By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers are playing strong this season, and coach Ray Cardenas credits that to a trio of seniors who’ve taken charge.
Outfielder Thalia Perez, third baseman and pitcher Sarah Sandoval and shortstop Rheana Gomez are Brownsville Veterans’ torch carriers on and off the field.
“I think it’s the fact that we have three seniors who are basically the driving force,” Cardenas said. “Their leadership, their wanting to will this team to win during the summer and during the season, during the athletic period (helps). Basically, the aspect of anytime they’re together has showed the rest of the team that there’s no time to waste. Every minute is important and everything we do will help them win.
“I think that’s the biggest thing right now. Those three seniors whose last season is coming right here and have willed the team to keep going and fighting, stay hungry even though the success they had last year.”
Brownsville Veterans (13-5, 3-1) used the summer to improve and challenge for the District 32-6A title. Cardenas thinks it’s apparent in the way they’ve played so far.
“The girls put a lot of work in this summer, committed to playing and getting themselves better in the summer, and it shows,” he said. “We’ve played a lot of great teams so far in tournaments and competed in every single one of them. I’d say at this point in the season we’re extremely happy with where we’re at now but there’s an understanding that there are big games coming up and there’s still a lot of work to do.”
YOUNG GUNS
Hanna coach Rey Lerma preaches versatility, and that mind set has given him nine Swiss army knives on field.
Four of the sharpest blades are freshmen, young-but-talented athletes who are keeping the Hanna Lady Golden Eagles (7-9, 2-2) in the early hunt for a District 32-6A playoff spot.
Mia Paz, Tabitha Fernandez, Alexis Garcia and Abby Garcia have shown an ability to play multiple positions and a willingness to step up to play while other girls miss time.
“It all goes to the competition you play in the preseason,” Lerma said. “You may not have a very good preseason or tournament record. You allow the kids to play, and I like to move them around to different positions. I tell my girls from the very beginning, ‘I don’t have second basemen. I don’t have shortstops. I have athletes.’ An athlete can fill in at any position and you just have to be able to move.”
The girls have played multiple positions throughout the season, which has helped Hanna weather its injury problems.
“That has really played a real big part,” Lerma continued. “Just being able to move around. It’s been like a chess game. That’s really helped this year.”
GOOD DIRECTION
Positive vibes surround the Lopez Lady Lobos softball team early in the 32-6A season.
First-year coach Jesse Martinez, who served as an assistant at Porter for 12 years, likes where the program is heading in Year 1.
Lopez (9-9, 1-3) has had an up-and-down relationship with success this season but plays competitive ball on a nightly basis.
“We’re pleasantly surprised with the results,” Martinez said. “The girls have been really committed. We have been working really hard since August trying to change the culture, trying to lose that negative image of the program. We have a new coaching staff here and we had some good freshman join us.”
Joshua McKinney covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @joshuabvherald.