Dakota Martinez, Los Fresnos
Offensive Player of the Year
The ball sailed off the bat of Los Fresnos’ Dakota Martinez this season.
Martinez smashed 22 home runs for a Falcons team that finished third in District 32-6A and won a bi-district playoff game.
Martinez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Offensive Player of the Year.
“I think it was a blessing to get all of this strength — to continue to be able to play softball and develop my skills,” Martinez said.
Martinez drove in 70 runs to go with her 22 home runs. Martinez finished the season with a .608 batting average on 59 hits. Martinez was a multi-sport athlete at Los Fresnos and will continue her softball career at Texas A&M Kingsville.
“I am going to miss playing high school sports a lot,” Martinez said.
Amira Rodriguez, San Benito
Defensive Player of the Year
San Benito’s Amira Rodriguez was one of the most talented all-around players in the RGV this season.
The sophomore shortstop and pitcher was a monster at the plate, but also emerged as one of the best pitchers and fielders in the Valley.
Rodriguez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Defensive Player of the Year.
Rodriguez created a one-two punch with Emily Delgado in the circle. Rodriguez, Delgado and Bethany Aguilar shared the District 32-6A MVP award, and Rodriguez was also an honorable mention pitcher on the TSWA’s All-State team.
Rodriguez has glaring arm strength and went on to win 16 games, including important games deep in the playoffs.
“My first game back I was pretty nervous,” Rodriguez said. “But I just slowly got over it, and just went in there to try and do my job.”
Rodriguez struck out more than 140 batters this season and picked up 16 wins while also playing a key role defensively at shortstop on one of the best teams in the state.
“I know I can get better,” Rodriguez said. “Two years is pretty long. I know I can grow in pitching, hitting and defense.”
Frei Pizarro, Rio Hondo
Newcomer of the Year
Rio Hondo’s Frei Pizarro had a breakout season as a freshman for the Bobcats.
Pizarro statistically was the best player for the Bobcats. She batted .636, hit seven home runs and won 10 games in the circle for Rio Hondo in 2023.
Pizarro is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star All-Area Softball Newcomer of the Year.
“It was a good season. I really liked it and my teammates a lot,” Pizarro said about her first year of varsity softball. “The season was not the outcome we wanted. We should have made it further in the playoffs, but I think we all played hard and tried our best.”
Pizarro and the Bobcats were eliminated in the second round by Hebbronville.
Pizarro is a multi-sport athlete at Rio Hondo. The underclassman is a state qualifier in powerlifting with a 395-pound deadlift and 320-pound squat at state during the middle of softball season.
Elias Martinez, San Benito
Coach of the Year
San Benito head softball coach Elias Martinez’s resumé and legacy continues to grow.
Martinez took another Greyhounds team to the state tournament this season, the third trip of his career. They were a constant presence near the top of polls this season, as they won 40 games and the Region IV-6A championship and various other titles from the playoffs and District 32-6A.
Martinez is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Softball Coach of the Year.
“We had a great season from where we started to where we finished,” Martinez said. “A lot of people were surprised with a lot of the things that we accomplished this year, but San Benito Lady ‘Hounds softball always strives to be the best.”
Martinez said the motto at San Benito is to always be the last team standing in the Valley.
“We are so proud of our girls and of our community that was always there for us,” Martinez said. “When we went to the state tournament the whole Valley was there rooting for us, it was phenomenal. Again, it is a complement to our girls that put in the work; because of that and being very coachable, that is why we were able to get to where we were at.”
Martinez was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame this past summer.
All-Area Team
JoJo Montes, San Benito; Elyssa Ruvio, San Benito; Bethany Aguilar, San Benito; Kate Perez, Los Fresnos; Ella Sulkazi, Los Fresnos; Tania Rodriguez, Los Fresnos; Madison Vargas, Harlingen High; Lilly Rocha, Harlingen High; Athena Linnartz, Harlingen High; Jenny Shank, Brownsville Lopez; Ariana Lezama, Brownsville Lopez; Karyme Martinez, Harlingen South; Lexi Sandoval, Harlingen South; Itzel Rodriguez, Brownsville Veterans; Alexis Tamez, Brownsville Veterans; BeAnka Galan, La Feria; Sabrina Azua, La Feria; Trinity Villalobos, Lyford; Victoria Lopez, Lyford