KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO— Under first-year coach Denise Lira, the San Benito Lady Greyhounds went 13-1 in arguably the toughest district in the Rio Grande Valley, 32-6A, and marched their way to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2015 season.
While the Lady ’Hounds lost five seniors to graduation, including Joanna Gonzalez and Audrey Huerta, there are still plenty of pieces in play for a district title defense and another postseason run.
Senior hurlers Sarah Garcia and ace Nana Carrizales will take the circle for the Lady ’Hounds. Look for fellow senior AJ Jasso to have a encore season, as she has developed into a utility weapon on defense.
Seniors April Garcia and Stephanie Lopez also will look to contribute, along with junior first baseman Kari Cisneros, who is poised to have a breakout junior year.
“The kids who are all back understand the expectations and what needs to be done,” Lira said. “Every team is different, and we have goals this year and we have gone over them. This year we have a strong group returning, and we have some newcomers that will have to fill in some big shoes this year.”
Harlingen South
The Lady Hawks return nine starters from last year’s squad. This year’s bunch is arguably the most experienced team coach Elias Martinez has had entering his fourth year.
While pitching has been a strong suit the past few years, this year the Lady Hawks will need to fill the shoes of Daisy Gallegos and Kaitlynn De La Fuente, who both graduated last spring.
“We have a lot of familiar names back this year but we also lost two of our pitchers,” Martinez said. “We also lost our third baseman, so those are some big shoes we have to fill. Those key positions are important for us to fill, and, as far as the pitching goes, it is a concern for us, but we are going to pitch by committee until someone stands out.”
On offense, South is loaded from top to bottom. The heart of the order just might be the most dangerous, with Kytana Muniz, Krystal Gonzales, Tina Arellano and Alyssa Ledesma all able to provide power at the plate. Leadoff hitter Natasha Canales provides speed along with Melba Rodriguez and Kelsey Rivera, who have a knack for getting on base.
The outfield will also be a strong suit. Rodriguez, Canales, Muniz and Kayla Rogers will make up the outfield and, on paper, the four make up one of the most experienced and polished outfields in the area.
Los Fresnos
After a bumpy 4-9 district season in 2018, the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons enter a new district and new season.
With both Weslaco schools packing up and heading to District 31-6A, 32-6A is a six-team unit, making things a lot tougher for the squads involved.
“Every game is going to be big for us,” Los Fresnos coach Traci Blackmon said. “Our main goal is to stick to the process, stay together as a team and finish the season strong. There is no room to relax, there are some tough teams in our district and it will be a battle for the top four spots.”
Los Fresnos has 10 players returning to the varsity squad this year. Look for Reba Reyes, Vicky Perales, Aileen Avelar, Loren Cantu, Samantha Campos and Valerie Guevara to have a hand in this year’s playoff push.
“The past couple of seasons have been tough. We have barely missed the playoffs each of the last few years. Our team has great chemistry right now. If we can continue on this path, I believe that we can have a great season and possibly get back into the playoffs,” Blackmon said.
Brownsville Hanna
Brownsville Hanna just might be a sleeper team in District 32-6A. Hanna went 4-10 in district play last season but returns multiple pieces to the puzzle in 2019.
“Last season ended without a playoff spot, but we fought until the last out of the season. With eight starters returning this year, I hope the girls can meet my expectations and reach the playoffs this year,” coach Greg Larson said.
As seniors, Ariana Arceneaux will play center field, June Rivera and Tabitha Fernandez will anchor the infield, and Abbygale Garcia will take her place behind the dish. Those four will look to step in and lead this spring.
Diana Guerrero is returns to the circle for her third year. She will be teamed with Alexandria Rivera, who also is in the infield. Returning to the outfield will be Jo Daisy Morin and Brianna Martinez.
“District 32-6A is a very tough district, and since there are only 10 district games, they all are very important,” Larson said. “Every win is important, and we cannot afford to give away any games this year. We expect to play hard and hope to come away with enough wins to make the playoffs this year, but every team should expect that, so we just need to keep working and get better every day.”
Brownsville Rivera
The Lady Raiders just lost two players to graduation last spring. This year, Rivera returns six members to its varsity squad.
“Entering our 2019 season, we have hopes and expectations that we will be better than we were last year and be competitive in our district. Making the playoffs is our goal, and I believe we have the talent enough to reach us there,” Rivera coach Joel Guzman said.
This year, the Lady Raiders will be led by their lone senior, Anahi Reyes. Reyes is slated to anchor the defense from the catcher position. Sophomore Bethany Guzman will toe the rubber for Rivera, and there is a three-year starter at third base in Irma Valdez. Valdez also will provide the offense.
Keep tabs on young and athletic freshman Kenya Ibarra at the shortstop position. Juniors Alexandra Perez and Daisy Vazquez are three-year starters that will bring experience to a youthful club this spring.
Harlingen High
The Lady Cardinals just missed the playoffs last season and return a crop of players led by Seniors Emily Garcia and Carla Arellano.
Garcia, a left-handed catcher, provides a strong defensive presence behind the plate and is able to bat in the middle of the order.
Pitching will be a key this spring. Arellano and junior Zoe Rosas will look to carry the load for the Lady Cards. Harlingen High also will be young with a strong freshman group coming up this spring.
DISTRICT 32-5A
Brownsville Veterans
After their heartbreaking loss against Corpus Christi Carroll in last year’s regional quarterfinal series, this year’s group of Lady Chargers are as motivated as ever to get past that bump in the road.
Brownsville Veterans is the reigning back-to-back district champion and is favored to win its third straight.
“A lot of these girls, especially the seniors, they have experience and have been starters,” Lady Chargers coach Rayner Cardenas said. “They set the bar for this program, and they have their expectations and they want to keep the tradition going. I know we are young as a program, but we are trying to establish a tradition and these girls have set the bar and have help build that.”
While the Lady Chargers bid farewell to pitcher Cassie Valdez and catcher Harley Morales, Mia Anzaldua will take the circle for BVM and will serve as the club’s workhorse.
As a junior, Anzaldua went 12-3 and struck out 180 batters, yielding just 47 hits and surrendering nine runs in 97 innings of work. Along with that came her dazzling 0.649 ERA.
Anzaldua is primed for an encore senior year and will be a big key to the Lady Chargers’ success in 2019.
“(Mia) has been on the varsity for four years,” Cardenas said. “Her pitching is what sets her apart from other players, she is extremely talented and she is a hard worker, and once she is done here, she goes home and works, and works all through the offseason.”
Brownsville Pace
Pace will enter the new season with some motivation and knowledge of the game. Pace went 5-9 last year in district and missed the postseason.
“This year’s goal is to be competitive in a tough district,” Pace coach Boris Vega said. “We are looking to improve from last year, and we are looking to earn a playoff spot. The team knows that as long as they continue to put the work in, it will pay off.”
Leading the way will be a pair of seniors in Jazlyn Cavazos and Abbi Rodriguez. The junior class is strong and will have Sheng Martinez, Alexis Rodriguez and Lauren Mares. Freshman Arlette Toledo also will look to make her varsity debut in 2019.
Brownsville Porter
The Cowgirls will have five players returning from last year’s group. The sophomore class will be a strong one for Porter as it looks to compete in the tough 32-5A.
The chemistry is in place, and one important part for Porter will be their at-bats, along with plenty of confidence.
“This season we are focusing on quality at-bats and teaching our girls how to think like ballplayers,” Porter coach Ariel Arredondo said. “We have a strong team this year that works well together, and one thing about them is they push each other to be better.”
Porter opens the regular season Tuesday at PSJA North. Their district opener will be against Donna High on Feb. 26.
Brownsville Lopez
Lopez will enter the 2019 season with five returning starters from last season. The Lady Lobos went 14-19 overall and will look to make the playoffs for a third straight year under coach Jesus Martinez.
“This year we expect to win games by using solid fundamentals, defense and on offense,” the Lopez skipper said. “This group is a determined group, and they all have learned how to fight together. Expect to see us make a run at the district title and certainly the playoffs.”
Lopez will lean on the twin combo of Alexis and Alexandria Castro. Jennifer Sanchez will patrol center field, Becky Ibarra will play second base, Bianca Olguin will take her place at first base and Larissa Moody will play catcher.
DISTRICT 32-4A
Rio Hondo
The Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats will look for their sixth straight district title in 2019. Like two years ago, Rio Hondo loses some household names, but it always retools rather than resets.
This year’s group will be led by a pair of seasoned veterans in senior slugger Kayla Castaneda and junior Nayeli Garcia. Castaneda is back in the lineup and healthy after missing all of 2018 with a knee injury.
“We are all excited to be back on the field,” Garcia said. “We all understand the expectation, and we know what it takes to get there. Coach (Brett) Esparza does a great job on getting us ready. Now it’s Kayla and I’s turn to lead the team, and help guide the younger girls.
In the circle, hard-throwing Kelsey Pizarro returns with Domo De Jesus. The two are sophomores but have plenty of experience when toeing the rubber.
Offensively, Abbie Torris, a sophomore, will look to provide power with Castaneda in the middle of the order. Fellow sophomores Savanah Gonzalez and Emma Serna will contribute from the outfield.
La Feria
The Lionettes will be under the direction of first-year coach Daryl Gonzales. La Feria will have four returning starters and will have seven returning overall.
“The girls have responded well to the coaching change,” Gonzales said. “The team is led by a young nucleus that is showing a lot of potential to make this the year the Lionettes return to the postseason.”
Faith Mckenzie and Abbie Castillo will take the circle this year for the Lionettes. Mckenzie can play the outfield, and Castillo will look to play second base. Shay Trevino and Sarahee Salazar will make up part of the outfield, and look for Eneli Garza to anchor the shortstop position.
“Our goal is always to make a push for a district title and earn a spot in the postseason. Look for our one-two punch in Mckenzie and Castillo inside the circle,” Gonzales said.
Port Isabel
The Lady Tarpons are right in the middle of the pack in 32-4A. Port Isabel lost six starters to graduation, five of them being position players and one a designated player.
While they lost a lot, the Lady Tarpons also return four key players from last year’s squad. Leading the way will be the hard-hitting Gabby Murchison. Along with Murchison, Marlisa Martinez, Vivi Cantu and Allison Gonzalez will have an impact.
Port Isabel will look to build on a strong 2018 season were they went 9-5 in district play and finished in third.
“I think we have one of the toughest districts in the Valley,” Port Isabel coach Danno Wise said. “Rio Hondo is always good. Zapata is good and they bring a lot of players back. Raymondville, Hidalgo and La Feria are always in the mix as well, and Grulla always plays us tough.”
Raymondville
Raymondville will enter with the new season with plenty of experience. The Lady ’Kats have eight returning starters this year, led by Rachel Muniz, Julissa Guerrero, Victoria Hernandez, and Celyna Vasquez.
“Our seniors are our leaders this year. They are extremely strong, vocal, and willing to learn,” first-year coach Cassandra Hernandez said. “We have a lot of girls that will stand out this year, and I’m excited to see them shine.”
Hernandez makes her return to the Rio Grande Valley after coaching at Kingsville High last season. Prior to that, Hernandez guided the Harlingen High Lady Cardinals for two seasons.
“Returning to the RGV is exciting for me. It is about family and giving my all to a program that deserves to be on the map,” she said.
Along with the experience and a competitive district, Hernandez sees plenty of potential.
“We have all weapons for the game; speed, power, and mentally strong,” Hernandez said. “We have been putting in work in the weight room to implement that mental toughness and pushing through everything even when you’re tired. We always push harder until the end. I’m excited to see these girls at work.”
DISTRICT 32-3A
Lyford
During the past few seasons, Lyford softball has been one of the top programs in the lower Valley.
Entering the 2019 season, the Lady Bulldogs are shooting for their third straight undefeated district season. Last year, Lyford went 9-0 in 32-3A play and reached the postseason, but bowed out in the bi-district round.
“I feel this year’s motivation is that the kids genuinely understand the meaning about playing for each other,” Lyford coach Joey Rios said. “We have had team meetings, and we all understand the big picture. The girls feel empowered and motivated to grow on and off the field.”
Lyford returns six starters from last year’s team. Look for freshmen Mikaela Lopez and Mia Wetegrove to make their varsity debuts. Junior slugger Jerrica Rojas is back, along with sophomore Hannah Garza and junior Jessica Cruz.
Santa Rosa
The Lady Warriors will look to compete again in 32-3A. While Santa Rosa has perennial power Lyford in the district, the task will be tough with a young club taking the field.
“We are in a rebuilding year. Our main goal is to get better each day and to compete in every game we play,” Santa Rosa coach Erica Molina said.
Santa Rosa has two returning starters from last season in second-team all-district shortstop Kelly Guerra and all-district catcher Brandy Anaya.
The Lady Warriors went 6-3 last year in district play and, despite the youth, Santa Rosa should be in the mix for a playoff berth.