By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Passion, relentless and tough are a few words to describe Harlingen South senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales.

Gonzales has grown up around the sport of softball and has played countless games through travel ball and at the high school level.

However, her first love wasn’t softball; in fact, it was baseball. Gonzales began her career playing baseball and made the switch to softball when she was 12 years old.

“I fell in love with baseball, that is what I did my whole life, but I made the switch over to softball because when I got to high school I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play baseball,” she said.

A few years later, it is safe to say Gonzales made the right choice, and she is having one of her best seasons yet.

Gonzales who played catcher early in her high school career, moved back to the shortstop position — her natural position — her junior year.

“I have always loved the shortstop position,” she said. “That was a position my brother loved, too, and that was the position he played, and because of him I wanted to play that position, too. I always wanted to be like him.”

Gonzales has the tools to be an elite shortstop, and coach Elias Martinez has seen those tools firsthand. What makes the relationship special is that Gonzales is part of Martinez’s first graduating class.

“When she came in as a freshman, that was my first year here at Harlingen South,” Martinez said, “I have seen her grow and mature in so many ways. Her parents have done a great job on raising her, and she is very respectful. Then you throw in her athleticism … that is a pretty good combo.”

Gonzales, who bats third in a potent Lady Hawks lineup, is batting .536, with 15 hits, four doubles and 19 runs through 10 district games this season.

She has helped the Lady Hawks earn another playoff berth and again is in a familiar spot: the postseason. Gonzales has plenty of playoff experience, along with a Sweet 16 experience her sophomore year and a trip to the third round her junior year.

“I feel good right now. I had a few errors against Hanna, but those are some things I’m trying to fix so I make sure they don’t happen in the playoffs,” Gonzales said. “The playoff runs are fun, and these runs are something you will see at the college level, and those things are preparing me for the college level.”

With her time in a Lady Hawks uniform winding down, Gonzales owes her career and work ethic to her dad and also to her older brother, Anjel Gonzales, who is on the coaching staff as a student coach.

“My brother and dad have really pushed me to better myself,” Gonzales said. “They both work with me in the offseason, especially my brother. He worked with me throughout the summers on hitting and fielding, and growing up I always wanted to be like him.”

Gonzales and the Lady Hawks will kick off their postseason journey at 7 tonight in a best-of-three series at Edinburg North.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — Senior Jasmine Rangel always had her heart set on running at the college level.

Rangel, a multi-sport athlete, signed to run cross country and track at Western Texas on Tuesday.

“There are a lot of nerves because today I know I have made my family, friends and Rio Hondo proud,” Rangel said. “I’m so grateful to see all the support here today.”

Rangel qualified for the regional meet later this week and feels that with her signing complete, she can focus on the regional with the hope that she can punch her ticket to the state meet.

“I have a clear state of mind, now I can focus on the regional meet,” Rangel said.

Rangel, who also played basketball and soccer, is following in the footsteps of her mother, who also ran at Rio Hondo and went on to run at St. Edwards University.

“Ever since I was a little kid, this was a goal for me,” Rangel said. “My mom also ran here in Rio Hondo and ran in college. So this is very special for myself and our family.”

Rangel will be running the two-mile and mile events at the regional meet. This year marks the fourth straight year Rangel will compete at the regional.

“She has been someone that the girls have always looked up too,” cross country coach Jose Jaramillo said. “From her freshman year, she was always out there running hard and trying to better herself. She never took a day off unless she got hurt, but even that wouldn’t stop her. She was just consistent.”

BY KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The regular season is wrapped up and the playoff picture is set, for the most part.

In District 32-6A, perennial powers Harlingen South and back-to-back district champion San Benito are prepared to make another playoff run.

Brownsville Hanna is back in the playoffs after a six-year absence, and Los Fresnos is back in the postseason after a small three-year drought.

Lyford, Rio Hondo and Brownsville Veterans Memorial all hoisted district titles again and are in position for another run.

Here is what is known.

Two of the longest tenured coaches in Elias Martinez and Richard Tressler will meet again when Harlingen South locks horns with Edinburg North, respectively, in a best-of-three series starting Wednesday at Edinburg North. Game 2 will be Thursday at Harlingen South, and Game 3, if needed, will be Friday at ENHS. All games are set for 7 p.m.

Los Fresnos clashed with Weslaco High in a one-game playoff Friday at Weslaco, with the first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Hanna will tangle with Edinburg Vela in a best-of-three series starting Thursday at Hanna. Game 2 will be played Friday at Vela and Game 3, if needed, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Vela. Games 1 and 2 are set for 7 p.m.

District champion San Benito is still awaiting its opponent out of District 31-6A. The Lady ’Hounds meet either Weslaco East or Edinburg High. Those two will have a play-in game at 7 p.m. Monday at Weslaco East.

In District 32-4A, it took the final day of the regular season to decide the fourth spot. Raymondville got past Zapata 13-1, and La Feria lost 9-0 to Rio Hondo. With the win, the Lady Bearkats are heading to the playoffs.

Port Isabel has a date with Beeville Jones in a one-game playoff at 7 p.m. Thursday at Kingsville King. Raymondville meets Sinton, with the time and location still to be decided. Zapata will meet Rockport-Fulton, and district champion Rio Hondo faces either Orange Grove or Ingleside.

In Class 5A, Brownsville Veterans will meet Sharyland High with the time and date to be decided.

In Class 3A, Lyford takes on either Corpus Christi London or San Diego. In Class 2A, Lasara clinched its first playoff berth in program history and meets Freer in a one-game playoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kingsville.

“Feeling of excitement throughout the team and school,” Lasara coach Rey Garza said via text about the fifth-year program reaching the playoffs for the first time. “Our seniors have taken a lot of pride in getting after it this season and punching a ticket into playoffs. These seniors were eighth-graders when softball program went UIL.

“This is a special group of girls, from our five seniors to our juniors, to our sophomore pitcher and catcher, to our freshman that are contributing. Been a team effort all season.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LOS FRESNOS—Junior centerfielder Reba Reyes has put together a strong junior campaign.

The hard-hitting righty has provided the Lady Falcons with a strong glove in center field and has produced at the plate.

Reyes is slashing .529 with a club-high 17 homers along with 42 RBIs. Reyes will be making her playoff debut Friday at Weslaco High in what will be a one-game playoff. Los Fresnos as a team is also back in the postseason for the first time in three years.

Q: What are you most excited about on making your playoff debut?

REYES: It has been several years since Los Fresnos Softball has made it to the playoffs and I’m so happy to be a part of this year’s playoff run. I’m most excited about the exposure, the challenge and competition we will face.

Q: You lead the team in homers with 17. Is this the most you’ve hit in a season?

REYES: Yes, 17 home runs in one season has been the most. I have a total of 27 high school career home runs. I pray that my bat stays on throughout our playoff run.

Q: You wear the No. 5. Is there any meaning behind the number?

REYES: Actually, my lucky number is 4, but that number hasn’t been available in my three years on varsity. So, No. 5 is closest to 4, so I took that number.

Q: Who is your pick to win the Woman’s College World Series?

REYES: I believe in Florida State.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?

REYES: Indeed I do. Some superstitions include me having to chew gum throughout the game and another is keeping my socks rolled down until we take the field.

Q: Talk about the growth the Rio Grande Valley has seen when it comes to softball?

REYES: The competition down here is fierce. There is so much talent circulating around the Valley. So many underclassmen are so amazing at the sport. It’s such a shame that the girls down here have to consistently travel up state to show what they are capable of. The Valley has so much softball talent waiting to be scouted.

Q: Tell us something about you that we might not know?

REYES: I have a fear of holes, Trypophobia.

Q: Who is the hardest pitcher you’ve faced and why?

REYES: I would have to go with Mia Anzaldua from Brownsville Veterans Memorial. Although they are not in our district, I’ve faced Mia at our travel ball team’s practice, RGV Heat, and I just have not yet been able to hit off of her. I enjoy the challenge though, it makes me want to work harder to eventually be capable of making contact off of her.

Q: What are you currently binge watching?

REYES: I don’t really watch many shows to be honest. A few shows though that have grabbed my attention were “On my Block” and “Riverdale” before. But as of right now, when I do decide to watch something, it’s either Major League Baseball or College Softball.

Q: What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever broken?

REYES: I was playing some ball inside with my sister at my grandma’s house, you know, a little game of indoor softball when we were younger, and I accidentally hit the ball straight to one of my grandma’s most expensive antique vases she’s ever owned. I shattered a price worth of around $550 to pieces.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LOS FRESNOS — San Benito needed every bit of muscle Thursday night against Los Fresnos.

Junior Kari Cisneros hit a two-run double that gave San Benito an early lead, and then senior AJ Jasso hit a three-run homer during the third inning that gave the Lady ’Hounds a comfortable lead they did not surrender in locking up their second straight district title with a 14-8 win over Los Fresnos.

The Lady ’Hounds also posted a five-run seventh inning, highlighted by Jaelynn Huerta’s two-run single and a two-run double from Jordan Ramos.

“Tonight’s game was a roller coaster, it was up and down,” San Benito coach Denise Lira said. “With our defense we had some miscues, our hitting came alive, and we had some great baserunning and hit the ball hard. (Jasso’s) homer gave us some breathing room, and we knew Los Fresnos was going to bring it.”

San Benito finishes the regular season with a 9-1 district record and will meet either Weslaco East or Edinburg High in the 6A bi-district round.

“The girls did a great job of refocusing when they weren’t focused, and we settled in as the game went on,” Lira said. “Tonight was more of the kids just wanting it, and for us to earn this is not easy. They worked really hard, and the younger girls wanted to do well for the seniors.”

Los Fresnos, meanwhile, is locked in as the third seed and returns to the playoffs for the first time in three years. The Lady Falcons likely will face Weslaco High in the bi-district round with the time and date to be decided.

“All we asked our girls was to just go out and play hard and get ready for the playoffs,” Los Fresnos coach Traci Blackman said. “This group of girls, this is their first time making the playoffs, the past few years we were close or tied for fourth, but it is exciting for the seniors who have been here all four years.”

On offense, Los Fresnos left nine runners on base. The Lady Falcons left the bases loaded during the third inning and runners on first and second in the sixth. At the plate, Sam Campos went 3-for-3 with three runs, one walk and one solo homer. Teammate Reba Reyes went 3-for-4 with a triple, two singles and two RBIs.

The Lady ’Hounds’ offense was fueled by Jasso’s 3-for-4 night, along with Ramos and Cisneros, who also went 3-for-4 at the plate.

“I knew it was gone, I was just going up there to the plate wanting to swing hard like Big Papi,” Jasso said.

Said Lira about the playoffs, “Everyone starts 0-0. We talk about how nothing is guaranteed, every week will be a new opponent, a new field and a new motion, so we will continue to take everything one thing at a time like we normally do.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

In District 32-6A, it will take the final day of the regular season to decide a champion.

One of those teams in the mix for the crown is San Benito, which took care of business with a 15-0 win in three innings against Brownsville Rivera on Tuesday.

San Benito used a four-run first inning, followed by a 10-run second inning.

The win puts the Lady ’Hounds in a position to win the district title outright tonight when they travel to Los Fresnos tonight at 6:30 p.m.

A San Benito loss and a Harlingen South win would then put both teams in a tie and wind up as co-champions.

Los Fresnos is currently the No. 3 seed, while Brownsville Hanna is locked in as the No. 4 seed.

LADY BOBCATS CHAMPS AGAIN

Rio Hondo rebounded with a 18-3 win over Progreso in three innings on Monday. Savanna Gonzalez led the offense with four hits, Kelsey Pizarro collected three hits and Domo De Jesus finished with two hits.

Port Isabel lost to Zapata 2-0 and settles the top three teams in the standings. With the Rio Hondo win and Port Isabel loss, the Lady ’Cats officially claimed their sixth straight district title.

Zapata will be the No. 2 seed and Port Isabel will be locked in as the No. 3 seed.

Meanwhile, Raymondville and La Feria both won Tuesday night and remain tied for the final playoff spot.

La Feria earned a 17-2 win over Grulla, while Raymondville was fueled by a pair of grand slams from Julissa Guerrero and Rachel Muniz as the Lady Bearkats cruised to a 20-7 win over Hidalgo.

La Feria travels to Rio Hondo, while Raymondville meets Zapata.

La Feria can clinch a playoff spot with a win and Raymondville loss. Raymondville meanwhile can secure a playoff spot with a win and La Feria loss.

Both games are slated for 7 p.m. tonight.

If both teams win or lose, it will result in a play-in game that will take place sometime next week.

THREE-PEAT

Brownsville Veterans won their third straight district title after a 12-1 win over Brownsville Lopez Tuesday night.

The Lady Charger offense scored in the first three innings.

The third inning was the big inning, with BVM plating seven runs.

The offense put together 12 runs on 12 hits. Cristina Gonzalez led the offense with three hits and three RBIs.

In the circle, Mia Anzaldua added to her strikeout total with eight punch outs through 5.0 innings pitched and yielding four hits on one run.

BVM will head into their regular season finale against Edcouch-Elsa.

LYFORD CLAIMS FOURTH STRAIGHT CROWN

The Lady Bulldogs historic season continues after picking up a 20-0 win over Edinburg Quest.

According to TGCA, Lyford is currently ranked fourth in the state with a 29-0 record.

Alyssa Garcia and Jerrica Rojas each collected three hits.

Hailey Pena drove in four runs as the offense collected 13 hits in the win.

Lyford will look to complete their perfect regular season tonight as they travel to Santa Rosa for a 6 p.m. game.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — After both teams swapped homers, Harlingen South trailed by two runs.

Then came the top of the fourth inning, which fueled South to a 15-4 win in six innings over Harlingen High, sweeping the season series.

South executed its offense with speed and took advantage of a pair of Harlingen High errors. Junior Kelsey Rivera tied the game with a RBI single, and two batters later senior Krystal Gonzales swatted a grand slam that gave South the lead and the momentum it needed.

The grand slam was a part of a seven-run inning.

The fourth inning was vintage Lady Hawks and is something skipper Elias Martinez is pleased with seeing late in the year.

“There is no weakness in our lineup, and in the sixth inning we added more runs,” Martinez said. “It is a matter of getting that swag back and getting ready for the playoffs.”

Gonzales finished the night 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs, five RBIs, a double and a solo homer.

“This is the first time I hit a grand slam and (another) homer in the same game,” Gonzales said. “I just trusted my eyes and my hands. I had been in a slump lately, so tonight was a great night to get things going.”

Gonzales wasn’t the only one who went yard. Freshman Iliana Saucedo hit a pair of homers and finished 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs. The offense, which is beginning to find its form, collected 14 hits on 15 runs. Rivera and leadoff hitter Natasha Canales also finished with a pair of hits.

“Everyone came out and did their job,” Gonzales said. “We were all struggling at first, but we were able to get the pitching down and then came our bats.”

South added six more runs during the sixth inning. Along with Saucedo’s two-run shot came a two-run triple from Canales.

Saucedo has now hit 12 homers on the year.

“I don’t remember, but I want to say this was my first multi-homer game this season,” Saucedo said. I have an aggressive approach at the plate, and if I’m ahead of the count I’m looking to swing. Right now as an offense we feel like we are gaining confidence heading towards the playoffs.”

Harlingen High came out swinging during the first inning. After a pair of base hits, April Garcia hit a three-run homer that gave the Lady Cardinals an early 3-1 lead. Garcia finished the night 1-for-2 with a pair of intentional walks.

The Lady Cards, who are eliminated from postseason play, will wrap up their season Thursday at Brownsville Rivera. Harlingen South, meanwhile, is still alive for a share of the District 32-6A title.

South will play host to Hanna on Thursday, and first-place San Benito is at Los Fresnos. South will need a win plus a San Benito loss to claim a share of the district title.

“We are getting our mojo back,” Martinez said. “We are getting that swagger back, and Harlingen put up heck of a fight and they gave us a test. Every game is full of adversity and it is how we react to it, and it is helping us tremendously as we get ready for the playoffs.”

By KEVIN NARRO, Staff Writer

Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior pitcher Mia Anzaldua made a little bit of history Friday night.

During the fourth inning, Anzaldua’s ninth strikeout — her 203rd of the season — broke the single-season record. The previous record was 202, held by former Lady Chargers pitcher Cassie Valdez. The crafty lefty threw five complete innings and struck out 13 batters, upping her season total to 207 strikeouts.

The next record is the career strikeout record held by Valdez with 666. Anzaldua is 40 strikeouts away from breaking that record.

“I saw this as a goal, but more than anything in my mind, it was whatever happens, happens. If I don’t, I don’t, I didn’t have anything to lose from it. I didn’t know about any of this record until the day of the game. My dad told me about the record when I broke it.”

On the night, Anzaldua yielded a solo home run and walked one. Along with the historic night, Brownsville Veterans cruised to a 15-1 win over Brownville Porter.

“This is what I have been working for my entire life,” she said. “I started out by just wanting to make the varsity as a freshman, and I set that goal to break records before I leave. This wasn’t possible without my catcher, Natalie Mendoza. Last year we had a senior catcher and we needed someone to step in, and she has done a great job on taking over and calling pitches.”

Anzaldua also set the single-season win record with her victory against Mercedes last week. The win against the Tigers was her 15th, breaking Valdez’s previous record of 14 in a season. Against Porter, Anzaldua collected her 17th win of the season.

RACE HEATS UP: Heading into the final week of the regular season, there is much to be decided. With San Benito, Harlingen South, Brownsville Hanna and Los Fresnos all clinching playoff spots, the district’s order will be settled this week.

San Benito picked up a 7-2 win over Hanna and remains in the driver seat with a 7-1 record. Harlingen South snapped its two-game skid with a 14-0 win over Brownsville Rivera and is in sole possession of second place with a 6-2 record.

Harlingen High threw a wrench into the district standings with a 15-13 win over Los Fresnos. The Lady Falcons are now 5-3 and are on the outside looking in.

On Tuesday, San Benito will play host to Brownsville Rivera, Los Fresnos will meet Hanna and Harlingen South will take on Harlingen High.

STUNNING: The last time Rio Hondo lost to Port Isabel, the year was 2015. In 2017, against Zapata, Rio Hondo suffered its most recent district defeat. Since that loss in 2017, Rio Hondo was 26-0 in district until Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Lady Tarpons.

Rio Hondo remains in good shape with an 11-1 32-4A record and can win the title with a win Monday against Progreso.

Port Isabel, meanwhile, is 10-2 and tied with Zapata for second place. The two will lock horns Tuesday at Zapata.

While the top three seeds are locked up, La Feria kept its season alive with a win over Raymondville on Friday. Each club is 6-6 with two games remaining in the regular season.

On Tuesday, Raymondville will meet Hidalgo and will wrap up with Zapata on Thursday. La Feria will play Grulla on Tuesday and then finish the season against Rio Hondo on Thursday.

MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer

RAYMONDVILLE — With the first three playoff spots already taken and the Raymondville Lady ’Kats looking to clinch the fourth, the La Feria Lionettes faced a must-win situation.

Once the game began, it showed.

Led by a seven-run third inning, 15 hits and five shutout innings from pitcher Abbie Castillo, the Lionettes stayed alive in the playoff race by defeating the Lady ’Kats 12-10 on Friday night in Raymondville.

Trailing 6-3 after two complete innings, the Lionettes put up seven runs during the top of the third, sparked by an RBI double from Castillo and highlighted by a bases-clearing triple by Eneli Garza with the bases loaded.

Castillo used the run support and held the lead in the circle from there.

“It’s been a long time coming,” La Feria coach Daryl Gonzales said. “All year long, these girls have been resilient, pulling through and knowing that we have a chance to get to the playoffs. We’re not content with where we’re at, but our girls showed up tonight. I’m very proud of them because they fought well, fought hard and played as a team.”

With the win, La Feria improves to 6-6 and Raymondville falls to 6-6 with two games left. The two are likely to meet in a play-in game for the final spot if they stay tied after next week.

Castillo, who gave up five earned runs during the bottom of the first, rebounded by posting three straight scoreless innings and ended the night giving up seven hits and nine earned runs with four strikeouts. The La Feria pitcher also went 4-for-4 from the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Garza went 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs and one run scored.

Raymondville, which trailed 3-0 after the top of the first, put up a six-run inning of its own during the bottom half of the inning, led by Julissa Guerrero and Dominique Gonzalez, who each drove in two runs in the inning.

The Lady ‘Kats didn’t score again until the bottom of the fifth, cutting a six-run deficit after a pair of Lionettes runs during the top half of the inning to just two, but Raymondville got no closer.

“I think we fell short with a few pitching errors and baserunning errors,” Raymondville’s Cassandra Cazares said. “Other than that, (the team) fought. It was a good game, (Castillo) was a good pitcher, and our pitcher came back and fought as well. Our defense came and our hitting came, so to come back like that (in the fifth) was a good game.”

Guerrero, Dominguez and Karina Garza each recorded two RBIs for the Lady ‘Kats

Raymondville pitcher Aaliyah Munoz gave up 11 earned runs 15 hits and struck out four in the loss.

With a possible rematch on the horizon, both teams are going to take a little from Friday night’s slugfest and hope to learn from it.

“It’s the kind of momentum we want to have at the end of the season,” Gonzales said. “We’re not there yet. We have a little bit of work to do. We might see this team again if things play out. I think my girls deserve this, and they’ve earned it. It’s been a long year with growing pains. I’m really proud of them.”

Cazares feels a few tweaks can make the difference.

“We practiced for this game and we fell short, but we should face them again if we’re tied,” the Raymondville coach said. “We just have to make our small adjustments and we’ll take it from there.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

PORT ISABEL — After Tuesday’s loss against Zapata, Port Isabel sophomore pitcher Allison Gonzalez had some extra motivation heading into the Lady Tarpons’ matchup with Rio Hondo.

On Friday, Gonzalez delivered with her bat and while in the circle as the Lady Tarpons held on for a 2-1 win over the Lady Bobcats.

The righty twirled a complete-game gem, striking out seven on four hits and one run. At the plate, Gonzalez laced a two-run RBI double during the bottom of the third inning.

The double, along with her arm, proved to be enough.

“I wouldn’t say it was my best performance, but this was one of the best performances I have seen from my defense,” Gonzalez said. “In the circle I felt I pitched a great game, but overall this was just a complete effort.”

Port Isabel is now 10-2 in district play and heads Tuesday to Zapata, which also is 10-2. With each club having already sealed its playoff spot, Tuesday’s matchup will determine seeding.

“We felt a fighting feeling coming into tonight,” Gonzalez said. “We were motivated all week to play Rio Hondo, and we wanted to get this win.”

The third-inning rally came after a leadoff triple from Ava Moore and a single from Mary Jane Cantu. Gonzalez later provided offense with the timely two-out double.

“Right now, the whole focus on our team is to be more competitive for the playoffs,” Port Isabel coach Danno Wise said. “That has been our goal. We feel we have exceeded expectations, but our goal is to advance in the playoffs. Even with that loss to Zapata, we felt we came out a better team.”

Rio Hondo, meanwhile, remained in good shape with an 11-1 district record and still needs to win one of its last two games to clinch the district title. The Lady Bobcats play host to Progreso on Monday.

In the circle, senior Erika Cortez threw a full seven innings, yielding two runs on four hits and striking out 13.

Rio Hondo mustered its lone run during the sixth inning. As an offense, the Lady ’Cats collected four hits. The Lady Cats put together a two out rally with runners on first and third but couldn’t capitalize. Rio Hondo wound up leaving six runners on base.

“(Gonzalez) pitched great tonight, she didn’t pitch us against the first time,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “We were able to get runners on base but she just made big pitches when she needed to, and they made some key outs. I told the girls they just hit more than us and they made more plays than us, and that is what it came down to.”