After losing the Class 6A state semifinal 3-2 to eventual state champion Pearland at McCombs Field in Austin, Emily Delgado stood composed as she addressed the media and a sea of purple and yellow behind her.
Delgado was poised despite losing an extremely close game and ending what could have been her last softball game, but that was Delgado all season, a leader, on the best team in the Valley loaded with talent.
Delgado is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s All-Area Softball MVP for the 22-23 season.
“When I first came in the program, I did not think I had it as much,” Delgado said of her leadership qualities. “But I definitely learned it from the girls that were there before me, so knowing it is noticed now and that I got to help other players is a great feeling.”
The Temple College commit shared District 32-6A’s MVP honors with Bethany Aguilar and Amira Rodriguez — deservedly so. Rodriguez and JoJo Montes tore it up as sophomores on a team loaded with senior talent.
Delgado won 23 games as a senior, picking up her last win in Game 2 of a Region IV-6A final against San Antonio East Central to punch San Benito’s ticket to the state tournament.
Delgado will remember her time at San Benito fondly.
“It was definitely a good career,” Delgado said. “I met so many good players, so many great people and lots of friendships that I am going to miss. If I could do it all over again, I would.”
Delgado struck out more than 150 batters in the circle this season to go along with her 23 wins. Delgado usually batted third for the Greyhounds and led the team in hits going into the regional final series with 67, batting .486 with 61 RBIs.
Delgado contemplated joining the U.S. Navy as the season came to a close, but college softball was too much for Delgado to turn down. In early July, Delgado signed with Temple College to play junior college softball next season.