By MARK MOLINA, STAFF WRITER
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers had a strong season in which they racked up a district title, playoff victories and multiple accolades.
With the summer well underway, that trend continues as three Lady Chargers were selected to the 2017 Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State Softball Team.
Senior Naomi Barbosa was named to the second team as a utility player, while sophomore Mia Anzaldua and junior Cassie Valdez were honorable mentions as pitchers.
“I’m really happy for the girls and they worked really hard during the year and in the offseason as well,” Lady Chargers head coach Ray Cardenas said. “I’m very happy to see them receive the recognition I thought they deserved by being selected to the All-State team. I’m very proud to be a part of that and I’m extremely happy for them.”
For Barbosa, ending her senior year with one final accolade was made all the more special since she was named with some of the players in the area and state.
“I was surprised (to be named to the all-state team) because there is a lot of talent in Brownsville and the state,” Barbosa said. “I’m proud of myself and I’m proud to have my coach. He was the one who taught me how to play softball. This motivates me a lot to keep playing softball and training.”
Barbosa will join the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Monterrey) softball program.
Cardenas said Barbosa’s biggest contribution was her leadership.
“She was a great player with a great attitude and it rubbed off on the rest of the team,” He said. “She was always positive, always talking on the field and encouraging the other girls. As far as her level of play, she’s been on of the best players that I’ve ever had the chance to coach. She’s just a great player with a great attitude who is extremely skilled.
“She’s a great young lady and people enjoy what she did and she spread that joy to the rest of her teammates and made everybody better.”
Barbosa had a strong senior year playing short stop and right field for the Lady Chargers, posting a .844 fielding percentage.
At the plate as she led her team with a .535 batting average.
On the year Barbosa recorded 46 hits in 86 at-bats with 20 singles, 18 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 38 RBIs and was a All-District 32-5A first team outfielder.
While Barbosa has graduated, Anzaldua and Valdez are returning next season after being standout players this past season in the circle.
Valdez was the District 32-5A and All-metro MVP, while Anzaldua was an All-District first team pitcher and the all-Metro pitcher of the year.
Valdez racked up 193 strikeouts and a 0.87 ERA. Anzaldua recorded 163 strikeouts to go with a 0.89 ERA.