KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

With just one game remaining in the regular season, San Benito separated itself from the pack and is in control of its own destiny to win the District 32-6A title.

The Lady Hounds cruised to a 7-1 win Tuesday night against Weslaco High and completed the season sweep against the Lady Panthers. San Benito has now won nine straight and clinched a share of the league crown, and can win the district title outright with a win on Friday at Harlingen High.

The Lady Hounds leaned on a pair of homers by Sarah Garcia and Karina Cisneros. Audrey Huerta, meanwhile, went 3 for 5 while Garcia finished 3 for 4.

HARLINGEN SOUTH: The Lady Hawks regained their swagger with a 6-2 win against a surging Weslaco East club. With Weslaco’s loss to San Benito, South is currently the second seed in the district with an 11-2 mark while Weslaco is in the third spot with a 10-3 mark.

Head coach Elias Martinez also reached career win 500 with the Lady Hawks win. Up next for the Lady Green Birds is their regular season finale at Brownsville Rivera Friday at 7.

RIO HONDO: The Lady Cats clinched their fifth straight district title Tuesday night with a gut check 4-3 win at Zapata. Rio Hondo completed the season sweep against the Lady Hawks and is now 13-0. The Lady Cats wrap up the regular season at Friday at home against Port Isabel.

Freshmen Domo De Jesus and Abbie Torris both went 2 for 4 at the plate and each scored a run. Senior Bianca Cruz checked in a 1 for 3 night at the plate with a walk and a run scored.

LYFORD: The wins keep coming for the Lady Bulldogs. On Tuesday, Lyford made quick work of Edinburg IDEA Quest with a 15-0 win in three innings.

Lyford finishes the regular season Friday at home against Santa Rosa.

In their win, Hannah Garza went 3 for 3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and one triple. Meanwhile, Evelyn Ortiz and Jerrica Rojas chipped in with two hits each. In the circle, Rojas whiffed six batters in just two innings pitched.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

WESLACO — The San Benito Lady Greyhounds made a statement Tuesday night by taking control of District 32-6A with a convincing 7-1 win over Weslaco High.

Much like in their first meeting earlier this season, San Benito used a pair of dingers from Sarah Garcia and Karina Cisneros, and relied on their hurler Eliana Carrizales, who twirled a complete-game gem of one-run ball.

“My defense did amazing tonight,” Carrizales said. “Having a great defense behind me gives me confidence to go out there and play my game. I’ve pitched in big games this season so that also has given me confidence.”

With the win, San Benito clinches a share of the district crown with a 12-1 league record. Meanwhile, Harlingen South snapped a two game skid with a win over Weslaco East and is alone in second place with an 11-2 record. With the loss, Weslaco dropped to third with a 10-3 record.

The Lady Hounds can win the league crown outright with a win Friday at Harlingen High. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

San Benito’s Audrey Huerta set the tone with a leadoff double and later scored on a throwing error. Huerta continues to thrive at the leadoff spot as the senior went 3 for 5 at the plate.

In the second inning, after a leadoff single by Garcia, Cinsneros belted a two-run shot that gave San Benito an early 3-0 lead.

Building an early lead and relying on pitching has become a nice trend for head coach Denise Lira’s club.

“If we can get some runs early it eases our team and helps out our pitchers,” Lira said. “When you go out there and have a lead early, on the road especially, it builds your confidence. We are keeping the same approach and we are enjoying this one as a team tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work for us and we need to prepare for Harlingen on Friday.”

The Lady Hounds scored in every inning but two. They added a run in the fourth and fifth inning, and a pair of runs in the sixth.

In the sixth, the Lady Hounds loaded the bases and Garcia drove in a run on an opposite-field RBI single to make it 6-1. After being intentionally walked twice, Joanna Gonzalez swatted an RBI double, putting the icing on the cake at 7-1.

“I’m always thinking ‘hit’ when I go up to the plate,” Garcia said. “Any way I can help my team I’m willing to do. The home runs come when they come, but when I hit it tonight it felt good; it felt smooth. Tonight we all hit the ball well and kept the rallies going. Right now we’re fighting hard to win district and we’re almost there, and we are hoping it all turns out great.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

DONNA—With another state tournament run by Santa Rosa, coach Johnny Cipriano will guide the East all-star team for a second straight year.

Cipriano will also be joined by fellow Warriors, A.B Lozoya, Jonah Agado and Ryan Perez.

“It’s fun to be a part of, these are things that just happen when you work hard and have success. It’s great to be around the kids and to have my own kids playing it makes it extra special,” Cipriano said.

Lozoya who was a catalyst for the Warriors this season is excited to play for coach Cipriano one last time and to be given the opportunity to represent Santa Rosa.

“I’m glad I was selected to represent Santa Rosa,” Lozoya said. “We’re known for being a basketball school and to be able to play one more time, this means something. I have played with some of these guys before, so getting another shot to play with them will be fun.”

Harlingen’s Greg Yates tabbed to lead East squad

Harlingen High’s Greg Yates will coach the East All-Stars for the third time in his career.

“What is fun about this, is we have been playing against these kids,” Yates said. “We know their strengths and weaknesses and now they’re on our team so that is nice, and we know some of their sets so obviously we know what plays to run for the kids.”

Big Red will have three representatives. Matthew Sesler, Jeremy Vasquez and Rene Castillo. Harlingen South will send Aaron Briones and Sean Turrubiates.

“Being selected to play one more game as a senior means a lot,” Vasquez said. “Its special to play one last time for coach Yates, he was here my entire four years and he helped push me to get better, so I’m glad I get to play for him one more time.”

San Benito meanwhile will have David Sanchez and Aaron Medrano represent the Greyhounds.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

DONNA — For the second time in her career, Harlingen’s head coach Ashley Moncivaiz will lead the East team in the annual RGVBCA 6A All-Star Showcase.

2016 was the last year Moncivaiz led the East squad. This year she will have two of her own in seniors Nadia Flores and JulieAnn Garza.

“It’s a lot different to coach the all-star team,” Moncivaiz said. “There isn’t too much pressure or stress because you have the top athletes. I’m proud of my two girls; they earned their spot on this team. Over the last few years they worked hard and did so much for the team.”

Harlingen South will send Cameron Del Angel and Jaime Ambriz, while San Benito’s representatives will be Emilee Barraza and Miranda Vallejo.

“I think it’s fun to play with the girls you play against,” Vallejo said. “Playing with them now is a great experience. This year has been great, we as a team accomplished a lot and being selected to represent my school, its truly an honor.”

Garza who is now teaming up with her formal rival is also excited to represent Harlingen High one last time, and playing for Coach Moncivaiz one last time also makes it a bit more special.

“It means a lot to me to have been selected,” Garza said. “This is my last game and I’m ready to make it count. I’m happy she (Coach Moncivaiz) is our coach, because I know her and she knows me. We’re both excited to team up one more time.”

Lyford highlights Sub-5A All-Star Squad

It was a ground breaking year for first-year Santa Maria head coach Andrew Sierra. Not only was it his first year steering the ship for the Lady Cougars, but a first timer when it comes to coaching the all-star game.

“It’s exciting and I’m honored to be chosen to coach these girls,” Sierra said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my girls. As a team we have great athletes all the way around, I’m familiar with some of the girls that we played against as well.”

Lyford leads the team with four selections, Alexia Sierra, Adriana Duran, Sydney Bray and Jessica Mendez.

La Feria will have two of their own in Myah Salas and Bryssa Conde. Rio Hondo will have one lone representative, Victoria Vasquez and Santa Maria will send Lorena Ayala and Keana Ortiz.

“I think this is going to be a lot of fun,” Ortiz said. “This team is very athletic and this is the best of the best. I’m friends with most of the girls I play against; we never play on the same team so being able to wear the same jersey as them is going to be fun.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — The Lady Bobcats have steam rolled through District 32-4A and are on the cusp of a fifth straight league title. Rio Hondo is 12-0 in district play and has their final two regular season games this week.

Bianca Cruz, one of the five seniors on this year’s club, has provided the Lady Cats with an all-around game and has provided leadership both on and off the field.
Through 21 games this season Cruz is batting .567 with 38 hits, 20 RBI’s and 28 runs. Against Hidalgo this past Friday, Cruz added a triple to her stat line and has now recorded a hit in 22 straight games this season.

The Valley Morning Star got a chance to catch up with the Rio Hondo slugger.

Q: Has it hit you yet that this is the final week of the regular season?

BIANCA: It hasn’t yet but when we have parent’s night on Friday, then I’m sure it will hit me.

Q: How have you adjusted to the Designated Player role?

BIANCA: Due to my shoulder strain, I did everything I could to keep the team focused by motivating and cheering them on also teaching the underclassmen techniques that work for me.

Q: Who has been the toughest pitcher you’ve faced this season and why?

BIANCA: Throughout the season there have been many talented pitchers that I have faced but within our district, I’d have to say the pitcher from Zapata because she knows how to place the ball better than the other pitchers in our district.

Q: Do you have any superstitions?

BIANCA: I can never wash my batting gloves no matter how bad they smell.

Q: What is your game day routine?
BIANCA: Before every home game I make sure I give my mom and dad a kiss.

Q: You wear the No. 1 any reason behind it?

BIANCA: Number one has been my number since little league baseball.

Q: Tell us something about your self that the fans might not know?

BIANCA: I give great hugs.

Q: Who is your favorite super hero?

BIANCA: Spider Man, because he believes in doing the right thing all the time.

Q: Who is your favorite NCCA Softball team?

BIANCA: Auburn, Because of their high intensity, I can’t stop watching them play.

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

BIANCA: This year I believe the Florida Gators will win it all.

Q: Favorite Disney movie?

BIANCA: The Lion King.

Q: If you could make three wishes what would they be?

BIANCA: 1) To own a Mercedes Benz. 2) To keep my family safe forever. 3) To never lose focus on what I want.

Q: Favorite drink?

BIANCA: Sweet Tea

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

WESLACO — The race for the District 32-6A title got a whole lot more interesting Friday night. Weslaco High settled the score and took advantage of timely hits and costly errors from Harlingen South.

Weslaco used a pair of big innings to put South away. The Lady Panthers plated four runs in the third and six runs in the sixth. Back-to-back RBI knocks from Laurynn DeAnda and Gabby Rivera helped seal a 13-3 win in six innings.

With the win, Weslaco puts themselves within striking distance of now league leader San Benito who won Friday. Weslaco (10-2) will host San Benito (11-1) Tuesday at 7 with the top spot up for grabs.

“It’s a big win for us, but it’s like I have told the girls before, ‘I would rather play well down the stretch and into the playoffs rather than be district champs and do nothing with it,’” said Weslaco coach Mario Rodriguez. “It is great that we put ourselves back in the district race, but I’m proud of how the girls are responding to the challenges.”

Harlingen South (10-2) have found themselves in a funk dropping two straight, but remain in the district title race. The Lady Hawks will host Weslaco East Tuesday at 7.

“This is a reality check for us,” said South skipper Elias Martinez. “This brings us back to earth, but we have two games left to turn this thing around.”

Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning is where the momentum turned in Weslaco’s favor. After a lead off triple from Audrey Escamilla, South missed out on a potential double play that allowed three more runs to score, giving Weslaco a 7-3 lead through three innings.

In both the fifth and sixth innings, South had runners in scoring position, but failed to cash in on the opportunities. Alyssa Escamilla entered the game in relief of starter Ashley Sada in the fifth inning and worked around the base runners and retired the next three batters.

In the sixth inning, Escamilla issued back to back walks, but again buckled down and got out of the inning unscathed.

“We’re leaving too many girls on base,” Martinez said. “We are not getting those timely hits that we were getting earlier in the season, but we just need to keep battling. The first time we played Weslaco we came out focused and now we need to regain our focus in the last week of the regular season, and my hats off to Weslaco they played well tonight.”

Clair Cruz | Special to the Star

HARLINGEN — The lights were just minutes from turning off at the Cardinals baseball field, but Harlingen head coach Juan Rangel didn’t care.

His Cardinals had just earned a very important 8-7 walk-off victory over Los Fresnos. After eight innings of hard-fought baseball, the only thing on his mind was celebrating with his team.

“We’re fighting for our playoff spot, so we knew we needed this game more than they did,” Rangel said. “We had a lot of up and downs. It worked out in our favor and I’m glad.”

Cardinal’s right fielder Abraham Ibarra drove in the winning run with a perfectly executed squeeze. He went to the plate after the Falcons intentionally walked Boedy Flores and Nathan Ramon to load the bases with one out with simple instructions: get a hit on the first good pitch or lay down the bunt.

Ibarra took a huge hack at the first offering from Los Fresnos pitcher Victor Montemayor but didn’t connect. The Falcons anticipated what was coming and brought in an outfielder to form a five-man defense. Ibarra laid down a bunt just slightly to the first base line that Montemayor fielded, but not quickly enough.

Isaias Ibarra charged home and slid safely in before the throw to clinch the win.

“It was amazing the way we fought tonight,” Abraham Ibarra said. “I just jumped for joy, giving all glory to God. It was a crazy game.”

Harlingen jumped out to an early lead in the first on a two-run, no-doubt homerun off Flores’ bat. The Cardinals added two runs in the second and one in the third to take a 5-0 lead.

But as all good teams do, Los Fresnos responded. The Falcons put two on the board in the third, fourth and fifth innings to get on top, 6-5. Harlingen scored twice in the sixth and Los Fresnos answered to tie the game at 7 in the seventh.

The Cardinals headed to the eighth full of energy and determination, and it translated into a win.

“It’s all about fighting,” Rangel said. “When you fight back, good things happen. I’m glad that we were the team to come out on top today. It was just about how bad we wanted it.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN— In what was their biggest game of the season to date, Senior outfielder Audrey Huerta dazzled the purple and gold faithful with her glove, and at the plate provided a key two-run RBI double that helped San Benito to a 5-4 win against Harlingen South.

In last Friday’s blow out win over Brownsville Rivera, Huerta went 3 for 4 with two runs. Against South Huerta went 2 for 5 with a pair of RBI’s.

For her efforts, Huerta was named this weeks Valley Morning Stars female player of the week.

“This is great, I’ve never won a player of the week before,” Huerta said. “I’m proud of myself and my team. We have been playing really good softball.”

With the win, San Benito is now tied for first in District 32-6A with Harlingen South who also holds a 10-1 record.

Huerta and the Lady Hounds will put their win streak on the line tonight as they host Brownsville Hanna in their final home game of the regular season. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

WESLACO — The case was simple for Harlingen, win and you’re in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Lady Cardinals, Amanda Aguirre and Weslaco East had other ideas. The senior hurler threw a complete game, yielded six hits, three runs and fanned 11.

East scored in each of the first five innings and capitalized on a slew of Harlingen errors en route to a 6-3 win, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Harlingen falls to 5-6, but remains in the fourth spot, while East gains a game and is 4-7 with three games remaining.

Harlingen will host Los Fresnos tonight at 7, while East will meet Brownsville Rivera.

“We need to get mentally tough,” said Harlingen coach Nora Aguilar. “The kids need to go out there and have fun, and they have to want it. You got to go out there and play hard and give it your 100 percent. In these last three games we need to stay focused, the kids need to want it and stay hungry.”

In the second inning, tied at one, Allison Rogers drove in Britney Garcia giving East a 2-1 lead. In the third inning, Aguirre gave up a lead off double to Eneli Garza and issued a walk to Zoe Rosas. Garza tied the game off a wild pitch at two runs each.

Aguirre shook off the rust and struck out the side. Aguirre continued her barrage of strike outs, as she would fan five consecutive batters and retired the next two batters she faced before giving up a base hit in the fifth inning.

The back breaking innings came in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. Harlingen’s two errors in the infield paved the way for three runs in the fourth and fifth inning. The Big Red managed to get two runners on and brought the tying run to the plate three times.

Aguirre worked around the trouble and struck out two of the final three batters she faced.

“We left too many runners on base,” said Aguilar. “We had too many girls looking at the third strike, we were trying to kill the ball, we needed base hits, but it didn’t go our way tonight.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — The battle for District 32-6A was certainly worth the wait.

In front of a packed house divided by purple and green, the San Benito Lady Greyhounds held off a late South rally and used a four-run fourth inning to hand the Lady Hawks their first league loss of the season, 5-4 Wednesday evening.

The Lady Hounds have now won seven in a row and placed themselves into a tie for first place with the Lady Hawks at 10-1.

San Benito fed of the arm of pitcher Eliana Carrizales and senior Audrey Huerta, who had a dazzling catch in center field and provided a two- run RBI in the fourth inning.

“So much was going through my mind on that play, I didn’t think I was going to catch it,” Huerta said. “I was able to make the catch and help out my pitcher. Anytime we play Harlingen South, it’s always fun. Playing in this district is tough; it can go either way. Our pitchers have played great and on defense we have been able to back them up.”

Heading into the fourth with the game tied at 1-1, San Benito’s Sarah Garcia reached first on an error by Lady Hawks first baseman Alyssa Ledesma. After back-to-back outs, April Garcia drew a walk that helped spark the two-out rally.

Huerta broke the tie with a two-run double, followed by an RBI single by Aaliyah Rangel that pushed the Lady Hounds’ lead to 5-1. Huerta finished the night 2 for 5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored.

“Audrey gave us some momentum at the plate and on the field she did a great job tracking the ball down tonight,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy; our backs were against the wall just as much as theirs (South’s).”

Sophomore catcher Kytana Muniz collected two of the six hits for the Lady Hawks. Muniz clubbed two solo homers in her first two at-bats before being intentionally walked in the sixth inning.

South rallied late with a solo homer by Kaitlynn De La Fuente in the sixth that cut into the lead at 5-3. And in the seventh, Kayla Rogers scored on an RBI by Kelsey Rivera to trim the lead to one run. But that was as close as the Lady Hawks got.

“We have done a good job of taking it one day at a time and these girls have so much fight in them, it’s unbelievable.” Lira said. “When you think we won’t answer back, the kids figure it out and get the job done. From our pitching staff to our defense, they find ways to get it done.”

Carrizales pitched around some trouble but still went the distance as she yielded four runs on six hits.

“I’m just very excited right now,” Carrizales said. “If it wasn’t for my defense, I don’t get this done; they played amazing behind me. I took tonight like any other night, and went to the circle and just did my thing.”

Despite the loss, South remains in good shape but will need to regroup quick as they have a date with red-hot Weslaco High on Friday.

Meanwhile, San Benito hosts Brownsville Hanna in their final home game of the regular season Friday at 7.

“We didn’t make the routine plays and they did,” said South coach Elias Martinez, who remained at career win No. 499. “We made some errors and it cost us the game.”