New to the job, but not the game
Liberty High School softball head coach Tami Mangis knows all about legacies.
Her father, Fuzzy Buckenberger, is wrapping up a highly successful coaching career at Whitworth University this season after the winningest season in program history last year. If having to live up to her father wasn’t enough, Mangis takes over a Lancer team from former coach Scott Hemberry that has advanced to three straight state tournaments.
“We’re actually going to be pretty young this year,” Mangis said. “We have a very good pitcher coming back in Angela Bethel, but we did lose our other starting pitcher and catcher, which means we lost a shortstop, too, and a second baseman. Basically our starting middle infield is gone now. We are going to be young and because we’ve been to state three years in a row, that’s a little bit of pressure on me. It probably shouldn’t be there, but I feel it.”
Much like her father, Mangis laughed after that comment. Having grown up around softball, her father’s influence will definitely be seen in the Lancers this season.
“My dad really focused a lot on the fundamentals of the game,” Mangis said. “If you know the fundamentals, you can go out and do anything. He’s always been about going out and having fun and knowing the game.”
Mangis is no stranger to the Liberty program, having served as a varsity assistant and JV coach the last three seasons.
“I really like the way Tami does things,” Bethel said. “I’m excited. She’s good. She’s been there. It’s not like she’s new and thrown into the position. She’s been there all along.”
Though she’s familiar, Mangis says there may be some adjustments. “The things that I do will be different for some of them,” Mangis said. “At the same time it will be nice because we have a lot of the same philosophies, so there won’t be as much of a change for the ones who have been around during my three years.”
Mangis and the Lancers will lean heavily on the talents of Bethel, who was the backup pitcher to Jessica Mangis last year, and is now playing for Buckenberger at Whitworth. Bethel, a two-time all-league performer, will also take over the shortstop role for the first time this season.
“She’s a great leader, so having her out there will help the team immensely,” said Mangis. “She has that type of personality that will help us out greatly. Not having to pitch behind anyone is going to be great for her. She definitely has the personality of wanting to be a winner and wanting to help her team. Her being the number one pitcher and being the one we’re counting on, she will be our make-it-or-break-it player. She’s ready to play.”
The harsh winter has prevented a number of teams, including the Lancers, from practicing on their own fields.
“I’m just really going to focus on the fundamentals, how to grab a ball and throw a ball right,” said Mangis. “Hopefully we can focus on those sort of things, so when we do get on the field, it will be second nature. I went to watch my dad’s practice and some of the drills they were running. I’ve been talking to him and trying to incorporate how to run a practice inside. It is a challenge. Luckily, it will be a challenge for everyone because I don’t think anyone is going to have an advantage. I don’t think any field is looking pretty right now. Ours definitely doesn’t.”
Regardless of the fields, Bethel hopes a successful senior season is defined by another trip to the state tournament.
“It’s a team effort,” Bethel said. “If everyone does their job and the other teammates pick up the slack, and you’re always positive and keep going, you just have fun with it. Things will work out the way it’s supposed to work out, and state is definitely how it’s going to work out.”