 1A state tournament the last three years. Advocate file photo
Haas, who has been part of three state tournament teams, during her three years at Shiner signed a letter of intent to play softball next year with the Lady Rattlers.
"They are a very competitive team and have that competitive attitude and I like that," Haas said. "They are a very aggressive team and are out there to win. They are determined to get back to that championship level they had in 2002 and that's what I like most."
Haas knows a lot about winning and winning attitudes. She has pitched in the last three Class 1A state UIL softball tournament and last season helped guide her team to the state title.
The Lady Comanches had compiled a 66-16-8 record over the last three seasons and Haas has been a big factor in many of those wins on the mound during that time. She has 801 career strikeouts including 269 last year as the Lady Comanches downed Bosqueville 11-1 in the state final to avenge a loss in the 2007 championship game.
Last season she was named the Class 1A state championship game MVP, was the Advocate All-Area Player of the Year and was the Collin Street Bakery/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 1A Player of the Year.
Looking at St. Mary's past successes made Haaas' choice and easy one.
The Lady Rattlers have qualified for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament the last eight years and are the defending Heartland Conference champions. St. Mary's has advanced to the NCAA Division II College World Series three times under coach Donna Field and were national champ in 2002.
"They make you feel right at home there and I felt it was a place I could call home for the next four years," Haas said. "You just feel the vibes once you step on the ground."
For now, Haas is just intent on helping the Lady Comanches return to the state softball tournament and defend their title.
"Getting this out of the way I can put my senior year on cruise control and can concentrate on helping our team get back to state and defend our title," Haas said.
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