KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN—-Sophomore first baseman Alyssa Ledesma is back in the playoffs for a second straight year.
As a freshman, Ledesma made an instant impact both at the plate and at first base. Ledesma wasn’t fazed by having large shoes to fill left behind by Ashley Reyna, who played the position before her.
Now in her second year, Ledesma has picked up where she left off and isn’t slowing down. The lefty hitter is swatting .306 at the dish with 30 hits and 23 runs.
Ledesma will make her Sweet 16 debut tonight at 7 p.m. in a best-of-three series against New Braunfels Canyon at Tuloso-Midway High School in Corpus Christi.
The Valley Morning Star got a chance to catch up with the Lady Hawk.
Q: This is your first time reaching the Sweet 16 as a sophomore, how much does that mean to you?
Ledesma: It truly means a lot to me. To be a part of something this big that my team and I have accomplished and to see all of our hard work pay off is amazing.
Q: As a freshman, you quickly jumped into the starting role at first base, what were some adjustments you made when you got to the varsity?
Ledesma: Coming in as a freshman, I knew things were going to be different; I had to change my mindset. High school ball and summer ball are two different things and I quickly realized that. Before I only played first base a few times, so adjusting to that was challenging, but I managed. With everything else, my team helped me feel comfortable.
Q: What is your game day routine?
Ledesma: My game day routine starts off with me waking up to a specific song that I put as my alarm. I then do everything the same as I do everyday. After that, I have my mom do my braids before I go to school. When my mom finishes my braids, I then put on the bow that goes with the uniform we will be wearing. After that, I spray a specific perfume on and head to Chick Fil A to get breakfast. Later on, during lunch, if my dad is able to bring me food, it has to be Chick Fil A. After school, we take some cuts at the fields before the game and my left shoelace has to be inside my shoe, but my right one has to be outside. I then do my hair bubbles and if I can’t, Kelsey has to be the one to do them for me. Before the game, I have to listen to a certain playlist. Lastly, when I’m putting my cleats on, my left cleat has to be double knotted, but my right one has to be single knotted.
Q: What is the most challenging part about playing first?
Ledesma: The most challenging part about first is definitely when I have to dig out some of the throws. They aren’t always perfect and even the short hops aren’t always great.
Q: If you could pick another sport what would you play?
Ledesma: If I could pick another sport to play, it would volleyball. It’s such a fast pace and intense sport.
Q: What is your go-to order at Whataburger?
Ledesma: My go to order at Whataburger is the No.5 plain and dry with a Powerade. It is another way of saying a burger with cheese and bacon.
Q: What are you currently binge watching on Netflix?
Ledesma: I am currently binge watching the show “The Flash.”
Q: Tell us something about yourself that we might not know?
Ledesma: I am very superstitious. I have to do things the exact same way as I did before.
Q: What is the most expensive thing you have broken?
Ledesma: When I was younger, my older sister had gotten a new laptop for her birthday. As usual, I was clowning around with it and spilled my Capri Sun all over the keyboard. After that, not only was the keyboard not working but it wouldn’t turn on. To this day, my sister still hasn’t used it.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
Ledesma: It has to be former Michigan standout Sierra Romero; she is my role model. She’s a hardworking softball player who leaves it all out on the field. She inspires me to reach for the stars, dream big and work hard to make that dream become a reality.