By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers’ big win against San Benito on Tuesday proved one thing: They’re capable of competing with the best.
Brownsville Veterans (19-6, 9-2) now sits one game behind San Benito (24-1, 10-1) in the District 32-6A standings.
Catching the Lady Greyhounds for the district crown might be a long shot, but the Lady Chargers aren’t worried about that. They’re getting into playoff mode and are looking to do some damage in Region IV-6A.
“Our focus right now is going as deep as we can (in the playoffs),” coach Ray Cardenas said. “Our pitching, I think, is phenomenal. We’ve worked all three girls during the season. They’re all pitching at a really high level right now. Gives us a great ability to win series if we have to go two out of three.
“I think we can go long and I’m really hoping that if everybody stays healthy, we’re going to make a long run and make history here.”
Down the stretch
Playing two state-ranked teams down the stretch will help the Porter Cowgirls get into playoff mode early, says coach Ariel Arredondo.
PSJA High and Mercedes are both ranked in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s latest Class 5A poll (PSJA High at No. 18 and Mercedes at No. 25), and sit in District 32-5A’s top two spots.
The Cowgirls (15-10, 9-3) face both teams in their final two games of the season.
“The top two teams in our district are very tough,” Arredondo said. “Both have very seasoned and experienced players and coaches, they always bring everything they have and never leave anything to chance but the positive is that helps better prepare us for playoffs.
“Having two tough teams at the very end helps give my girls the experience and the momentum going into the first round. Win or lose my girls are only getting more prepared.
Porter lost to PSJA High, 5-2, and Mercedes, 9-3, in the first round of 32-5A games, but the team remains optimistic that it can win at least one of these games.
“We are hoping to steal one from PSJA and Mercedes,” Arredondo said. “We are positive and eager, ready to play in the first round.”
Hard road
Back-to-back losses to Harlingen South (3-2) and Harlingen High (5-2) damped the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons’ playoff hopes this season.
Coach Traci Blackman said both games were close but little mistakes but Los Fresnos (15-9-1, 5-6) in a difficult position, tied with Harlingen for fourth place in the District 32-6A standings.
“I know in the past we were able to get past those things, but it seems like this year when we make an error, it creates more errors,” Blackman said. “We’re not able to get past it. They’re very hard on themselves. My girls don’t like to disappoint and this year’s that what we’ve seen. I think they try so hard sometimes that things don’t work out for them. It’s not for a lack of effort.”
The goal for the final three games of the season is to close out with wins and most importantly, have fun.
“We have three games left,” Blackman said. “We just want to go out there and have fun, let the girls come enjoy the game and play hard. See what happens.”
Los Fresnos plays Rivera, Brownsville Veterans and Hanna to end the season.
Joshua McKinney covers high school sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @joshuabvherald.