By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
In 2013, Teresa Thibodeaux inherited a PSJA High softball team with plenty of freshmen. In three years, she felt, the team could be competitive.
As it turns out, Thibodeaux was correct.
The Lady Bears are not only in the mix for a playoff berth, but they’re also in contention for a district title. Thibodeaux would have to look at the athletic department’s trophy case to recall the last time the program won one.
If they beat Mercedes (17-2, 9-1) today, PSJA (16-5, 9-2) would sweep the season series and remain in contention for the 32-5A championship.
“I always said three years out (from my hiring) would be our year,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s been fun for me to watch our players develop and mature into really good softball players.”
Last year, injuries crippled PSJA’s chances. But with a relatively clean bill of health, the Lady Bears have flourished, picking up a much-needed 5-4 win over Donna in eight innings on Tuesday. The win was significant because it handed the Lady Bravettes their second consecutive loss, further breaking apart from a Donna team that was tied with PSJA for second place in district last week.
The Lady Bears have been able to do it with a junior-heavy cast, including one senior and one freshman.
Defense has been the key, such as when it handed Mercedes its only district loss of the season. PSJA High had four double plays in that 3-0 win. And against Donna, it committed only one error.
“They’ve improved quite a bit,” Thibodeaux said.
In graduating three key contributors, PSJA High’s biggest concern going into this year was in the outfield. But they’ve been able to overcome it with a cast that still has one year left together.
HANGING IN THE BALANCE
For the past couple of years, PSJA Memorial has fallen one game shy of making the playoffs. And the Lady Wolverines once again have a cloud of uncertainty looming over them down the stretch.
Memorial, which is 5-5 in district, sits in fourth place in 31-6A. It has a half-game edge over Weslaco East going into today.
A lack of experience played a factor the past couple of years, coach Albert Esparza said. This year, though, the largely junior-heavy team has made progress.
“These girls are really hard working, very determined,” Esparza said. “Every game we’ve faced, there’ve been some setbacks, but for the most part, they’ve worked really hard.”
The infield has come up big for Memorial. Junior pitchers Amanda Aguilera and Ashley Castillo have stepped up, as well, rotating at the shortstop position whenever the other is in the circle.
The weakness this year has been the outfield, but the team has made strides with leftfielder Emily Garcia and centerfielder Mariela Sepulveda stepping up as of late.
Even in the losses, Esparza has found encouraging signs.
In a 2-0 loss to Edinburg North, the No. 1 team in district, Memorial allowed only one earned run. Against Edinburg High, the runner-up in 31-6A, the game was close late before losing 5-3.
“That was a great showing,” Esparza said of the two close losses. “It shows we’re getting stronger. We’ve gotten stronger and stronger every year and the players have just bought into the program. They’re doing well.”