By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos hopes to return to the postseason this year, and it starts with the focus of a trio of upperclassmen.
Falcons seniors Nick Montemayor and Zak Bridgewater and junior Miguel Gonzalez have emphasized since the end of last season.
“They’re going to be a big part of our team,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “Those guys have been with me for three years already, so they know how things work and their leadership goes a long way, on and off the field.”
Gonzalez will step back into his role at shortstop and Montemayor will return to third base. Both will also be on the mound for the Falcons. Bridgewater will be behind the plate at catcher.
The three players have helped Los Fresnos start the season by scoring at least 10 runs in two wins, including a 14-1 victory over Lyford in the opener of the Port Isabel/Los Fresnos tournament.
The trio wants to make sure the team is playing together as a unit, admitting that that wasn’t always the case in 2015.
“I feel it’s different (this year), there’s a lot more focus going on, more than last year,” Montemayor said. “This year, we’ve taken things more seriously.”
Gonzalez has noticed it as well.
“I see more team chemistry going on,” he said. “Everybody’s getting along, working hard together, helping each other. It started in the offseason, we are focused because we wanted to have a better season than we did last year.”
Bridgewater feels that he and his fellow seniors need to make sure everyone is pulling their weight for the good of the team.
“As a leader, I just have to make sure these guys are doing their jobs, and so far everyone’s doing a great job,” he said. “(I’m) making sure everyone is playing to the best of their potential.”
Morales likes the combination of leadership, as one will speak up while the other two lead by example.
“It’s what makes them unique,” he said. “Each of them know their role and they’re doing a great job, they’re handling the team pretty well right now.”
For Los Fresnos, production from the trio will be the key to success, especially from Montemayor on the mound and Gonzalez at the plate.
Montemayor is happy to carry the team on his back when he’s on the hill.
“I don’t worry about (pressure) too much,” he said. “I just have to go out there and pitch and throw strikes.”
The junior shortstop emphasized his hitting must improve, but he’ll do whatever is asked of him to help the Falcons return to the postseason.
“I need to be more disciplined with pitches,” Gonzalez said. “I’ll help the team to the best of my ability with whatever role I’m playing. We’re hoping to get back to the playoffs and make a good run.”
Morales said the goal is to return to the postseason, but it isn’t the focus just yet.
“Right now, we’re trying to stress one pitch at a time and go from there,” he said. “These guys seem to buy into that, whatever happens, happens, and let’s move on from there. Let’s continue working and good things are going to happen.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.