KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
At the start of the 2018 softball season, the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats entered with very high expectations.
Last season was a groundbreaking year with the Lady Cats reaching the region finals for the first time in program history.
Five seniors, who were all a part of last year’s postseason journey, returned this season and were surrounded by sophomores and freshmen.
The freshman group, in particular, was looked at like babies: young, green and full of potential.
At the start of the season, head coach Brett Esparza issued each senior a “baby.” The seniors’ job was to make sure their particular baby didn’t forget her visor or stirrups, and that all the equipment was packed and ready.
It was a role the five seniors embraced because they knew that they were helping to build the next wave of talent.
On Saturday, this talented and hard-working group of seniors wrapped things up at Rio Hondo as the Lady Cats fell to Cuero in a best-of-3 regional quarterfinal series.
Annie Alvarado, who was looked at as the “mother hen” of the bunch, followed by her twin sister, Abbie Alvarado, along with Bianca Cruz, Atheny Orozco and April Adames all bid adieu to their high school softball careers.
“It has been a blessing to have this group of seniors,” Esparza said. “When you think about our season and everything we did, it was only possible to have the season we had because of the five seniors we had. This group was able to lead us to the third round and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to coach this senior group.”
Through their four years, they were part of a district title each year and finished with a 53-3 district record.
Both Alvarados will continue their softball careers at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, joining former teammates Jenny Flores and Alexa Castellanos.
“This program means so much to me. We built a tradition here and I hope the younger girls can continue that tradition,” Annie said. “We couldn’t have done it without Coach Esparza, our teammates and our community. They’re great and I will miss them.
“For the younger girls, even though this is our ending, it’s only their beginning. They’re great players and I have watched them grow from the start of the season. They filled in big roles and did big things for our team.”
Cruz will also continue her career at the college level as she became the first female athlete from Rio Hondo to sign a Division I letter of intent to play ball at Prairie View A&M University
“There is a lot of heart in this program,” Cruz said. “Our coaches, players and school put a lot of effort into this wonderful game. It was an honor and blessing being able to play softball for this program. The youngsters saw this year that nothing is impossible. Yes, the season didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but everything happens for a reason and even with this (latest) loss, I think they will come out stronger and even better for the next few years.”