By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — At practice Wednesday, the Harlingen South Lady Hawks scrimmaged against each other in preparation for their game today against Brownsville Rivera after defeating Donna North on Tuesday night.
“This district is definitely a gauntlet,” first-year Lady Hawks coach Jose Rios said. “I think it could be anybody’s game. You got to show up every night, and you got to do the little things right because details matter. If you can minimize your errors and execute, you will come out victorious.”
The defending District 32-6A co-champion Lady Hawks cruised to a 15-0 win against Donna North and are now 3-1 in district play.
“We started off rough with the Cardinals loss,” senior pitcher Iliana Saucedo said. “I feel like we are going to pick up the momentum and get to where we want to be.”
Saucedo thinks the Lady Hawks always have a chance in a game despite what the scoreboard says.
“I think we do good coming back from behind,” she said. “There is never a time where I feel that we cannot come back in a game.”
One of the positives the Lady Hawks echoed is the chemistry on the team. Rios said the team’s strength is sticking together: “I got your six,” is one of their mantras.
“They believe in one another,” he said.
Senior pitcher Janyssa Ramos said the team does a really good job of communicating, a sign of good chemistry. Rios called Ramos and Saucedo both aces. Ramos is feeling confident on the mound this season.
“The one thing I try and do is make sure I do not show my emotions. I just try my best and keep myself going when I am up there,” Ramos said.
Third baseman Karyme Martinez is a big part of the offense, Rios said. The junior bats fifth in the lineup and has one home run to her name this season.
“I think our season is going good,” Martinez said. “We were off to a shaky start. We lost to a good team, but those things happen. I hope we come out strong (today) and keep it going.”
Rivera is coming off a 10-0 loss to Brownsville Hanna on Tuesday, but the Lady Raiders have competed well against teams in the district.
“This district is the toughest,” Rios said. “Respect to all the other teams and districts, but this is the toughest district by far. Every game is a battle, game in, game out.”