By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
LA VILLA — Two miles east of Edcouch and seven miles west of Santa Rosa lies the small Texas town of La Villa. With its population standing at just under 2,000 residents and a combined student body size of around 600, it’s hard to imagine how a 5-foot-7-freshman phenom softball player has captivated a town while putting the La Villa Lady Cardinals on the map.
Rudie-Jo Garcia or just Rudie as she is known to all of her friends is a standout on the softball field and is a star on the track.
Like many others, Garcia’s love for sports began as far back as she can remember.
Mother Letty Garcia, however, has no trouble remembering in detail.
“She’s been playing (softball) since she was four and I have always known she was awesome at sports,” said Letty Garcia. “I can still remember a specific play when she was still a little girl.
“Rudie-Jo had pitched the ball to the other little girl who hit the ball and Rudie-Jo catches the pop fly then runs to first to tag out the other girl who had ran to second and then the little girl that was on second panicked and didn’t know where to go so Rudie-Jo runs over and tags her for the third out. It was awesome and I have it all on tape.”
The play earned her the nickname “the one man team”, something head Coach Sam Rodriguez has no problem seeing.
“As far as I’m concerned she’s just scratching the surface,” said Coach Rodriguez. “In softball the sky’s the limit because she’s already dominating as a freshman.
“She played on the varsity volleyball team as a freshman and she excelled in track where she got the gold metal in the triple jump qualifying for the regional tournament in Kingsville. In basketball, she was the only player from the team to earn a first team all-district spot.”
In the circle, Garcia has accumulated 82 strikeouts and has pitched two no-hitters in her first season on the varsity team. Her 730-batting average has set the tone for the team’s momentum, while her exceptional work ethic has helped catapult them into the postseason.
“Rudie has been pushed to the limits with her training this year more than she ever has in the past,” said Coach Rodriguez. “At times I was worried with her being burnt out with three workouts a day but she has surprised me with her work ethic.
“She will always be a great athlete but she understands she can be an elite athlete if she continues to work hard.”
Garcia, however, is quick to pass all the praise she receives to the people around her and the ones who have helped her get to where she is today.
“I’m grateful to my previous coaches, friends, family and especially my current coach (Rodriguez) for pushing me hard everyday and taking the time and patience to work with me,” said a soft spoken Garcia. “I grew up with sports and I love all my sports, but softball is my main sport.”
Although Garcia dreams of attending the University of Texas in Austin after high school, for now the shy freshman wonder girl from a small town people sometimes forget, will continue reaching for the stars while keeping her feet grounded on the field.