KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LYFORD — Two years ago, Lyford meet Santa Gertudis in the Class 3A regional quarterfinals. The Lady Lions ended Lyford’s season that year, and now both clubs are set for their rematch this weekend in Round 3.

In 2017, Santa Gertudis lost in the state final to Little River Academy. In 2018, Santa Gertrudis won the UIL state championship with an 8-3 win over Hughes Springs.

Needless to say, Lyford will have its hands full this weekend when it takes on the defending state champs in a best-of-three series starting Friday at Edcouch Elsa, with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Game 2 will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes after Game 2. Both games will be played at Freer.

“Knowing that they are the district champs and defending state champs,” Lyford coach Joey Rios said. “Playing them in the past and us knowing that we would meet up in the third round, we knew that there would be some bumps in the road and this is one of them, and now we have a choice. Its either we get over the hump or we fold.”

There are three players on the roster who were on that 2017 team. Karla Medina, Jerrica Rojas and Jessica Cruz were on that team, and they got a taste of the third round.

“Now that we know they won state and we are a bit older now, we feel that we can compete with them,” Rojas said. “Honestly, I feel this is one of the biggest series of my career. We are undefeated, and I’m positive if we can play our game we like we have been we can get it done.”

Rio Hondo, meanwhile, is back in the third round for a third straight year. The Lady Bobcats will tangle with Sinton in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals in a best-of-three series starting at 7 p.m. Friday in Rio Hondo.

Games 2 and 3 will be played at Sinton. Game 2 will be at 5 p.m., and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes after.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to raise our game yet again,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “Our kids have shown outstanding resolve and are a dugout full of believers.”

Sinton enters the series having never played Rio Hondo in the postseason. The Lady Pirates, like Rio Hondo, won their district and enter the series on a roll. Sinton managed to sweep Raymondville during the first round and followed it with a sweep of La Vernia over the weekend.

“Sinton has played very well and consistently throughout the season,” Esparza said. “So we have to be this new intense, focused and relentless team that has gradually grown stronger here in Rio Hondo.”

Harlingen South will square off against PSJA North in what will be a Valley regional quarterfinal matchup. The best-of-three series will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at PSJA North. Game 2 will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at Harlingen South, and Game 3 will follow 30 minutes after if needed.

The Lady Raiders have been the Cinderella story this postseason. PSJA North is in unfamiliar territory under first-year coach Stephanie Lugo. The Lady Raiders swept Laredo Alexander during the first round, and followed it by edging perennial power Weslaco High in three games.

“They have a lot of speed as a team,” South coach Elias Martinez said. “We need to neutralize their team speed when they get on base. That is one thing they do well, and they also have a lot of power. They present a lot of different challenges to us, and now it’s just a matter of executing during the game and (seeing) who can handle the pressure and can make the routine play.”

The Lady Hawks are back in the third round for a third straight year and are looking to get back to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the past three years.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LYFORD — The Lyford Lady Bulldogs’ historic season remains one of the better feel-good stories of the softball season.

Lyford is 34-0 and will square off against Santa Gertrudis Academy in a best-of-three series in the Class 3A regional quarterfinals.

Behind the Lady Bulldogs’ attack has been the steady play of their freshman class. Haley Pena, Mikeala Lopez, Alyssa Garcia and Tiffani Alaniz have checked in a solid showing this postseason.

The two shined in their playoff debuts against Corpus Christi London during the bi-district round. Against London, Pena went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.

“It hit me that I was on the varsity when we played our first playoff game,” Pena said. “It was scary and nerve-wracking that first inning, but once we got things going we knew we would be OK, and now that we have playoff games under our belts we feel confident.”

Against Mathis, the young duo that bats at the top of the order — Pena bats second and Lopez bats cleanup — had another strong showing. Pena and Lopez collected three hits each. Lopez drove in a team-high four runs, and Pena drove in two.

“Having Jerrica bat in front of me motivates me to do well,” Lopez said. “She will back me up, and it is great to be a part of a lineup that picks each other up.”

Lopez is batting .568 this season with 60 RBIs, 16 doubles and 51 hits. Pena, meanwhile, is slashing .532 with 42 hits, 35 RBIs, four triples and 50 runs scored.

The freshman duo, which is born and raised in Lyford, has played softball all its lives. In fact, two years ago it witnessed the Lyford-Santa Gertrudis series.

Two years later, the two are now on the team and have an opportunity to take on the defending state champions.

“Coming into the playoffs it was nerve-wracking, but like Haley said, after that first inning we are able to shake off the nerves,” Lopez said. “We feel we have the pieces in play and have put it all together. When we went up there to watch the series we found it interesting, knowing that one day we might be there playing against them, and here we are. We have a chance to show them what we can do.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The search for a new boys basketball coach is over for Harlingen High.

On Tuesday, Harlingen CISD named Clayton Cretors as Harlingen High’s new coach, replacing longtime coach Greg Yates, who retired earlier this year.

“He has been a staple of the community and for Harlingen High School for just about 10 years now,” HCISD interim athletic director Luis Solorio said. “He has always done a phenomenal job on representing the district well and he did exceptional in the interview. You can tell he is a coach’s son and has matured very well, and he is a proven winner and was a great athlete.”

Cretors served as an assistant on the varsity basketball team and was the boys junior varsity coach for the past several years. Also, he is on the football coaching staff.

“It is quite the honor. Harlingen CISD is a tremendous district and has so many great athletes that have come through here,” Cretors said by telephone. “To be named head coach of this program is an honor, and I’m humbled and I’m excited to get to work.”

Cretors, who graduated from Harlingen High in 2002, felt there was no question about whether he was going to apply for the job when it opened earlier this year.

“As soon as the job opened up, I knew I was going to apply for it,” Cretors said. “I checked the internet daily to see when it would open up, and when it did I took advantage of it pretty quickly and put my name in the hat, and waited to see if I was able to get an interview. But there was no question in my mind, this was something I wanted to do and this was an opportunity that I wanted.”

The Cardinals finished the season with a 23-14 overall record and went 7-3 in District 32-6A. Harlingen High reached the playoffs but lost to Weslaco High in the bi-district round this past winter.

“We are excited to play, and we will have a lot of energy,” Cretors said. “It will be a team that is passionate when we get on the court, and we will still have our expectations high like we always have had. We will be working hard and will have high goals just like we have had in the past.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — There seems to be some kind of magic when Harlingen South plays at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Field.

The past two years, the Lady Hawks have walked away with dramatic playoff wins and Harlingen South found that magic again Saturday.

The Lady Hawks overcame a four-run deficit, leaning on the bats of Kayla Rogers and Christina Arellano in an 8-6 win over Eagle Pass to take the one-game playoff in the Class 6A area round.

“Honestly, I was shaky at first,” Rogers said. “I was hoping I wouldn’t mess up. I asked my mom to pray with me and I just kept my composure, and I couldn’t have done it without my parents or my teammates. They were the ones that kept me going and believing in me.”

Harlingen South is back in the third round for a third straight year. South will meet PSJA North with the time and place to be decided.

“What happened was the jitters, we have a young ballclub and the jitters got us in the beginning,” South coach Elias Martinez said. “In softball there is always adversity and its how you handle it and our girls handled it with class like we always do. We just kept plugging away.”

Harlingen South held an 8-6 lead in the sixth inning when Eagle Pass’ Brooke Diaz hit a two-run home run with one out. The home run was called back, though, as the runner on second was judged to have left the base early and called for the second out. One pitch later, Diaz flew out to left field to end the threat.

“Yes, she left early, and we had been telling the officials all game that their runners were leaving the base early,” Martinez said. “So they were looking at it and they caught it that time. That is why we have officials.”

Said South pitcher Iliana Saucedo, “When I saw the ball leave, I thought, ‘Oh no, now we have to come back.’ I was confident either way. I knew we would come back. I didn’t sweat it. The umpire was waiving his hands up and said no play, so I just started jumping and screaming. It was crazy.”

Eagle Pass jumped on South starter Kylie Ruiz for a four-run first inning. Eagle Pass’ biggest lead was 5-3 during the third inning.

The big inning was the fourth inning. After back-to-back singles from Arellano and Kelsey Rivera, Rogers drove in two runs on a triple and scored on an errant throw to give South its first lead at 6-5.

“Coach sent me home. I was shocked because I saw the catcher with the ball, but once she missed it I knew I was safe at third. But then I saw the catcher didn’t have control, so with a gut feeling I ran home,” Rogers said.

Arellano is no stranger to Cabaniss’ field or big moments. She laced a two-run double that gave South an 8-6 lead during the fifth inning. Arellano finished the night 2-for-3 with one run and two RBIs. Rogers went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt, three RBIs and one run scored.

“Anytime we meet up with Eagle Pass something crazy is going to happen,” Martinez said. “That is just how it is with Eagle Pass, and their coach is a good friend of mine. He is very intense and I’m very intense, and it is all on the field and our girls respond to that, and I couldn’t be more proud of our girls.”

Ruiz went 2 1/3 innings in the circle, and Saucedo entered in relief during the third inning. Saucedo finished the game, keeping the Eagle Pass offense off balance. Saucedo went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, one walk and one run.

She also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a single and a triple.

“I was nervous coming into the game and I’m never nervous, but today’s game was stomach-turning for me,” Saucedo said. “I thought there was a possibility that I’d come in and pitch, and I just stayed ready for it. The coaches just wanted me to keep the ball low, and as the game went on I gained confidence.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO GRANDE CITY — Neither a change in location nor a one-hour delay slowed Laredo United.

During the top of the seventh inning, Kaila Ramos drove in Eva Garcia with a single and it proved to be the go-ahead run as the Lady Longhorns stunned the Lady Greyhounds 2-1, winning their one-game playoff in the Class 6A area round Friday night.

The one-game playoff was moved from Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway earlier in the day because of weather.

United advances to the third round and will meet the Edinburg Vela-PSJA High winner.

Senior pitcher Kelly Salinas kept the Lady ’Hounds’ offense at bay. The senior righty threw a five-hit complete game, striking out six and allowing one run.

The Lady ’Hounds left eight runners on base, including during a key spot in the sixth when San Benito had runners on first and second. In the top of the seventh, San Benito put runners on first and second base, but a game-ending double play ended the attempted rally.

San Benito’s lone run came in the fourth inning, when AJ Jasso slid safely at home after a dropped third strike on Kate Garza for the second out of the inning.

“We had a lot of obstacles and had a lot of things that didn’t go our way,” San Benito coach Denise Lira said. “In a close game like tonight and us being in the second round in a lot of areas, it is tough. There is still a lot of emotions from being in the playoffs. It is a different opponent, a new field, and we had to change our site at the last minute, but that is no excuse. We just need to play.”

Senior Sarah Garcia took the ball for the Lady ’Hounds. Despite having not started a game in more than one month, she was sharp, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing eight hits and two runs.

“Sarah is an amazing athlete overall, and then you talk about her pitching and her composure and leadership as a senior,” Lira said. “I had her for two years, and I’m sure she played at a high level her freshman and sophomore years, so as a junior and senior I felt she deserved a start. And she was one of our top pitchers and is always going to be one of our top pitchers, and she just controls the circle so well and she is composed, and the girls play well behind her.”

San Benito will graduate five seniors, including Garcia, Jasso, Nana Carrizales, Steph Lopez and April Garcia. A few key pieces are expected to return to the San Benito roster in 2020, including Jordan Ramos, Megan Cavazos, Jaelynn Huerta and Kari Cisneros.

“The girls are very unique, and each brings a piece to our puzzle,” Lira said. “They picked up their leadership skills and maturity throughout the year, and I think they grew not only as seniors but grew and helped our program stay at the top of the district.”

ROY HESS | Staff Writer

The annual East-West Senior All-Star Soccer Showcase presented by the Rio Grande Valley Soccer Coaches Organization exists for one purpose in particular.

The aim of the event is to attract college recruiters to the boys and girls matches with the hope that the players might have a chance to gain a scholarship and extend their soccer careers playing at the next level after high school.

Over the years, the RGVSCO has been successful with that objective as college recruiters have been turning out for the event and can be seen talking to players after the matches.

This year’s 12th annual Showcase is scheduled to start with the girls match at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Hidalgo’s Bill Pate Stadium. The boys game will follow the girls match at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The ones coaching the East and West teams are grateful for the chance to be involved.

“First of all, it’s an honor,” said Edinburg High girls soccer coach Cerjio “Coach Eli” Elizarraraz, who is directing the East girls squad along with coach Art Chavez of PSJA Memorial. “I appreciate the organization for giving me the opportunity. I also want to thank Coach Chavez for allowing us to use PSJA Memorial’s facilities for our practices for the East girls and helping me coach the team as well.

“All we are doing is helping promote the sport of soccer in the Valley,” he added. “Hopefully we can get one more player to play at the college level. We normally have college scouts present. We also want these seniors to experience an all-star game atmosphere and just come together as a group to showcase their talents.”

The West girls will be coached by J.J. Lopez of Sharyland Pioneer and Pat Arney of McAllen High.

For the boys, the coaches for the East are Luis Cardenas of Edinburg High and Andres Sanchez of Donna North. Coaching the West boys are Juan Hernandez of La Joya Palmview and Alex Saenz of Roma.

Teams for the East will be composed of players from Brownsville to Pharr. The West squads will consist of players from McAllen, Hidalgo and all the way out to Roma.

One year ago, the Showcase was played at the artificial turf practice field at Los Fresnos High School. The East girls won 3-1 and the West boys triumphed 3-2.

The West boys and girls have dominated the series. For example, two years ago when the event took place at Valley View with Class 6A and sub-6A boys and girls matches, the West won all four games.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

BROWNSVILLE — It took 11 innings for either starting pitcher to surrender a run.

Calallen’s Kat Flores broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single and one batter later Lauren Mata provided some insurance as Calallen squeezed past Brownsville Veterans Memorial 2-0 in 11 innings in Game 1 of a best-of-three series Thursday night in the Class 5A area round.

“ The way we lost the lead in that last inning, we gave up those two runs and after battling for so long the fact the way these girls never quit,” said Lady Chargers coach Rayner Cardenas. “We were able to load the bases in the last inning and we battled till the end and we showed a lot of character.”

The Lady Wildcats will host Brownsville Vets today at 4:30 p.m. with an opportunity to complete the series sweep. If needed, Game 3 will be played 30 minutes after Game 2.

In the circle both Veteran’s Mia Anzaldua and Calallen’s junior Lizette Del Angel were sharp and dominated in the circle. Anzaldua finished the night with 21 strikeouts, five hits, four walks and two runs, while Del Angel finished with 13 strikeouts on nine hits in the complete game shutout win.

Both Del Angel and Anzaldua went the complete 11 innings.

Anzaldua began the night by striking out the first six batters she faced and also managed to strikeout the side five different times.

Heading into today’s Game 2, the question will be if Anzaldua will be able to take the circle after an 11-inning game and her pitch count also high.

“ We had discussions on how far we go with Mia,” Cardenas said. “But we had to win this game and we will see what happens tomorrow. We will talk with her and talk with the parents and we will see what we need to do. It is a part of the managing of the pitching, but no one expected to go 11 innings tonight.”

Despite the questions heading into today’s Game 2, Cardenas is fully confident in Anzaldua if she is available.

“ If anyone can do it, it is her. To come back tomorrow and get us two wins — it is going to be her.” Cardenas said.

The Lady Chargers missed out on multiple scoring opportunities and left 13 runners on base. BVM left runners on second and third in the sixth and were able to rally late in the 11th inning by loading the bases.

“ I like the fact that we didn’t quit and it says a lot about the girls,” Cardenas said. “When you play tough teams like this and you are in the playoffs every mistake gets magnified. They become critical especially when you have two really good teams playing against each other.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI—The Lyford Lady Bulldogs continue to play well in the playoffs.

Jerrica Rojas collected four hits and Mikeala Lopez drove in four runs as Lyford cruised to a 16-0 win in five innings over Mathis in Game 1 of their best-of-three area playoff series Wednesday night at Cabaniss Field.

Lyford now holds the series lead 1-0 and will have an off day Thursday before returning back to Cabaniss Friday at 7 p.m. with an opportunity to sweep the series.

If needed, Game 3 will be played Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

“Our girls came out strong and performed to the best of their ability,” said Lyford coach Joey Rios. “That is all I can ask for.”

Lyford wasted no time on offense. The Lady Bulldogs scored six runs in the first inning followed by a three-run second, four-run third and then put a bow on the game with one run in the fifth.

Hailey Pena and Lopez each collected three hits.

In the circle, Rojas threw five shutout innings, yielding two hits and struck out nine in Wednesdays night’s win.

“The bats were hot, our defense made plays and Jerrica stayed focused in the circle,” Rios said. “I’m extremely proud of tonight’s performance, but it is far from over.”

KEVIN NARRO | STAFF WRITER

Entering the 2019 season, Brownsville Veterans Memorial returned 10 seniors to their club and were presented with high expectations.

One main question entering the season was who was going to replace four-year starting catcher Harley Morales.

The Lady Chargers did not have to look any further than freshman Natalie Mendoza.

Mendoza has stepped into the starting role and has thrived both at the plate and behind the dish calling the balls and strikes for senior pitcher Mia Anzaldua.

“Maybe she is too young to know how big the catching position was to fill,” said Lady Chargers coach Rayner Cardenas. “She has been working hard since Day 1 and works hard on her own. She handled the role and how she calls the pitches beautifully. She has gone above and beyond our expectations but she has worked for everything she has.”

Mendoza began playing softball five years ago and feels she got a late start to the sport.

Born and raised in Brownsville, Mendoza was bound to be a Lady Charger. She began watching her older brother Michael Mendoza play for the Chargers’ baseball team, where he too was on the varsity as a freshman.

Mendoza quickly fell in love with the idea of one day playing for the Lady Chargers.

“I grew up watching my brother play,” she said. “That is when I knew ‘Wow, this is my sport.’ I started playing softball in middle school and I played select ball with the Shockers.”

Mendoza began her career at third base and when her fifth-grade team needed a catcher, Mendoza’s father encouraged her to give it a try and she would ultimately transition.

One trait that Mendoza naturally has is her leadership, which is needed to play the catcher’s position.

“My dad knew I had the attitude to play the catcher’s position, it is definitely a leadership role and that is why I love this position so much.”

Behind every great pitcher is a great catcher and Mendoza has been behind the plate all year for the Lady Chargers, witnessing multiple no hitters and perfect games off the arm of senior pitcher Anzaldua, who has had a record-breaking year.

The two began their relationship through summer ball when Mendoza was in eighth grade.

Not only did Mendoza have to build a relationship with Anzaldua but also adjust to the speed at the varsity level.

“It is a whole different level,” she said. “I knew I had to raise my game quick, I wasn’t worried but I was just like wow, this is a whole new level but I knew it was what I was working for. I knew I had to be on point with her pitches and what pitches to call and we just grew a connection and it has been awesome. To be able to sit back there and watch Mia pitch is unique.”

While it took some time for the two to build chemistry and be on the same page, Mendoza has called the balls and strikes with mastery.

She’s also excelled at the plate.

In her playoff debut this past weekend, she notched her first playoff win, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs.

On the year, she has produced at the plate with a .386 batting average, 34 hits, 10 doubles, four homers, 33 RBIs and 34 runs.

“We went to tournaments and we played against some really tough teams and from those games, she was our best hitter,” Cardenas said. “She is able to handle the three pitchers that we have and at that point, we knew we were going to be alright. Her game behind the plate is solid. Everything you can ask for, she has it. With her small size we were worried about her offense, but she has been our second or third best hitter this year and has been consistent.”

Mendoza and the Lady Chargers will continue their playoff run tonight at 6 p.m. when they host Calallen in Game 1 of a best-of-three series in the Class 5A area round.

“It was amazing being able to get a taste of the playoffs,” she said. “There were a little bit of butterflies in my stomach but I just wanted to get out there and play and help my team.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — With the calendar flipping to the month of May, Rio Hondo is still playing softball.

Playing softball into the month of May is something the Lady Bobcats have made a habit of, and with a new-look outfield Rio Hondo is getting the same results but with different names.

The strong sophomore class has taken the next step and is becoming a complete unit, much like Rio Hondo’s strong senior class from 2017.

While sophomores Abbie Torris, Kelsey Pizarro and Domo De Jesus have all established themselves in the program, the outfield that has been in turnover this offseason has begun to take shape and is quickly beginning to emerge this postseason.

Sophomores Emma Serna, Savanna Gonzalez, De Jesus and freshman Alexis Rhyner make up the outfield. All had a hand in their series win over Orange Grove last week.

De Jesus, who is just a sophomore, has plenty of playoff experience and, in fact, she drove in the winning run during last year’s playoff game against Devine. De Jesus, who had been struggling at the plate, broke the game open with a two-run double Saturday in Game 3 against Orange Grove. De Jesus serves as the veteran outfielder and has made the transition from playing the middle infield to center field.

“I had never played center field before, and when I made the move the first thing coach told me was to communicate in the outfield,” De Jesus said. “Making the adjustment wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I had to cover more ground as a center fielder, that was probably the biggest struggle.”

Gonzalez and Rhyner have been a pleasant surprise this postseason. Against Orange Grove in Game 1, Rhyner had a pinch-hit leadoff single in the sixth inning that helped spark a rally. Three batters later, Gonzalez drove in the two go-ahead runs that helped Rio Hondo claim Game 1.

Rhyner, who spent the majority of the year on the junior varsity, got the callup late in the season and began playing as a pinch runner, and she is now getting reps in the outfield. Rhyner is taking in the playoff run as it comes, and despite the inexperience Rhyner displays a cool and calm approach.

“The speed of the game was a lot quicker from JV to varsity,” Rhyner said. “The pitching speed for sure, and just the course of the game was a lot faster. Here at the varsity level these pitchers are not going to walk you, for the most part. It finally hit me that I was on the varsity when I got that hit against Orange Grove in Game 1. Everyone was excited and being in that kind of atmosphere was really exciting.”

Gonzalez, who also is coming into her own, has provided the Lady ’Cats with speed and the ability to get on base at the top of the Rio Hondo order.

“Coach Esparza and I worked on some hitting drills and we worked on some things, and I’m seeing those drills pay off,” Gonzalez said. “I know what I was doing wrong and now I know how to fix it, and now that I have some playoff games under my belt I feel I’m ready to get things going.”

With the young crop of outfielders, Rio Hondo may just now have all the pieces in play to continue its postseason run. It’s the same song, different verse for the Lady ’Cats, something Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza has seen during the past few seasons.

The most intriguing part is Gonzalez, Rhyner, De Jesus and Serna are all infielders by trade and have made the move to the outfield.

“I really feel that we have come a long way, and it sounds cliché but we really have,” Esparza said. “We knew the ability was always in these kids, it was just a matter of tapping into the athletic ability of these kids, and they are really shining at the right time. And we are peaking, and we are better last week than when we won the district, and we are moving in the right direction and playing solid defense and learning how to be a mentally tough team at the right time.”