By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Without context, McAllen Rowe’s 10-5 overall record can easily be overlooked.
The Lady Warriors lost four times in tournaments, first to Valley counterparts Edinburg North and Mercedes, and then later to Bryan and Schertz Clemens. Since then, however, Rowe has been on a tear, winning seven straight games, including a 5-0 start in district.
“They’re not scrubs,” coach Ozzy Hernandez said of his team’s early season losses. “They’re top in the Valley, top in the state. And those were very tough, contested games.”
Hernandez said his players weren’t discouraged with the start, understanding “it’s a process.”
“I would love to put up 15 runs in three innings and go home, but it doesn’t help any of us,” he said. “I love the tough games, and my girls love the situation. We’ve been taking our bumps and bruises but it’s paying off now.”
The main reason for that — defense. With Krystal Ramos (6-1, 5-0) in the circle, the Lady Warriors have been close to unbeatable. In five district games, she’s allowed a combined two runs, tallying a 1.40 ERA in 35 innings, having faced 91 batters.
In the event that she does wind up giving up a hit, Hernandez said, Ramos is confident that “it’s more than likely going to be an out,” given her protection.
If Rowe ever struggles at the plate, as it did during a 2-0 win over Mission High on Tuesday, it knows it can still keep games close with their defensive prowess.
Part of that is a product of their experience, having returned seven starters, the vast majority of those juniors. They finished as district runner-ups the past two years, before bowing out of the playoffs in the bi-district round.
This year, they hope it’s different.
“It’s been a great season, so far, and we’re looking forward to the challenges in the second round (of district after today’s game),” Hernandez said. “I tell the girls, we can’t be satisfied with 5-0. They understand that we have a target on our back. Everyone wants to beat the undefeated team (in district).”
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Considering the inconsistencies in his lineup, Donna High coach Adrian Lopez will gladly accept his team’s 10-5 overall record and 4-2 in district.
The biggest issue, for now, is finding a reliable string of batters. Sometimes the middle of the lineup comes up big. Other times, it’s the bottom of the order.
“Every now and then I get surprised by some of the kids like, ‘OK, you came through for us today,’” Lopez said. “Other times, it’s the kids that you expected to come through. That’s been good for us.”
He added. “Am I happy? Yes. But I’m not completely satisfied. I know we can improve.”
With seven returners back in the fold, Lopez expects big things. They lost key figures at first and third base, but junior Kara Yanez and freshman Abigail Luna, respectively, have done a commendable job filling those gaps.
For the past couple of years, Donna has been knocking on the door, finishing 12-12 overall and 8-8 in district last season before narrowly missing the playoffs. Lopez said that “it kind of left a bad taste in our mouths” heading into this season.
Knowing they were close to their first postseason berth, Lopez said, has served as motivation in 2015. “Now,” he said, “we’ve just got to find a way to keep winning. We’ve got to take it.”