KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN —Harlingen South fell behind 2-0 early, made a few errors and faced adversity against PSJA Memorial in their series opener Thursday night. Despite the uphill battle, the Lady Hawks answered with a gutsy 7-5 win and took a 1-0 series lead against PSJA Memorial in the Class 6A bi-district round.

For every left hook PSJA Memorial had, Harlingen South had an answer. Freshman Alyssa Ledesma tied the game at 5 on a push bunt, and in the sixth a sacrifice fly from Kaitlynn De La Fuente provided the go-ahead run that gave the Lady Hawks a 6-5 lead. Kytana Muniz added the insurance with an RBI double sealing the win.

Game two of the best of three series will continue tonight at PSJA Memorial, with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. South will have a shot for a second straight bi-district title. Game three will be Saturday at 3 at Harlingen South if needed.

“Right from the get-go they (PSJA Memorial) jumped on us,” said South coach Elias Martinez. “We showed character all season long and we showed that again tonight and we responded. It was a great ball game, it could have gone either way, but fortunately for us it fell in our favor.”

PSJA Memorial jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a pair of RBI singles from Chelsea Salinas and Victoria Maldonado.

South answered with two runs in the first and second inning. Leadoff batter Natasha Canales sparked the offense in both innings. Canales gave the Lady Hawks a 3-2 lead on a RBI single and later scored her second run of the night. Canales would finish 3 for 4 at the plate.

“It’s a lot of fun playing PSJA Memorial, our game styles are similar,” Martinez said. “Coach Gilly Rodriguez is doing a great job with the program. My girls don’t give up and tomorrow is a brand new ball game.”

In the fifth inning, PSJA Memorial rallied to take a one-run lead. From the second through the fourth inning, De La Fuente struck out five of the nine batters she faced and struck out the side once.

After tying the game on a fielder’s choice and taking a 5-4 lead on an error, South managed to get out of the bases loaded jam and limiting the damage. De La Fuente got some help from junior center fielder Melba Rodriguez who patrolled the outfield with mastery.

“I was ready every single pitch,” Rodriguez said. “I did my part to help my pitcher out, I’ve been working on my running and taking the right routes, I focused on the ball and kept my mind in the game.”

De La Fuente helped her own cause with the go ahead run in the sixth, the senior hurler finished with eight strike outs in a complete game effort.

“The movement pitches worked for me, and kept the hitters off balance,” De La Fuente said. “Tonight we showed our mental toughness and that is something Coach Martinez has been preaching to us since he got here. “It helps us to have won the first game, it gives us confidence going into game two.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — Two of the Valley’s richest softball programs will go toe-to-toe Friday night. San Benito will travel to Edinburg North in a one-game playoff in the Class 6A bi-district round. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

Edinburg North finished with a 9-5 record out of District 31-6A, and is led by their junior slugger Hope Rodriguez. The Lady Coogs are looking to avenge last year’s early playoff exit when they lost to Harlingen South in the bi-district round in what was also a one game playoff.

Meanwhile, San Benito enters the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the Valley and rode a 10-game win streak to a 13-1 record and a district title under first year skipper Denise Lira.

“On Tuesday we worked on live situations and throughout the week we will continue to work on the little things,” said Lira. “We have worked on some hitting and did some conditioning, and we will continue to work on hitting and defense.”

Sophomore first baseman Karina Cisneros has swung a hot bat and has provided a spark at the bottom of the Lady Hounds order. Cisneros is no stranger to the postseason either.

“Everything I learned last year I have brought it with me this year,” Cisneros said. “It helps to have playoff experience and to have played in a tough district it’s prepared us for the playoffs. Right now at the plate I’m seeing the ball well. I’m staying in my zone and whatever comes in my zone I’ll take it.”

Cisneros cranked a homer against Weslaco and in their regular season finale against rival Harlingen she belted a pair of homers.

“That is a career high for me,” said Cisneros. “I’ve never hit two homers in a game. I’m hoping I can carry that into the playoffs.”

Another youngster that has risen to the occasion has been junior pitcher Eliana Carrizales. The righty has provided the Lady Hounds with top of the rotation stuff and has now gained plenty of confidence over the course of a gauntlet schedule.

Carrizales too has postseason experience and has toed the rubber in big games this season and is ready to lead the Lady Hounds in the postseason. Both Carrizales and fellow junior pitcher Sarah Garcia provided a steady 1-2 punch in the circle.

“We have been preparing since Saturday,” Carrizales said. “We need to continue to work and work together. With the playoffs here, we all step up our game a notch, we’re getting ready to play a solid team on Friday, and we know they will be ready. Right now I’m just continuing to practice and get myself ready and with all of my experience has me mentally prepared for the playoffs.”

“We are going to take every series or one game playoff as if it were our last,” Lira said. “We’re going to go after it and take a series as one game. Our experience is important and the seniors have stepped up with their leadership, so we’re hoping that experience will show this postseason.”

San Benito’s Deztiny Hernandez runs the bases during a practice earlier this week. Kevin Narro | Valley Morning Star

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — The playoff journey begins tonight for the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats, and for senior Atheny Orozco this will be her final playoff push before graduation. Orozco is one of five seniors on the team and had a hand in this year’s district title.
This year, Orozco has batted .224 with 13 hits, 10 RBI’s and two doubles. Orozco and co. will kickoff their best of three series tonight in Robstown with the first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with the senior.

Q: What is your game day routine like?
ATHENY: Every game day I eat a oatmeal cream pie and get my hair braided by April Adames. I also take my teammate Kayla Castaneda with me wherever I go because she’ll help me keep my nerves down and stay focused for our game.

Q: Talk about winning another district title and being apart of a five peat?
ATHENY: It’s an amazing feeling to be apart of such a great program with an amazing support system behind us. I’ve made many great relationships with my teammates and I’m pumped to see what these next couple of weeks has in store for us.

Q: What is your mentality when you step into the batters box?
ATHENY: Every time I step into the box my ultimate mentality is that I will slam every ball over the fence.

Q: Tell us something we don’t know about you?
ATHENY: Many people don’t know that I have freckles or that I have a little thumb.

Q: What is your dream vacation?
ATHENY: To travel to Greece and visit temples in Athens.

Q: Who is your most influential person?
ATHENY: My most influential person is my older brother Eddie because he is such an intelligent and humble person.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
ATHENY: Yes, my biggest one is stepping on the foul line. If someone steps on it, it is a must to put a cross on it.

Q: If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?
ATHENY: Adam Sandler or Kane Brown

Q: Android or I Phone?
ATHENY: I Phone

Q: Favorite NCCA Softball team?
ATHENY: Alabama Crimson Tide.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
ATHENY: By far my biggest pet peeve is hearing someone chew loud.

Q: What is your favorite breakfast taco?
ATHENY: Bean and cheese with a strip of bacon

Q: What is your go to snack?
ATHENY: Cucumbers

Q: What are you currently binge watching on Netflix?
ATHENY: Greys Anatomy

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — The 2017 postseason was one for the books for the Harlingen South Lady Hawks softball team.

A year later, South has found itself back in the playoffs for a third straight year under head coach Elias Martinez.

The Lady Hawks finished second in District 32-6A with a 12-2 record and concluded the regular season by winning two straight. They now have their sights set on PSJA Memorial in the 6A bi-district round.

“The girls have been upbeat and we’re playing with confidence, and that is the name of the game at this point in the season,” said Coach Martinez. “We’re in a do-or-die situation. You win and you move on. You lose and you don’t move on. I have told the girls they need to bring their A-game because we don’t know when our last game will be.”

PSJA Memorial finished with a 10-4 league record out of District 31-6A and will travel to Harlingen South on Thursday for Game 1 of the best-of-3 series. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Game 2 is at PSJA Memorial on Friday, also at 7. And, if needed, Game 3 will be at South at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

“It’s day two of practice week and we all have been working hard,” said senior Kaitlynn De La Fuente. “We’re crossing all our T’s and dotting all the I’s just like Coach Martinez says and we are putting our work in.”

De La Fuente, whose first position is in center field, stepped into the pitcher’s circle and became the team’s ace after starter Daisy Gallegos went down with an injury earlier this season. She has shined in the circle and at the plate as a key part to the Lady Hawks’ offense where she bats at the top of the order.

“Having playoff experience helps us out a lot because we know what it’s like to make the playoffs and go on playoff runs. That helps us stay mentally tough,” De La Fuente said. “Right now I feel good. It was a long season, but we’re not done yet. We just need to stay strong throughout the week.”

Defensive specialist and fellow senior Caitlyn Hejl has also thrived at the third base spot for the Lady Hawks and is ready for one final postseason run.

“Having Kait (De La Fuente) on the mound helps with what she can do inside the circle,” Hejl said. “Defensively, we have worked on some things to help us get ready. I do everything I can to stay mentally prepared, but it’s the hot corner and I do my best to make the routine plays. Our district was tough this year and each week was a battle, and that has helped us prepare for the playoffs.”

TEACHER VERSUS STUDENT: Elias Martinez is familiar with PSJA Memorial head coach Gilly Rodriguez as Rodriguez served as an assistant under Martinez in San Benito for five years from 2010-15 and made the UIL state tournament twice together.

Rodriguez is in his third year at the helm at PSJA Memorial and has guided the Lady Wolverines to the postseason in each of his first three years.

“It’s always fun to be in the playoffs, even more so when you go against one of your old coaches,” Martinez said. “It’s good to see them (PSJA Memorial) in the playoffs. They do some things that we did in San Benito and that we do here at South, and both have been successful. I’m happy to see him (Coach Rodriguez) doing well. We had good times together in San Benito and we won a lot.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

LYFORD—Sophomore Jerrica Rojas hasn’t skipped a beat since her breakout freshman season last year.

This year, Rojas has the Lyford Lady Dogs rolling and helped lead them to another District 32-3A softball title as she leads the team with a .591 batting average, 39 hits, and 44 RBIs with four home runs.

Lyford is set to begin the playoffs against Banquete on Thursday and the Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with the Lyford slugger before the Lady Dogs begin their postseason journey.
—
Q: What were some things you worked on this offseason?
A: I would like to think of myself as a utility player, but since I do pitch I would say I worked on that a little more because it’s not easy. But I also play defense and offense so it’s really hard to find a way to balance everything.

Q: How has the team come together this season?
A: My team has been clicking well and I can’t say enough about my team. Everyone brings a little something to the table and does a great job executing from pinch runners to our subs. I really appreciate all my softball sisters.

Q: What is your mentality when you go up to the plate and step into the pitcher’s circle?
A: When I step into the circle my mentality is just to hit all my spots and be consistent, and relax knowing that my defense has my back. When I go up to the plate I just think ‘make good contact and try to bring the runners in.’

Q: If you could play any other sport what would it be?
A: If I were in another sport I’d probably want to be in MMA.

Q: What is your dream ticket? (Pick any event you’d like to go to.)
A: If I had a dream ticket I would probably want to go to a Russ concert.

Q: Who is your most influential person?
A: My most influential person has to be either my mom or dad because they are the strongest individuals I have ever known.

Q: What is your favorite pre-game meal?
A: I don’t really eat anything big before a game, but I like to snack on Slim Jims.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: I have MANY superstitions. Every time I’m getting ready to bat I have to put on my gloves, helmet and elbow guard in a certain sequence. Also when I’m up to bat I have to make a cross on home plate.

Q: Would you rather be invisible or fly?
A: I would rather be invisible so that nobody would be able to see me.

Q: Android or iPhone?
A: iPhone.

Q: Favorite NCCA softball team?
A: My favorite team is Alabama.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: My biggest pet peeve has to be when someone is chewing with their mouth open and you just hear them smacking.

Q: If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you’d buy?
A: I would probably donate money to my church.

Q: Favorite Disney movie?
A: “Beauty and the Beast.”

Q: What are you currently binge watching on Netflix?
A: I am currently watching “Glee” for the second time.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

Softball’s regular season wrapped up Friday night and the playoffs are now slated to begin as early as Thursday.

Harlingen South, San Benito, Rio Hondo and Lyford are all in the postseason, and are primed for deep runs.

LADY HAWKS: Harlingen South finished the regular season on a high note by thumping Brownsville Rivera 18-0 on Friday night. South finished with a 12-2 District 32-6A record and will be the second seed out of the league.

The Lady Hawks will begin their playoff journey Thursday at home as they kick off a best-of-three series against PSJA Memorial.

Game 1 begins at 7 p.m., Game 2 is at 7 on Friday at PSJA Memorial and Game 3, if needed, is at 3 p.m. back at Lady Hawk Field on Saturday.

SAN BENITO: The Lady Hounds clinched the District 32-6A title with an 11-0 win against Harlingen High on Friday night. San Benito mashed five homers in their win. Kari Cisneros hit a pair of homers and has now hit three dingers in two games. Meanwhile, Aaliyah Rangel, AJ Jasso and Deztiny Hernandez also went yard in the win.

San Benito finished the regular season with a 13-1 district record and is heading into the postseason on a 10-game win streak.

The Lady Hounds will meet Edinburg North in a one-game playoff at 7 p.m. Friday at Edinburg North.

RIO HONDO: The Lady Cats cruised to their fifth straight District 32-4A title on Friday and completed a perfect 14-0 league run with a 4-3 win over Port Isabel.

They will now meet Robstown in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Robstown, Game 2 is at 7:30 Friday at Rio Hondo and Game 3, if necessary, gets underway at 5 p.m. Saturday at Raymondville High School.

“We saw them (Robstown) earlier this year; they’re a scrappy ballclub and they’re well coached,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “Their pitcher does well and she has some good stuff. We know that this 4A first round is equal to a third-round matchup in Class 6A. This is a big round for us and we know through this round comes big things.”

LYFORD: The Lady Bulldogs won their second straight District 32-3A title with a 6-5 win over Santa Rosa on Friday night. The Lady Dogs completed a perfect 9-0 run.

Evelyn Ortiz pitched a complete game and stuck out 11 batters on Friday. Ortiz helped her own cause by collecting two hits in the win.

Lyford is now awaiting their playoff opponent. Banquete and Falfurrias will have a play-in game Monday and the winner there will meet Lyford in the bi-district round.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

RIO HONDO — The freshmen arms of Rio Hondo’s Kelsey Pizarro and Domo De Jesus kept the Port Isabel hitters guessing all night.

Pizarro provided the speed while De Jesus provided the junk as the two combined for a 3-run, 1-hit complete game gem.

While the youngsters took care of business in the circle, fellow freshman Abbie Torris swatted a two-run double in the third inning, pushing the Lady Cats to a 5-3 win to cap off a 14-0 District 32-4A run on Friday.

After the win, Rio Hondo received the championship hardware, which was its fifth straight district title.

“We always want to be perfect,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “There was no need for any extra motivation tonight because it’s Port Isabel. All the rivalry we have with PI is alive here, and you don’t want to head into the playoffs with a loss, but at the same time I wanted to give the young girls time in the circle.”

Pizarro shook off a rough start by hitting two of the first three batters she faced. She quickly recovered, however, and struck out the side. Pizarro whiffed batters early and often as she pitched through four complete innings, striking out seven while yielding one hit and one run.

De Jesus came on in relief and pitched the fifth and sixth innings, and Pizarro finished things off in the seventh.

“Kelsey did a great job in the circle. She fought back in that first inning and did well,” Esparza said. “Then we have Domo (De Jesus) and she is a great change of pace. She has great stuff and the ball just jumps off her hand. We were able to throw Kelsey back in to finish it off.”

ALVARADO, CRUZ READY FOR PLAYOFF ENCORE: Seniors Abbie Alvarado and Bianca Cruz have been a part of a district title each of their four years. This year’s group of seniors dominated District 32-4A by going 54-3 and 95-24 overall.

Last year’s regional final loss to Beeville Jones is still fresh in Alvarado’s mind and is ready to right the wrong and help guide Rio Hondo on another playoff run.

“It’s exciting and it means so much to us,” Alvarado said. “Over the last four years we have become a family and built a sisterhood. To have four years of winning and going through the highs and lows together, but it means a lot. We’re ready for the playoffs; we talked about this moment, to get back to the playoffs. We want to show people that last year wasn’t just a one-year thing. We have the confidence right now and we’re ready.”

Cruz, meanwhile, has returned to her spot in center field and bats at the top of the order. She has provided the senior leadership and, like Alvarado, is ready to go out with a bang.

“It’s been great to be a part of the program, I have worked hard and I do it for my family, my coaches and for my friends,” Cruz said. “We have earned this five-peat. It is a great feeling to have. To see the hard work and commitment we put into this program is a great feeling. And we’re feeling confident heading into the playoffs, we know how we play and we are ready to rise up.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

PHARR — The Harlingen High boys track team edged out PSJA High 103 to 98 to win the District 31/32 area meet Thursday evening at PSJA Stadium. Harlingen will send 10 boys and two girls the regional meet next week in San Antonio at Alamo Stadium.

“We knew coming in that it was going to be tough and we knew the guys in these other districts would bring it, and they did. My cap is off to them,” said Harlingen senior Roel Renteria. “We had a goal coming in and that was to make regionals and we did it.”

Big Red won the area meet for the first time in three years. Renteria highlighted the Cardinals squad by winning the 300-meter hurdles and placing fourth in the 110-meter hurdles.

“The kids exceed expectations. I’m so happy for them and the ones that are moving on to regionals,” said Harlingen track coach Efrain Ambriz. “It’s special for the seniors that qualified because for some of them it’s a first. I’m just so happy they qualified. I wasn’t too concerned on winning the meet, I just wanted our kids to advance and that is the big thing and everything will take care of itself.”

Renteria will be making his third trip to the regional meet.

“This is a bit scary for me because it’s my last regional meet,” Renteria said. “I know the competition up there is tough, but this is something that I have been waiting and working for all year. In the 300 I made sure my steps were constant and that I did things the right way. I slipped up a little but everything came out clean.”

On the girls side Harlingen High’s Jasmyn Tulloch and Yazmine Martinez both punched their ticket to the regional meet. Tulloch finished first in the 300 hurdles with a 46.38 while Martinez set a new Valley mark in the 400-meter run with a 57.29.

Harlingen South’s Annelle Rodriguez qualified for her first-ever regional meet after falling short the last two seasons. The senior qualified in the high jump where she placed third with a jump of 5-2 and also ran the 4×2 were she placed fourth.

“It’s a great feeling to make the regional meet,” Rodriguez said. “I made it in both of my events and that’s great. I plan to work even harder to finish off my senior season strong.”

Meanwhile, the South boys were tops in field events as the Hawks qualified eight to the regional meet.

From the shot put, Andrew Ott placed first with a throw of 58-06.50. In second was Chase Harrell with a toss of 55-10.50 and in fourth place was Benjamin Ruiz with a throw of 50-07.00.

In the discus, Sky Tatum finished in first with a throw of 175-07, in third was Cristian Cortez with a 162-03 and in fourth was Ruiz with a 155-10.

Marcus Ramirez was the lone qualifier in the pole vault with a jump of 15-00.00.

Nitai Duran finished third in the 110 with a 15.35 mark and Crestony Martinez qualified in the 400 with a 51.06.

“Our field events did an excellent job,” said South coach Ralph De La Rosa. “We got a personal record in the 4X400 and finished fifth. That showed how tough the competition was on the track. Overall 32-6A did a great job of competing and representing in the area meet.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

The Lyford Lady Bulldogs softball team is closing in on another district title and a big reason for the ballclub’s success this season is because of freshman shortstop Hannah Garza.

Her speed and a steady glove at the shortstop position have served the Lady Dogs well.

Garza went 3 for 3 at the plate in their 19-0 win over Monte Alto last week and on Tuesday against Edinburg IDEA Quest she continued her hot streak with another 3 for 3 night, including two doubles and a triple.

Thanks to her strong performances, Garza is the Valley Morning Star Female Player of the Week.

“Right now I’m seeing the ball well,” Garza said. “I go up to the plate with confidence knowing I’m going to get a hit. Everything I’ve practiced and worked on is showing in the games. Here in Lyford you have to earn your spot Coach (Joey) Rios doesn’t give you a spot, you have to earn it.”

The quick transition to varsity ball hasn’t been an issue for Garza as she has filled the shortstop position well.

“It is a big difference, but I’ve adjusted to it well,” she said. “It’s exciting and thrilling to be a part of this program. I can’t wait until we get to the playoffs. It’s a great honor to win player of the week, especially for this program. They have helped me grow into a better player.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — As the final out was recorded Tuesday night, the Harlingen South Lady Hawks snapped a two-game skid with a 6-2 win over Weslaco East. But all eyes were on South skipper Elias Martinez, who had just won his 500th career game.

Surrounded by family, friends and the team, Martinez stood drenched in water, and full of joy and emotion while receiving congratulatory hugs and handshakes.

The moment has never been too big for Martinez as he is in his 20th season as a head coach and is one of the pioneers of softball in the Rio Grande Valley.

“My family has always been supportive of me, especially my wife,” Martinez said on Wednesday. “Like they say, behind every man there is a leader and that is my wife. Without her none of this would be possible. She has supported me throughout my career and I owe her so much.”

Martinez, who was born and raised in San Benito and is a graduate of San Benito High School, returned to his alma matter in 1994 and served as an assistant coach for four years under Butch Brotherton.

The two began the softball program at San Benito and Martinez took over the program in 1998.

“The majority of my wins came at San Benito. That program means a lot to me,” Martinez said. “Coach Brotherton and I started from scratch; we started by rolling a ball to the girls and teaching them the basics about softball. We have been fortunate to have tremendous athletes at San Benito and now here at South.”

Martinez is one of two softball coaches in the Valley to lead a team to the UIL state tournament. Martinez guided San Benito to the state semifinals in 2013 and 2015.

The 2013 season was a special one, given that no Valley softball program had ever made the state tourney.

The only other coach to lead a team to state is Weslaco’s current head coach Mario Rodriguez, who directed Weslaco High to the state semis in 2016.

“All the wins are special, but it’s sweeter when you reach the playoffs,” Martinez said. “The kids here at South are amazing and their will to win makes them special.”

ROAD TO 500

Over his 20 years as a head coach, Martinez is currently 500-150. From 1998 to 2015, he patrolled the San Benito dugout and amassed 10 district titles, 16 bi-district titles and 12 area titles. He also made it to eight regional quarterfinals, three sweet 16 appearances, three trips to the elite eight, two region finals and two trips to the state tournament.

Martinez took over at Harlingen South in 2015 and has reached the playoffs in his first two seasons.

In his first year at the helm, South fell in the bi-district round, but made a run to the sweet 16 in his second season.

This year, South is currently eyeing the postseason as a two seed in District 32-6A but still has an opportunity to claim a share of the league title.

Through his first three years as a Hawk, Martinez is 67-28.

Martinez and Co. look to finish off the regular season at Brownsville Rivera on Friday.