By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Carlos Rodriguez isn’t reminiscing much about the past as he enters his 21st coaching campaign at La Joya High. Nor is publicly dissecting the team’s recent struggles in trying to make the playoffs.
“We’re look forward to this team,” he said Thursday. “What already transpired, that’s behind us.”
By the same token, Rodriguez is taking a page out of their history book, if only to motivate this current group. Not since 2010 have the Lady Coyotes clinched a postseason berth. That same year, they captured a district title, as well.
That’s the goal in 2015.
“And there’s no secret about it,” Rodriguez added. “That’s the standard.”
Before this four-year slump, La Joya had won six consecutive district titles and were considered among the Valley’s top teams. Expansion, of course, played a factor in setting them back. But Rodriguez takes ownership, saying, “We can’t really attribute (the drought) to anything other than what we have to do — everything from the coaching to executing on the field.”
None of the 15 players on his current roster played for La Joya in 2010. The link between the two, though, is a similar set of goals and expectations.
The Lady Coyotes have experience on their side, returning eight players, including five starters. They have six seniors in the mix and more depth at pitching, which eluded them last season.
“We put the ball in place,” said Brianda Ramirez, who will split time in the circle with Sabrina M. Salinas. “Our offense is helping us get some runs, and our defense is locking every ball to stop the scoreboard. That’s the difference this year.”
It was certainly the case Thursday as they closed out the opening day of the La Joya ISD Tournament with a 15-0 win over La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, atoning for a 12-5 loss to McAllen Memorial earlier that morning.
For now, Rodriguez is keeping his wish list simple. “Team attitude,” he says, counts above everything else. The execution of plays is also a major emphasis. At the same time, he’s going deep into his bench bench, in case injuries spring up and he has to shuffle around the lineup.
The offense, which is ahead of the defense right now, is being counted on to put the ball in play consistently, minimizing strikeouts. And if they limit untimely mistakes, Rodriguez is confident in their potential.
The 7-3 record, so far, is a relatively small sample size, but an encouraging sign nonetheless for La Joya.
“We’ve improved a lot,” said Alex Solis, a junior first baseman, who enters her third varsity season. “We’re not just motivated to get in the playoffs, but also get district. We want to be known as one of the best teams in district.”
Rodriguez isn’t discouraged that he hasn’t found a go-to player just yet, he explains, because “every kid, whether they’re a starter or non-starter, wants to take on a leadership role.”
It’s that level of enthusiasm and assertiveness that has seemingly nudged the Lady Coyotes closer toward their ultimate goal.
“We’re getting closer and closer to being a better team,” Rodriguez said. “We have a good combination of kids that work hard together. It’s a daily grind to handle the pressures of the game, but we’re getting better every time we get on the field.”