FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — Third baseman Ali Huerta (Sr.), first baseman Diandra Padilla (So.), shortstop Jav’anna M. Gonzalez (Sr.), and second baseman Melanie A. Gonzalez (Sr.) have you covered. Well if your name is Crystal Castillo and if you happen to pitch for the Lady Greyhounds then they’ve got you covered.
The infield trio of seniors and the young sophomore have come up big on defense during’s San Benito’s recent postseason run.
Jav’anna’s diving catch in Game 2 was a prime example of the type of plays the girls are prepared to do for the team.
“We’ve always had a good defense and that play was a good example of that,” said San Benito head coach Elias Martinez. “It was a good hit but Jav’anna made a great attempt and great effort at it, that’s Jav’anna she going to sell out and she’s going to give you what she has.
“If it’s catchable she’s going get it, if it drops then their was no way. “Everybody play’s a major part and if you have one missing link you start struggling. If you go from catcher, to first, to second, shortstop, and third they are all great athletes and they’re going to give you what they got.”
From an early age Huerta, Melanie Gonzalez, and Jav’anna Gonzalez learned to play side-by-side as the three enjoyed pony league and have fond memories anytime Stokey Park is mentioned. All of the years playing alongside one another have paid off now that the team is ranked second in the state.
“Being number two is more of a reminder that now we have a target on our back and we have to be ready to defend that,” said Jav’anna Gonzalez.
“We’ve come to far to see it end here,” said Huerta.
Melanie Gonzalez agreed saying, “I won’t truly be happy until we make it back to state.”
After her rough start in Game 1, Melanie Gonzalez more than made up for it in Games 2 and 3 going 3-for-5 from the plate with one RBI and scoring two runs.
However after the team’s Regional semifinal victory over San Antonio O’Connor the Lady ‘Hounds moved up to the top spot in the state making the target on their back just a little bit bigger.
Game 1 of the best of three game series Regional Finals against New Braunfels will be on Friday in Cabaniss softball field at 7 p.m.
Game 2 will be Saturday at 2 p.m. and if necessary Game 3 will begin 30 minutes after.