KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LYFORD — The Lady Bulldogs march through the postseason continues tonight when they meet perennial power Santa Gertrudis in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal series.

The best-of-three series begins at 7 tonight at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Game 2 begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Lyford with Game 3 to follow 30 minutes afterward, if necessary.

“Were going to continue what we’ve been doing and that’s play Lyford softball,” said coach Joey Rios. “We have been playing good softball the past few weeks and the girls know how to pick each other up.”

One of the senior catalysts has been center fielder Kyndra Brown. The speedster is currently batting .329 with 30 runs and 27 hits.

The Valley Morning Star sat down with Kyndra on Thursday.

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Q: What has this season been like for you as a senior making it to the third round of the playoffs for the second time?

A: This season has been great for me. We were undefeated district champs and we’re heading into the third round tonight against Santa Gertrudis. It’s been a tough journey and we’ve worked really hard to get here. We’ve been putting in work since January and it’s paying off. I’m excited to be here at the third round again. It’s a great feeling and I’m hoping this year we advance to the fourth round and more.

Q: As a senior and four-year letterman, how do you help guide the younger girls?

A: I helped guide the younger girls by telling them how to do certain things that will make things easier for them. Such as at shortstop when turning a double play, it’s much easier to swipe the side of the bag instead of stepping on top of the bag and trying not to run into the runner as you throw to first.

Q: Was the 13-inning game you played in last week to open your area-round series the craziest and longest game you’ve ever been a part of?

A: That game WAS the most intense, craziest and longest game I have ever been a part of. It was crazy how we would score a run then they (Goliad) would come back and it just went back and forth. The game started at 5 p.m. and didn’t finish till 9:30 p.m. I’m happy we stayed strong and pulled through at the end of it all by winning.

Q: What was the bus ride like coming home after winning area?

A: Unfortunately, I was unable to experience the bus ride home after winning area since I decided to go home with my family, but I did get to experience the bus ride to the restaurant we ate at and it was pumped. We were so excited after that win.

Q: How have you seen this team grown and develop from your freshman year to now?

A: In my previous years playing varsity, I noticed that there was never a bond like there is with the team now. Yes, we bicker about some stuff, but we let it go once we touch the field. I feel like we trust each other more than I think any other team has.

Q: You plan on going to Texas State after graduation. What will you major in?

A: I plan on majoring in chemistry and pursuing a career as a crime scene investigator.

Q: What is your pre-game superstition?

A: I actually have quite a few pre-game superstitions. One of them is how I have to have a Dr Pepper before the game, even if it is just one drink of it. Super unhealthy, I know, but it’s something I’ve done since I first started playing softball. Another superstition of mine is I have to wear my hair the same way all season. I can’t change it up. I did, however, mess it up one time this season before the first series game against Corpus Christi London. Thankfully, it did not affect the outcome, but it’s still a superstition of mine. The last superstition I have, but also my team has it too, is that when we pray we have to kneel down next to the same two people each time. It cannot be rearranged.

Q: What is your favorite meal the night before a game?

A: Normally, I just eat whatever my mom or grandma makes for dinner.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

A: This question stumped me for a while, but after some thought I decided that I would want to have dinner with Alan Rickman. Rickman was an actor who died last year. He played professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series and I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I have read all of the books, seen all the movies and have a little collection of Harry Potter items. I would like to have dinner with him specifically because I want to hear him say, “turn to page 394.” In the Harry Potter series, every time he went into his classroom, he would tell his students to turn to page 394. They’re some of his famous words, besides “always.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — Seven Valley teams still stand tall in week three of the Texas high school softball playoffs.

And of the seven remaining, there are three from Class 6A, two from 5A, one from 3A and one from 4A. Rio Hondo is the lone team representing the Valley in the 4A ranking.

The Lady Bobcats have passed every test that has been thrown at them thus far in the postseason and tonight’s matchup against Orange Grove will be their toughest task by far. However, these Lady Cats are up to the challenge.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series at Falfurrias High School begins at 7:30 tonight. Game 2 is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Game 3, if needed, will be played at 11 a.m. Saturday.

For the second time in program history, Rio Hondo is in round three. The last time the Lady Cats were in the third round, the current seniors on the team were freshman and the juniors were only eighth graders who were watching from the stands.

Junior Abbie Alvarado was one of those eighth graders and thought it would be a dream come true to be a part of the Lady Bobcats softball program.

“I would stand at the fence and watch every little detail,” said Alvarado. “We all grew up playing together, so I came to every game. If I wasn’t in the stands, I was at the fence watching. I remember wanting to be a part of the team and now that I’m here, it’s amazing.”

As far as the crop of seniors, this will be their second trip to round three and have faced Orange Grove before. In 2015, Rio Hondo met the Lady Bulldogs in a bi-district meeting and got swept.

“We’re excited to be here and we want people to know what Rio Hondo softball is all about,” said senior Tianna Sandoval. “It’s crazy that some people don’t even know where Rio Hondo is, but that’s OK. Winning now will help put our program on the map.”

Fast-forward to 2017, Orange Grove ace Bea Lara is now a junior and is as sharp as ever inside the circle. Lara was the adversary then in 2015 and remains the key factor to the Lady Dogs’ success.

“She’s a tough one to face,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “But that’s what we expect at this level in the playoffs and it’s only going to get tougher. We saw this team two years ago and we have an idea on what to expect.”

As far as the Esparza name goes, the coaching tree runs deep. His mother is longtime softball coach Debbie Esparza, who recently retired after more than 20 years of coaching at Raymondville and Harlingen South. She still comes to her son’s aid when asked and even drops in some motherly advice here and there.

“It’s great to have her around; she always gives me tips and is always positive,” said Brett. “I was lucky to have been around all her playoff runs and was able to learn different things from her. My wife coaches softball as well and is over at La Feria. Without her support, I wouldn’t be here. We’re all just thankful to have each other’s support.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Devin Rosas put pen to paper Tuesday afternoon and made his college dreams a reality.

Rosas will exchange Cardinal red for Pirate black and gold as he will attend Southwestern University in Georgetown where he plans to participate in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

“This day means everything to me,” said Rosas. “It’s been a lifelong goal of mine to compete at the college level. I plan to compete in the three events that I did here at Harlingen High so I know I’m ready for the next level.”

Rosas plans to perfect his craft in the long jump, triple jump and high jump, and will hope to compete as a decathlon athlete.

“I started contacting Southwestern around September. The coach and I kept in contact and I would send him updates throughout the track season.” Rosas said. “I’ve already visited the campus and it is beautiful. It felt like home as soon as I stepped foot on campus. The distance between there and home is far, but I’m ready for the challenges that come with being a college athlete.”

Rosas is fresh off his best season as a senior as he claimed both a district title and an area title in his three events.

“My four years here at Harlingen have been great,” he said. “I loved competing here, and being able to hang out and work with my friends has been great. I’m always going to remember my days here, but it has all led to this day and I’m blessed and excited.”