KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
RIO HONDO — Along the outfield wall at Rio Hondo’s softball field, district championship banners hang alongside several playoff banners, which serve as a reminder of what has been and can be for the new wave of talent in Rio Hondo.
After last season, the Lady Cats bid farewell to the big five of Jennifer Flores, Miranda Martinez, Alexa Castellanos, Tianna Sandoval and Kaila Zepeda, who set the standard and passed the torch to a new set of players who are ready to step up and continue the programs’ winning tradition.
“One of the big things that is similar to last year’s group is the continuity,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “They play for each other and they learned to be selfless and are driven to reach our ultimate goal. We have been able to put the pieces in play and our district record shows that.”
This year’s new group consists of five freshmen and one sophomore along with some savvy veterans. Nayeli Garcia is the lone sophomore who is in her second year on the varsity team and bats leadoff.
Freshmen pitchers Dominique De Jesus and Kelsey Pizarro have emerged as a strong 1-2 punch in the circle behind senior ace Annie Alvarado. Both Pizarro and De Jesus can also play the infield.
“Coming into the varsity, I knew I had to step up and overcome some obstacles,” De Jesus said. “The varsity level is much faster and you have to work just as hard. In the circle I don’t focus on the size or age, just whatever coach tells me to throw I go out there and give it my best.”
In the outfield, Emma Serna, Savanna Gonzalez and Abbie Torris round out the five freshmen. Gonzalez has filled in smoothly in the outfield and has played in 22 games this season while Torris has also found her form in left field.
At the plate, Torris is batting over .600 and leads the club in just about every offensive category.
“I see the banners and I want to do those things, I want to be as great as they were,” said Gonzalez.
Earlier in the season, Gonzalez filled in for senior Bianca Cruz, who suffered an early season injury, and has remained in the outfield while Cruz occupies the designated player position.
“I see her (Bianca) play and I want to be like her and do the things she does,” said Gonzalez. “She motivates me to be better and to improve. The speed of the game has been the biggest challenge; the girls know where to locate pitches, but the older girls have helped me in so many ways.”
Garcia, who has thrived in the leadoff spot, has the big-game experience and has provided a steady glove at third base this season.
“Last year helped me mature a lot. I knew I had to step up even though I was just a freshman,” Garcia said. “This year, I see myself guiding the younger girls. Last year, I saw us rely on the older girls and now the younger girls can rely on me because I believe in them. I know we can do big things and I want to give the girls that extra motivation because the older girls gave me that last year.”