KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — Two of the Valley’s richest softball programs will go toe-to-toe Friday night. San Benito will travel to Edinburg North in a one-game playoff in the Class 6A bi-district round. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
Edinburg North finished with a 9-5 record out of District 31-6A, and is led by their junior slugger Hope Rodriguez. The Lady Coogs are looking to avenge last year’s early playoff exit when they lost to Harlingen South in the bi-district round in what was also a one game playoff.
Meanwhile, San Benito enters the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the Valley and rode a 10-game win streak to a 13-1 record and a district title under first year skipper Denise Lira.
“On Tuesday we worked on live situations and throughout the week we will continue to work on the little things,” said Lira. “We have worked on some hitting and did some conditioning, and we will continue to work on hitting and defense.”
Sophomore first baseman Karina Cisneros has swung a hot bat and has provided a spark at the bottom of the Lady Hounds order. Cisneros is no stranger to the postseason either.
“Everything I learned last year I have brought it with me this year,” Cisneros said. “It helps to have playoff experience and to have played in a tough district it’s prepared us for the playoffs. Right now at the plate I’m seeing the ball well. I’m staying in my zone and whatever comes in my zone I’ll take it.”
Cisneros cranked a homer against Weslaco and in their regular season finale against rival Harlingen she belted a pair of homers.
“That is a career high for me,” said Cisneros. “I’ve never hit two homers in a game. I’m hoping I can carry that into the playoffs.”
Another youngster that has risen to the occasion has been junior pitcher Eliana Carrizales. The righty has provided the Lady Hounds with top of the rotation stuff and has now gained plenty of confidence over the course of a gauntlet schedule.
Carrizales too has postseason experience and has toed the rubber in big games this season and is ready to lead the Lady Hounds in the postseason. Both Carrizales and fellow junior pitcher Sarah Garcia provided a steady 1-2 punch in the circle.
“We have been preparing since Saturday,” Carrizales said. “We need to continue to work and work together. With the playoffs here, we all step up our game a notch, we’re getting ready to play a solid team on Friday, and we know they will be ready. Right now I’m just continuing to practice and get myself ready and with all of my experience has me mentally prepared for the playoffs.”
“We are going to take every series or one game playoff as if it were our last,” Lira said. “We’re going to go after it and take a series as one game. Our experience is important and the seniors have stepped up with their leadership, so we’re hoping that experience will show this postseason.”
| San Benito’s Deztiny Hernandez runs the bases during a practice earlier this week. Kevin Narro | Valley Morning Star |