KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN BENTIO — The Lady Hounds are clicking on all cylinders and are back in the regional quarterfinals for the first time since the 2015 season.

San Benito cruised through the bi-district round and had a gut-check series win against San Antonio Southwest this past weekend in the area round.

This week San Benito will tangle with Eagle Pass in a Class 6A regional quarterfinal. The best-of-3 series will begin at 5 tonight with all games of the series at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.

“Every day we’re taking little pieces of the game that we need to focus on and taking it one day at a time,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “The girls have been focused all week, and have done a great job on keeping their focus and working hard.”

Tonight’s matchup will mark the second straight week San Benito plays an opponent out of District 29-6A.

Eagle Pass beat McAllen Rowe in the bi-district round before beating fellow RGV power Edinburg High in the area round.

The Lady Eagles are led by a pair of sluggers in Alexandra Martinez and Brooke Diaz, who have a combined 75 hits on the season.

“Practice has gone well for us this week,” said junior infielder April Garcia. “We all have done a great job on preparing for our next opponent. Understanding what they do, we are preparing each day and right now we’re playing with confidence. Last weekend’s series win really helped us gain even more confidence.”

Despite dropping Game 2 against San Antonio Southwest, San Benito found its swagger in Game 3 and used a seven-run sixth inning to storm back and win the series.

The fight that was displayed in Game 3 has been a prime example of what the Lady Hounds have done all season. With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, the Lady Hounds have the right pieces in play with ace Nana Carrizales, catcher Joanna Gonzalez and center fielder Audrey Huerta all performing at a high level.

“The kids are having fun and playing with confidence,” Lira said. “We try and execute certain things in a game and if that doesn’t work the kids do their best to have quality at-bats and continue to fight for seven innings.

“Our pitching has also done a great job on getting ground balls and pop-ups for our infield. When you get out of tough jams you gain confidence and we have seen that over the last few weeks and it gets better.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — For a second straight week, Harlingen High is sending a student athlete to the next level. Senior golfer Dylan Martinez will take his talents to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

“I’m pretty nervous, but it is going to be a great experience playing at the college level,” Martinez said after a ceremony at Harlingen High on Thursday.

“I was able to get a lot of help this year to help me get to this point. The recruiting process was difficult because I had never done it before.”

Martinez is a four-year letterman and was named first-team all-district, first-team all-Valley and had quite the performance at the Region IV-6A boys golf tournament last month where he helped guide the Cards to a respectable sixth-place finish.

Through the two-day tournament in San Antonio, Martinez led Big Red with a 143, shooting an opening-round 74 and a 69 on Day 2.

Martinez knows the task may be tough, but feels he is prepared for the next level.

“I visited the campus and it was beautiful. There were a lot of trees,” Martinez said. “Every golf course is different, but it is the same goal and that is to get the ball in the hole. It wasn’t until the end of my sophomore year that I realized I can compete at the next level.”

Cards coach Chris Milligan had high praise for Martinez, who displayed strong leadership on and off the course.

“My advice (to him) would be to keep doing what he is doing,” Milligan said. “I believe he is prepared for the moment and it’s one of those things that you work so hard for that you may forget what a pleasure it is to be playing at the college level.

“I want him to enjoy himself and to go out there and have fun. Words can’t explain what he has meant to this program. As a freshman he immediately made an impact and led by example. He is truly a coach’s best friend and he did everything we asked him to do, and worked hard. He is one of those guys that the upperclassman respect and the underclassman look up, too.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Two of the Valley’s best teams will take the field Friday night in a one-game playoff with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line. It will be a story of the savvy veterans against the new kids on the block.

Harlingen South has been in this spot before, when they reached the sweet 16 last year. Meanwhile Vela has broken new ground and are in the regional quarterfinals for the first time in program history.

The two clubs will lock horns Friday night at Harlingen South in the class 6A regional quarterfinals with the first pitch set for 8 p.m.

“ We’re all excited, anytime you can play softball another week it’s a great thing,” said Lady Hawks coach Elias Martinez. “Each round gets tougher and tougher, we get the best of the best and each round is special.

“ The kids are still unwinding emotionally from Saturdays crazy win, but they’re ready to go and we will be ready for Friday.”

Throughout the year, District 32-6A and District 31-6A were arguably the toughest districts in the Valley. Edinburg Vela finished second in league play and are the last remaining playoff team in 31-6A.

Along the way, Vela beat Weslaco in the bi-district round and in the area round, swept Laredo Alexander. The Lady Sabercats are led by their senior ace Naomi Reyes who whiffed 11 batters in game-one against Alexander then fanned nine in game two.

“ It’s special to play a Valley school in the third round, because it doesn’t happen too often,” said Martinez. “We have three teams from 6A that are still alive in the playoffs and two of them are from our district, and that just shows how tough our district was.”

A key ingredient to South’s success is the strong play from their outfield. Junior Natasha Canales plays left, junior Melba Rodriguez directs traffic in center and sophomore Kayla Rogers plays right.

Rogers who started in last year’s regional quarterfinals has taken the next step both at the plate and on the field.

“ Right now we’re confident and in the outfield we’re communicating very well,” Rogers said. “We always talk it up and we do the best we can and we always backup our infield no matter what.

“ It’s a tough position to play, but I picture where I need to be and I execute. It helps to have experience; we have had plenty of games together and have the experience.”

Rodriguez, whom has made play after play in centerfield, has also taken the next step as one of the Valley’s top center fielder’s.

“ I get a little nervous when I see a full house, but it gets my adrenaline going and I’m ready to play,” Rodriguez said. “Playing center is fun, you have to be ready every pitch and you always have to be on your horse. Communication is very important and taking the right angles. I’m excited to have another home game Friday, our student body will be here and we’re ready.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LYFORD — Lyford’s Senior quarterback Chase Hinojosa secured his college future by signing his name on the dotted line Wednesday afternoon at the Lyford Library. Hinojosa will suit up and play football at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

“ Right now I’m just humbled and blessed,” Hinojosa said. “The recruiting process was long, I wasn’t sure if anything was going to come my way, but I persevered and finally found a home at Southwestern. I realized it was the place to be when the coaches kept in contact with me, I felt like they wanted me to be a part of the family.”

Hinojosa was a two-year starter under center for the Lyford Bulldogs and was named offensive player of the year in both his junior and senior season.

“ Chase has a great head on his shoulders, he comes from a very good family and has always done well in the classroom,” said Lyford head coach Israel Gonzalez. “We are excited to see what he does at the next level. My advice to him would be to continue to compete and to learn as much as you can.”

Hinojosa was a part of two district and bi-district titles his final two seasons. This year, Lyford cruised to a perfect 5-0 district record and won 16-3A championship outright.

Under center, Hinojosa threw for 1,462 yards, 10 touchdowns and finished with 178 yards rushing while finding the end zone twice.

“ I plan on playing quarterback and trying out the punting position. I did some punting here, so I’m going to give that a shot,” Hinojosa said.

Last month, Rio Hondo’s offensive linemen Ty Rhyner also signed at Southwestern University. Hinojosa is excited to join Rhyner in Georgetown.

“ I’ve talked to him a few times, he told me he visited campus and that it was beautiful,” Hinojosa said. “I’m excited to get to work with him.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Harlingen South Lady Hawks almost saw their softball season come to an end on Saturday.

After they let a 4-2 lead in their Class 6A area-round playoff game against South San Antonio slip away and fell behind 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, it was the same song, different verse for the Lady Hawks: Trail late, but bolt down and never back down.

Alyssa Ledesma got on base with a leadoff single, bringing to the plate Christina Arellano, who represented the winning run.

With the flick of her bat, Arellano belted a two-run, walk-off homer that sent the Lady Hawks to a dramatic 6-5 win over South San.

“I always pray before every at-bat,” Arellano said. “I tried to stay strong and confident at the plate; we stayed mentally tough. It’s a big part of the game to stay focused. Like today, we got down but didn’t give up and we won. Right now I’m still shaking. When I hit it, I knew it was gone and I couldn’t believe it. I was speechless.”

Harlingen South is now back to the regional quarterfinals for a second straight year and will meet the winner between Laredo Alexander and Edinburg Vela next week.

All season long South skipper Elias Martinez preached mental toughness and to never back down. Saturday’s walk-off win displayed those messages.

“There are no words to describe how we are feeling right now,” Martinez said. “We have our motto, ‘Lady Hawks don’t back down’ and that is what I told the girls before the bottom of the seventh. It’s not over until it’s over. The girls kept battling all afternoon and they kept their composer. I’m so proud of them.”

Arellano finished the afternoon 1 for 2 at the plate and the walk-off home run was the first of her career.

“I was so excited that I hit the ball over the fence. Now we’re into round three and as a sophomore to be back in the third round is a great feeling. We are excited to have another week of softball.” Arellano said.

South San Antonio jumped on the Lady Hawks early with a two-run homer by Elisha Diaz. But Harlingen South answered with a run in the first and then took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third off a two-run double by Ledesma, who finished the afternoon 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs.

Meanwhile, senior pitcher Kaitlynn De La Fuente shook off the rough first inning and retired seven straight after the first-inning blemish.

De La Fuente struck out the side in the fifth and wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and seventh innings, keeping the Lady Hawks within striking distance. She finished with 10 strikeouts through seven full innings of work.

“I can’t say enough about Kaitlynn,” Martinez said. “She came through for us and the entire team. We can go down the list, they all made some clutch plays. They are all blue-collared workers. The kids come ready to work every day, and they show mental toughness each and every day.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

CORPUS CHRISTI — After dropping Game 2 of their area-round playoff series on Saturday, San Benito’s season was on the line in a winner-take-all Game 3 against San Antonio Southwest.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth inning, San Benito needed a spark and got one. For a good portion of the series, the Lady Hounds’ offense couldn’t seem to get the big hit. That was until the magical sixth inning of Game 3.

San Benito swatted seven hits and plated seven runs to storm back and win 10-4 sending San Antonio Southwest packing. The Lady Hounds won the series 2-1 to advance to the regional quarterfinals for the first time since 2015.

The Lady Hounds will now meet Eagle Pass sometime next week.

“The girls did such a great job fighting through some tough innings,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “Southwest is a great team and we knew this series was going to be tough.”

The Lady Hounds fed off a triple by Audrey Huerta and a double by Deztiny Hernandez in the sixth inning.

Aaliyah Rangel got the rally going by getting hit by a pitch and later in the inning, Megan Ybarra and AJ Jasso reached on a pair of doubles.

“We are excited to be advancing to the next round,” Lira said. “We’re going to enjoy it, but we will be back to work on Monday.”

Senior Joanna Gonzalez is excited to be back in the third round for a second time in her career.

“It’s relieving,” said Gonzalez. “That word describes perfectly how I feel, not only because we won, but I know we fought as one team to come from behind with our backs against the wall right after losing Game 2.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

CORPUS CHRISTI — Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight! Those were the words echoed throughout the Rio Hondo dugout on Friday during the Lady Cats’ Class 4A one-game area-round playoff game against Devine at Tuloso-Midway High School.

After trailing 11-2 after five innings, the Lady Cats answered with a seven-run fifth inning and cut into the lead at 11-9.

Devine got back a run in the top of the sixth to make it 12-9 with one frame left to go.

In the bottom of the seventh, senior Bianca Cruz swatted a two-run game-tying double to knot things up at 12-12. Then freshman Domo De Jesus provided some heroics with an RBI single that lifted Rio Hondo to an improbable 13-12 comeback win.

“I went to the plate and I believed in myself,” said De Jesus. “Coach told us to believe in ourselves and not give up, and we didn’t. I had been struggling before, but I played with confidence and I was able to pull through for my team.”

Rio Hondo will now await the winner between Cuero and Orange Grove, which play in a decisive Game 3 today.

Cruz finished the night 4 for 4 with three RBIs, two runs and a walk.

“As a senior you have to push through and keep the younger girls motivated,” Cruz said. “We believed that every girl would get on base and we never gave up. In the fifth inning, it was rally after rally. In that fifth inning, we knew we could come back and win; it was incredible.”

Despite grabbing an early 2-0 lead through two innings, Devine counted with a three-run third and exploded with a seven-run fifth inning.

“The problem was they (Devine) piled on runs early and we started to press a little bit,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “We made eight different pitching changes, but once we settled down and Domo got us through that inning, we had no choice but to believe in ourselves and we did. I’m so proud of the girls and how they fought.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Junior left fielder Natasha Canales isn’t the biggest girl on the field, but don’t let the size fool you as the junior bats in the leadoff spot and provides the Lady Hawks with a left handed bat along with blazing speed.

Canales is no stranger to the big stage, as a sophomore, she was a part of the Lady Hawks march to the sweet 16 and is once again a key contributor to the Lady Hawks again this postseason. Canales and the Lady Hawks will be in action Saturday at 4 p.m. at Cabaniss Field in a one-game playoff against South San Antonio.

Q: What is the best part on batting in the leadoff spot?

Natasha: The best part about being leadoff batter is all the adrenaline running through my body and being able to get our offense going.

Q: What is the biggest challenge batting leadoff?

Natsha: The biggest challenge batting leadoff would be all the pressure I put on myself to get the lineup going.

Q: What is your game day routine like?

Natasha: I wear my jersey every game day, and I eat a whole can of sugar free pineapples while watching film during lunch, and I go to Chick-fil-A after school.

Q: Do you have any pre game meal?

Natasha: Yes, Chick-Fil-A.

Q: If you could play any other sport what would it be?

Natasha: Rugby or Lacrosse.

Q: What is your dream ticket?

Natasha: My dream ticket would be going to the Country Music Awards.

Q: Tell us something the fans might not know?

Natasha: On my cleats, I have crosses, my favorite bible verse (Psalms 105:5), words that say I can, I will, and believe.

Q: Is there any specific music you listen to before a game?

Natasha: Yes, any music that pumps me up applying that I can do it.

Q: Who is your role model and why?

Natasha: My role model would have to be God because without him I wouldn’t be playing the sport I am now with the friends I love.

Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?

Natasha: I don’t have one, I like them all.

Q: DC or Marvel?

Natasha: Both.

Q: Netflix or Hulu?

Natasha : Netflix.

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

Natasha: It would have to be my house window that I broke with a softball.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Senior tennis player Jacob Canales became the fifth student athlete from Harlingen High to sign a letter of intent to play at the next level. Canales who is a four-year letterman on the varsity tennis team signed his name on the dotted line to compete at Schreiner University.

“I was never the type to follow through, so it feels good to stick with this and play at the college level,” Canales said. “The skill level will be the biggest challenge, it’s a step up from the high school level and the work ethic will also be a step up. I expect a whole other level when I get there from the court to the people I meet.”

Canales finished his high school career as a district champion in mixed doubles and finished in the top 32 teams in the state. Canales was named to the all-district team his sophomore year and made the regional meet three of his four years. This year Canales was the boys team captain.

“My advice to him (Jacob) would be to keep working both in the classroom and on the field,” said Harlingen Tennis coach James Tanamachi. “Since day one he has been one of the hardest working kids and I’m proud to see him go out a district champ. That is the goal for everyone, it doesn’t happen every year, but I’m glad he did it this year.”

Canales has a brother Michael who also qualified for regional’s this year and finished second in district. Michael is a sophomore and looks to soon follow in his brother’s footsteps.

“Jacob isn’t a loud guy, but he leads by example and when he steps on the court it’s all business and he set a good example for his younger brother,” said Tanamachi.

After the regional meet, Canales felt he was able to compete at the next level and made it a goal of his to take his career to the next step.

“My advice to my brother and the younger guys, would be to work hard and don’t procrastinate, go out there and work hard.” Canales said.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Looking back at the 2017 season, it was certainly a magic carpet ride for Harlingen South. Their most memorable win to date was their game-three win against South San Antonio in the regional quarterfinal that punched the Lady Hawks ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013.

A ground ball down the third base line was played by Caitlyn Hejl and thrown to first base where senior Ashley Reyna tapped on the bag for the third out. The original ruling was out, after a discussion from the umpires, the call stood and South won the game and the series in dramatic fashion.

Here we are a year later; the two will meet once again at Cabaniss Field Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in a one-game playoff in the Class 6A area round.

“Losing that first game and coming back and winning the next two, wow it was crazy it was fun,” said Harlingen South coach Elias Martinez. “That is the beauty about softball; you just never know what can happen. That is why you play the game. The ending was crazy, but that is why you run out the ball and the officials get paid to make the call.”

Although the Lady Hawks have plenty of memories at Cabaniss Field, the field has a new look to it as it went from grass to turf earlier this year. Harlingen South did get some action on it earlier this season at a Corpus Christi tournament and on Thursday, the Lady Hawks practiced at Boggus Stadium which is also a turf field.

“Today was the first time we practiced out here on the turf,” Martinez said. “We wanted the girls to get a feel for the turf. We are getting used to the bounces and we’re doing the little things right now. We are trying to put the girls in a spot where they can be successful and try and simulate some of the game like situations.”

Senior Kaitylnn De La Fuente who pitched and caught in game three is ready to get back to Cabaniss Field and like last year, she will take the circle for the Lady Hawks.

“We did well today, everyone looked strong and had a good practice and adjusted to the turf,” De La Fuente said. “Being down one game, and coming back and winning the series was crazy, it helped us mentally.”

“It was one of the crazier series I have been a part of. I remember switching back and forth from catching and pitching, coach just made all the right calls. I’m a little nervous, but like I have said all year we need to stay mentally tough.”

Junior shortstop Krystal Gonzales played catcher last season and moved to shortstop this year and has provided South with a smooth glove and a big bat in the middle of the Lady Hawks lineup.

“We’re excited to still be playing softball,” Gonzales said. “We have had a great week of practice and having an extra day helps. Last year’s series win against them (South San) but we’re ready to go out there and play.”