By MARK MOLINA|The Brownsville Herald
Over the last three seasons, Cassie Valdez has worked to become the face of the Brownsville Veterans Memorial softball program as well as one of the top players in the Rio Grande Valley.
After another dominating season during her senior campaign, Valdez will go out on top of the local softball scene as she has been named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Softball Most Valuable Player for the third straight season.
While the accolades have been nice for Valdez, she says that helping elevate the program and representing the Brownsville area has meant even more to her.
“It’s awesome for people to notice you all over the Valley — it’s humbling,” she said. “Representing Veterans the way we have has been great. It’s exciting that our teams can compete with teams from all around. It shows that we may live in Brownsville, but we have talent and can show up.”
“It’s a blessing being able to leave my mark and to have led this team to playoffs and through district.”
Valdez was a force at the plate, playing the infield and was one half of a dominant pitching duo, helping the Lady Chargers (26-12, 14-0) to a second consecutive undefeated District 32-5A championship and a berth in the regional quarterfinals.
It was another year of big numbers for Valdez as she posted a .611 batting average with 60 RBIs, 58 runs scored, 11 home runs and struck out just five times in 37 games on her way to being named the District 32-5A Offensive MVP.
From the circle, Valdez racked up 162 strikeouts, allowed 35 hits, 11 earned runs and walked 26 batters in 82.2 innings.
She also is the Brownsville Veterans record holder for career strikeouts with 666.
“Her work ethic is just unparalleled to most people I’ve been associated with,” said Brownsville Veterans head coach Rayner Cardenas said. “She set numerous records, including the strikeout record for this campus. It’s just a tribute to her hard work, dedication and her love for the sport.”
Over the last four seasons, Cardenas has seen Valdez grow and says she was a big reason for the program becoming one of the most successful in the area in a short amount of time.
“She’s been here for four tremendous years and really helped turn this program around to be successful,” he said. “She earned everything she got. She doesn’t just work the three of four months during the season, she works year round.”
As Valdez closes the high school chapter of her career, she’ll continue to play softball at the NCAA Division I level at the University of Texas at San Antonio and has earned the respect of her teammates.
“Cassie will go on to play at the next level and I think it was a great opportunity that I got to catch for her for four years and more,” said Lady Chargers catcher Harley Morales. “It was just a privilege.”
Moving on will be hard for Valdez after she created some strong bonds, but she’s ready to start from the ground up in college.
“It was exciting coming in and Harley and I being the only two freshman and we knew we would do great things, and we did,” she said. “The girls letting me lead them has been a great opportunity, just being with them and making memories — it’s fun.”
“Now (going to college), it’s huge and completely different from high school. It’s going to be fun competing for positions, working hard and waking up early. I can’t wait.”
2018 All-Metro Softball Team
MVP
Cassie Valdez, Brownsville Veterans
Offensive Player of the Year
Alex Castro, Lopez
Defensive Player of the Year
Harley Morales, Brownsville Veterans
Pitcher of the Year
Mia Anzaldua, Brownsville Veterans
Newcomer of the Year
Allison Gonzalez, Port Isabel
Coach of the Year
Rayner Cardenas, Brownsville Veterans
First Team
Pitcher: Christa Valdez, Port Isabel
Catcher: Abbygale Garcia, Hanna
First base: Savannah Shank, Lopez
Second base: Valeria Ruiz, Brownsville Veterans
Shortstop: Reba Reyes; Los Fresnos
Third base: Liz Abete, Brownsville Veterans
Outfielders: Arianna Arceneaux, Hanna; Lorena Rodriguez, Lopez; Olivia Soliz Port Isabel
Utility/DP: Gabby Murchison, Port Isabel
Second Team
Pitcher: Savannah Borland, Pace
Catcher: Larissa Moody, Lopez
First base: Natanya Ramirez, Port Isabel
Second base: Becky Ibarra, Lopez
Shortstop: Sheng Martinez, Pace
Third base: Samantha Campos, Los Fresnos
Outfielders: Jocelyn Head, Brownsville Veterans; Gio Leal; Brownsville Veterans; Lynette Trejo, Porter
Utility/DP: Sarah Gomez, Brownsville Veterans