KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — Very few things are ever guaranteed, but San Benito, there is one thing that is guaranteed and that is Lady Greyhound Softball.
San Benito’s softball program runs with a strong winning tradition and is much like a factory producing softball players year in and year out.
This year, San Benito will graduate a mainstay of seniors, but to no surprise already have their next crop taking in the experience and contributing on the field.
San Benito’s group of four sophomores is made up of pitcher’s Megan Cavazos and Jenessa Silva, catcher and third baseman Jordan Ramos and outfielder Katelyn Garza. All are filling the shoes of former San Benito household names.
“They have certain qualities to them and each one of them has something different to give to the team and program,” said San Benito coach Denise Lira. “In the two years, I have been here you see the development and growth starts young.”
Confident, outgoing and crazy were three words used to describe the youngsters, who have played and grown up with one another.
“Since San Benito is a small town, we all grew up playing with each other,” Ramos said. “We have played together from t-ball all the way through and we are like a family.”
Ramos has had big shoes to fill with Kim Harper and Joanna Gonzalez occupying the catcher’s position over the past few seasons, but has emerged as a key piece on the field and in the lineup.
Much like Gonzalez, Ramos can also play third base and bats in the middle of the order.
“For me, it is just being able to remember what they taught me,” Ramos said. “All the little tips and tricks I learned from them were for me to just stay confident and be a leader on the team and help my pitchers and to put my team first.”
Ramos has been swinging a hot bat, Cavazos has dazzled in the circle and has shown the ability to start and come in as relief. The same can be said about Silva, who entered Wednesday’s game in relief against Brownsville Hanna and kept the Lady Eagles at bay.
“They each bring a different piece to the puzzle,” said Lira. “They have gone through some pressure situations last year that have helped them this year and now that they are getting more experience and playing more. This year, they are gaining confidence and building mental toughness at the plate, the mound and on the field and they are improving themselves and our team.”
Garza has also come into her own in left field. Like Ramos, Garza is filling the shoes of former Lady ’Hound Deztiny Hernandez. Both Garza and Cavazos have stepped up at the plate. Against Harlingen South, both Cavazos and Garza hit back-to-back homers, providing a spark at the bottom of the order.
“It has been challenging,” Garza said. “I had to adjust to my role as a starter from cheering on and being loud in the dugout for my team to being a starter, but it has become a lot easier with my teammates coming in and correcting me and helping me along the way.”
While the pieces are in play for a potential district title and another playoff run this year, the future looks bright with what the underclassman are bringing to the table as they continue to grow and develop.