By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers will rely on their twin aces to lead them on a playoff run.
Sophomore Cassie Valdez and freshman Mia Anzaldua give Brownsville Veterans (22-6, 12-2 in District 32-6A) a dynamic duo from the pitcher’s spot, which will come in handy in the team’s best-of-three Class 6A bi-district series against the Weslaco High Lady Panthers starting at 7 p.m. today at Weslaco.
Valdez gets most of the Lady Chargers’ starts but Anzaldua has the ability to come in late in games or make a spot start with no dropoff in talent.
“It says a lot about those two little girls that they’re very special,” coach Ray Cardenas said. “They’re very good pitchers and they know that. For them to able to share the time and limelight and understand that it’s best for them that they have that sharing ability in games and there’s no jealously between the two. They’ve played together since they were little. Playing here at Veterans is like when they were 7, 8 years.
“That’s the most amazing part about it, their ability to just back each other up, play for each other and not be jealous of each other successes.”
Having two pitchers who can control a game from the circle keeps them fresh for the postseason and gives Brownsville Veterans the advantage of getting hitters out of rhythm, since Valdez throws righty and Anzaldua throws southpaw.
Weslaco High’s looking to settle the score after Brownsville Veterans won the three-game bi-district series between the two schools last year.
“I expect them to come back for revenge,” Cardenas said. “The last playoff series against them probably didn’t sent well with them. They’re a very good team. They were district champs last year. I know the coaches and those players are working hard right now to make up for the fact that we went over there and took that series from them.”
Porter
A bi-district rematch awaits the Porter Cowgirls as well.
Porter faces District 31-6A’s top-seeded Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks in the Class 5A best-of-three bi-district round starting with Game 1 on Friday at Porter.
“It’s a redemption match-up for us,” coach Ariel Arredondo said. “They knocked us out last year and then we got the opportunity to play then in the Laredo tournament this year. My girls are ready to show (Sharyland) Pioneer that they can win.”
Arredondo says the Lady Diamondbacks are a tough team defensively, and the Cowgirls (15-13, 9-5 in District 32-5A) will have to capitalize on small ball to win the series.
“We can’t crack under pressure,” she said. “Last year their small game beat us. This year, we are going in with the mentality to expect the unexpected play. Secondly, we have to execute our own plays offensively. Moving runners around will be key.”
Going through a tough district featuring state-ranked teams PSJA High (No. 23 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s Class 5A softball poll) and Mercedes (No. 26) has Porter prepared for the playoff grind.
Still, the offense has to come together to give the team a chance against Sharyland Pioneer. Synergy is the word Arredondo uses for Porter’s offensive approach.
“My girls have all shined and come in clutch when need be at different times,” Arredondo said. “What we’re working on is all of time producing together at the same time.”
Port Isabel
The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons won District 32-4A No. 3 seed on a coin flip with Zapata on Monday and drew Rockport-Fulton for their Class 4A bi-district series.
The two teams play in a one-off, winner-takes-all games at 7:30 Friday at the Texas A&M-Kingsville softball complex in Kingsville.
Defense is the key for Port Isabel (17-11, 9-5 in District 32-4A), which hopes to break through to area round after losing in bi-district three consecutive seasons.
“As long as we continue to play solid defense, we’ll give ourselves a chance,” coach Danno Wise. “They are a good team and don’t give up a lot of runs. Our focus on offense is to have all nine batters put the ball in play hard. If we consistently put the ball in play hard, good things will happen and we will get our runs.”
Port Isabel’s senior infield of catcher Michelle Martinez, first baseman Marina Wise, second baseman Natasha Ramirez, third baseman Guillian Garza and shortstop Alex Martinez gives sophomore pitcher Christa Valdez plenty of reliable experience in the one-game showdown.
“Without a doubt their experience helps, especially with quick decision making, which is critical this time of year,” Wise said.
Joshua McKinney covers high school sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @joshuabvherald.