BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
After 20 seasons, 17 playoff appearances, district titles and deep playoff runs, Mercedes coach Betty Morrell decided 2017 would be her last leading the program. Kristy Leal, fresh off her second season at San Benito, heard about the opening but wasn’t sure if she wanted to pursue the job.
“I saw it as an opportunity, but I also loved San Benito,” Leal said. “I loved the people over there — the kids. Everything was awesome over there. It hurt having to make the decision, but at the end of the day, it was something that I had to do.”
During Mercedes ISD’s school board meeting last June 26, the board approved Leal as the Tigers’ new coach. Leal had a short but successful stay leading San Benito. She went 53-10 overall and 25-3 in district play over two seasons, including an outright district title in 2016.
One of the major factors in Leal’s decision to leave was the chance to move to a more familiar part of the Valley.
“My parents worked in Mercedes for a long time,” Leal said. “My brothers and sisters went to school there, so I’ve been around Mercedes athletics and Mercedes in general my whole life. This is close to home, this is a place that I care about, and it’s a place full of tradition. It was a no-brainer.”
Morrell left Leal more than enough pieces to win big during her first season, including first-team all-district performers Mika Vento and Sam Flores. As a freshman pitcher in 2017, Vento was named The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year.
“In addition to Mika, we have three other kids who can throw at the varsity level. They’ll all see time in the circle,” Leal said. “Each one of them brings something different to the table, which is something I’m excited about.”
Leaving a one-high-school district like Class 6A San Benito for another one-high-school district in Class 5A Mercedes might be a step down in terms of classification, but Leal doesn’t see a difference in talent.
“Softball in the Valley has grown so much that the more kids that play the sport that regardless if they’re at a 4A or 6A level, these kids are competitive,” Leal said. “Softball is something they know they can excel in.
“I know we have a lot of speed and a lot of power this year. A bunch of our kids are utility players, which surprised me. I could tell them to go to any position, and they’re up for the task. We’re going to use that to our advantage.”
After controlling the district for quite some time, Mercedes was dethroned by Brownsville Veterans, which went a perfect 14-0 in district play to win the District 32-5A title outright in 2017.
“I’m familiar with Brownsville Vets, because they were in our district when I was with San Benito,” Leal said. “It’s going to come down to working hard and knowing our opponents. I’m going to bring what I hope are new things to this program that are going to work to our strengths. We have the opportunity to bring back district championships here. The kids have to buy in, play the game and get it done.”
The Tigers open the season Tuesday against Edinburg Vela, which finished tied for third in District 31-6A in 2017. Then, Mercedes will take part in the ultracompetitive Mission Fastpitch Tournament. The three-day tournament begins Thursday.
“My main goal when I got here was to stack our schedule,” Leal said. “I want to play the best. We need to beat the best in order to be the best. We tried to get as many quality teams to play us early on in the season to get us ready for district. I know Edinburg High (2017 District 31-6A champions) got into to the Mission tournament, and (Edinburg) Vela did, as well. It’s going to be awesome.”
RGVSports.com Preseason Top 10
1, Weslaco High
2, Edinburg High
3, Rio Hondo
4, Brownsville Veterans
6, Mercedes
7, Sharyland Pioneer
8, San Benito
9, Edcouch-Elsa
10, McAllen High
Preseason Five players to watch
Brittany Castillo, Sr., catcher, McAllen High
Castillo returns to the Bulldogs as their top RBI producer (33) and power threat (five home runs) from 2017.
Audrey Escamilla, Jr., catcher, Weslaco High
Escamilla earned the honor of Softball Player of the Year Award at the 2017 All-Valley Sports Award Banquet as well as The Monitor’s All-Area Offensive Player of the Year.
Amber Reyes, Sr., pitcher/centerfielder, Edinburg High
Reyes had a memorable 2017 after earning The Monitor’s All-Area Player of the Year in June and signing on to play college softball at Texas A&M-Kingsville in December.
Hope Rodriguez, Jr., catcher/third baseman, Edinburg North
As a sophomore, Rodriguez hit a blistering .532 with seven home runs and 39 runs batted in. She was named as a District 31-6A co-Offensive Most Valuable Player in 2017.
Mika Vento, So., pitcher/infielder, Mercedes
Vento leads the Tiger pitching staff in her sophomore season after capturing The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year in 2017.