KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — The Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats continue to etch their name in Valley softball history.

This year’s team became just the second squad in program history to reach the regional quarterfinals and is now the first team in program history to reach the regional semifinals.

This club is quite special and a majority of the girls have played together their entire lives. The chemistry runs deep and the bond is tight.

Teamwork and chemistry aside, the Lady Bobcats can hurt an opponent in many ways and it’s not just one or two players who contribute.

From top to bottom, the lineup provides speed and power, and every night someone different steps up to the plate and contributes.

“It’s amazing what our offense can do,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “Each night somebody different steps up. It’s not just the top of the order or middle, but our whole line up can hit the ball.”

After dropping Game 1 to Orange Grove last Friday, the Lady Cats forced a Game 3 and in the fourth inning, trailing 2-1, junior Bianca Cruz hit a grand slam that shot the Lady Bobcats ahead for good.

“I started in an 0-1 hole and on the next pitch it was a rise ball and, wow, I haven’t seen such a perfect riser in a long time. I just swung and I didn’t even know the ball went over the fence,” Cruz said.

Cruz finished the game with nine RBIs and is just one example on how dangerous the Lady Cats’ lineup can be. So far Cruz is 6 for 12 this postseason.

Tianna Sandoval, who’s hitting 5 for 12 in the playoffs, is the ideal leadoff hitter as she can bunt, hit and hit for power.

Alexa Castellanos, meanwhile, is 4 for 12 and has helped spark the offense several times.

Through the first three weeks of the playoffs, Rio Hondo is averaging nine runs per game and has scored 10 or more runs in all but one contest.

Rio Hondo’s hot offense is set for Wimberley in a Region IV-4A regional semifinal. Game 1 begins at 7:30 tonight. Game 2 begins at 5 p.m. Saturday and Game 3, if needed, will follow 30 minutes after. All games will be played at Sinton High School.

“We’re excited to be here,” said Sandoval. “As a senior to be the first team ever to make it to the Sweet 16 is really something special. We have full confidence in each other and that has helped us get this far. As far as our offense goes, we’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LA FERIA — After family and friends filed into the La Feria High School library to witness basketball star Jalen Morrell’s signing day, La Feria principal Isaac Rodriguez opened the ceremony with a speech.

Rodriguez told the story of a freshman player who entered a game and knocked down three pointer after three pointer. At this point, Rodriguez said he suddenly realized that the upperclassmen on the team were chanting “freshman,” as a sign of respect, which is something that rarely happens. That freshman was Morrell.

On Thursday afternoon, Morrell became the first La Feria basketball player in program history to sign a letter of intent to play at the college level. He will be attending Schreiner University in Kerrville where he plans to major in biology.

“All my hard work and long hours in the gym has paid off,” said Morrell. “I just recently found out that I’m the first basketball player (from La Feria) to sign. It’s a blessing to be the first one. I hope I set an example for the younger guys that anything is possible.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to play basketball. At first I thought it would be tough to get a scholarship, but I got so much support that I realized it was possible.”

Earlier this year, Morrell was named The Valley Morning Star’s ALL-STAR Offensive Player of the Year after he averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals per game on his way to helping the Lions win a second consecutive District 32-4A title.

The 6-foot-1 small forward may have to make a transition to either point guard or shooting guard once he joins the Mountaineers this fall, but it’s a move Morrell said he would be ready for.

“I’m ready to do what the coaches ask of me,” he said. “I first got in contact with Schreiner a month and a half ago. They had received letters and e-mails on me, and we were able to set up a visit. When I went for a visit, I fell in love with the campus and I knew it was the place I wanted to be.”

La Feria head basketball coach Dario Sanchez said Morrell’s presence will be missed next season.

“We’re definitely going to miss him,” Sanchez said. “Over the past four years, especially this year, he served as a leader and continued to make plays for us when we needed him to. Day in and day out he worked hard, and we’re proud of him.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Three teams in the Valley remain alive and well in the Texas high school softball playoffs: Rio Hondo, Weslaco and Harlingen South.

Ironically enough, Weslaco and South are out of District 32-6A.

This time last season, it was District 31-6A that made a statement as both Edinburg North and Weslaco made an appearance in the regional semifinals. Fast-forward to 2017 and Weslaco, to no surprise, is back in the same spot and has a rematch with New Braunfels Canyon, which the Lady Panthers beat last year in the regional final to advance to the state semis.

Edinburg North fell a win shy of an all-Valley regional final after bowing out to NB Canyon in the regional semifinals.

A year later, 32-6A is making its case as the conference to beat. Last season, 31-6A completed a clean sweep of 32-6A in the bi-district round, but this year 32-6A countered with a 3-1 record against 31-6A.

The big surprise this postseason has been the Harlingen South Lady Hawks, which is a team stacked with underclassmen and led by second-year coach Elias Martinez.

Harlingen South is making its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2013.

Rio Hondo, meanwhile, is in uncharted waters as the Lady Cats are in the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in program history. However, that doesn’t faze the Lady Cats.

All three clubs have something in common. Sure, the lineups are deep and provide pop, but it’s the pitching that paves the way for these teams in the postseason.

Weslaco will send either senior Taylor Tafolla or sophomore Ashley Sada to the mound in Game 1 of their series.

Harlingen South, meanwhile, has a pair of juniors in Daisy Gallegos and Kaitlynn De La Fuente.

Finally, Rio Hondo will throw Jennifer Flores or Miranda Martinez.

All six pitchers have postseason experience and are poised to be the difference makers this weekend.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN —In sports, suffering an injury is always tough to deal with. In some cases, an injury can sideline a player for an extended period of time or can even end a season.

When a player’s season ends due to an injury, it’s up to the player on how to handle it.

For Harlingen South senior third baseman Daniella Cavazos, she had to deal with a season-ending injury. And she’s done so by serving as a vocal team leader along with helping South’s coaching staff.

On March 16, Harlingen South was at Weslaco High. Cavazos, who was playing first base, tried reaching for a ball thrown at her when her arm got caught up with the runner. Cavazos later learned she suffered a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in her elbow, thus ending her season.

“I was sad that my season ended and it’s my senior year,” said Cavazos. “I love softball. I’ve played it since I was 5 years old. After the injury, I knew I had to help my team any way possible. I love my team and I’m so happy for them, and what they have accomplished so far.”

Cavazos has taken the negative and turned it into a positive by attending games and practices. She also helps the coaching staff in the dugout with stats or will even keep the scorebook.

Along with the book duties, Cavazos motivates her teammates in various ways, including coming up with different chants or even by just patting them on the back.

On the field, the Lady Hawks are alive and well in the playoffs and Cavazos has been there every step of the way. Meanwhile, Cavazos just may have found a little bit of coach in her.

“After high school, my plans are to attend Texas State Technical College, get my basics and then maybe transfer out,” said Cavazos. “I plan on majoring in education and getting into counseling. To be honest, I enjoy the coaching side of it; I like to share with the girls what I know or what I might see, so, hey, who knows? I might end up coaching one day.”

Cavazos still hasn’t fully recovered from her injury, but she is on the right track and no longer has to wear a brace.

“I’m not 100 percent just yet, but I’m getting there,” she said. “I can’t fully straighten my arm yet; it’s taking a long time to recover, but I have support from my family and my team.”

WHAT IS a UCL INJURY?

Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow is a sprain (tear) of one of the ligaments on the inner side of the elbow. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a structure that helps keep the normal relationship of the upper arm bone (humerus) and the one of the forearm bones (ulna). This ligament is injured in throwing types of sports or after elbow dislocation or surgery. UCL injury is caused by a force that exceeds the strength of the ligament. This injury usually is the result of throwing repetitively or particularly hard. -Information provided by Central States Orthopedics

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — After a gut-check series win against South San Antonio this past weekend, the Harlingen South Lady Hawks are clicking on all cylinders and are now on a collision course with San Antonio Brennan in a Class 6A Region IV semifinal.

This will be South’s fourth trip to the Sweet 16 and its first appearance since the 2013 season.

South entered the playoffs as a three seed and a roster full of underclassmen. Only two seniors are in the starting lineup including first baseman Ashley Reyna and shortstop Jasmin Gallegos.

And not only was the club young, but several players had nagging injuries. Junior third baseman and defensive specialist Caitlyn Hejl suffered a shoulder injury over the course of the district season, but managed to return to the lineup in time for the playoffs.

Hejl who doesn’t ordinarily bat in the lineup, entered Game 3 of the Lady Hawks’ regional quarterfinal series this past Saturday as a pinch hitter and laid down a crucial sacrifice bunt that moved the winning run over to third.

“While I was out, I just did everything the trainer asked me to do. I was happy to make it back in time for the playoffs,” Hejl said. “I understand my role and I’m ready to do anything the coaches ask me to do.”

Hejl is one of four juniors on the team and then a crop of sophomores follows. Catcher Krystal Gonzales has played a vital role behind the dish this postseason. Like a linebacker in football, Gonzales directs traffic on the field and has the ability to step in the circle as she did this past weekend.

“I knew if I had to pitch I’d be ready,” said Gonzales. “When I came in to pitch, Kaitlynn had that look and I knew she had faith in me because she is my best friend and I knew I could pick her up. Wherever coach needs me, I’m ready. I love my team and I’ll do what it takes for us to win. It’s amazing what we can all do and it’s not just one of us. Our freshmen have stepped up big as well.”

As far as the outfield goes, Natasha Canales has played a major role in left field. Canales, a sophomore, is paired up with junior center fielder Kaitlynn De La Fuente and freshman right fielder Kayla Rogers.

“We have played together for a long time. We go back to playing travel ball and that has helped us at the varsity level,” said Canales. “Coach has us well prepared each week and he stresses the fundamentals every day we go out there.”

Heading into this weekend’s series against Brennan, the Lady Hawks will have their hands full. According to MySanAntonio.com, Brennan was ranked sixth in the San Antonio area and recently completed a series sweep against top-ranked SA Johnson.

But South knows what it takes to win and proved it this past weekend by coming back from an 0-1 series deficit to beat South San 2-1.

“We got down after Game 1, but our kids regrouped and responded in a big way,” said South coach Elias Martinez. “This past game was a perfect example on how to handle adversity, and our kids worry about themselves and don’t worry about anyone else.

“After Game 1 we pointed out what we did right and what we did wrong, and on Saturday we came out with a new mentality and it showed. We played Lady Hawk softball and our girls handled it well. We’re excited for not only for the next challenge, but to keep playing softball.”

The Lady Hawks’ best-of-three series, which will be played at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Game 2 begins at noon Saturday and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes afterward.