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.