By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
Kelcie Swink has played four sports during her time at Port Isabel, seems to excel on every field, court or diamond and has made plans to continue displaying her athleticism at the collegiate level.
She has been recognized for her success at every turn, but there’s something she hasn’t done: win an MVP award in softball.
That changes days before she graduates high school, as she’s been awarded The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Softball MVP award. The senior boasts a staggering 1.378 OPS to go with a .521 batting average. In 53 plate appearances, Swink struck out three times. She accounted for more than 20 percent of her team’s RBIs with 22, and she led the Lady Tarpons in hits (25) and doubles (6).
“It’s amazing,” said Swink, who was a member of the All-Metro first team and All-Valley second team in 2014. “I was hoping I would get something for All-Metro, but I wasn’t expecting this. I was really surprised, and I’m really grateful.”
Swink attributes her success this season to a different approach at the plate.
“This year, I’ve been a lot more calm in the box,” she said, “and I think that’s what may have pushed (my batting average) up.”
But as for her work ethic, that hasn’t changed.
“I don’t think I took it any differently than the other years,” she said. “I always wanted to do my best and give my team what they deserved, which is the best I had. I think that’s the way I always play.”
Her coach feels the same way, and pinpoints the effort and determination of his first baseman and All-Metro pitcher of the year Victoria Cantu as differentiating factors.
“When you ask about what makes them better, it’s their hard work,” Jesus Garza said. “What we do in practice, for them, is not enough. They go home, and they do extra. On the weekends, they’re doing extra. They play their summer leagues. There’s always more that they feel that they can bring to the team.
“With Kelcie doing the (RGV basketball showcase), we made time for her to get extra practice in before so that way she could make time for other things because she didn’t just excel in this one sport.”
Swink was the backbone of a Port Isabel offense that outscored its District 32-4A opponents 135-30 in 14 games. The squad also tied for the district championship and entered the playoffs as a No. 1 seed. Unfortunately for the Lady Tarpons, they drew a tough first opponent in Ingleside and lost their bi-district game 11-1.
That does not diminish the season Swink had, and having a stellar year like she did and maintaining a certain work ethic will help her in the future.
The senior is next moving on to York College in Nebraska, where she signed to play softball in April.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.
The Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Softball Team
Superlatives
Most Valuable Player
Kelcie Swink, Port Isabel
Pitcher of the Year
Victoria Cantu, Port Isabel
Newcomer of the Year
Cassie Valdez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Coach of the Year
Ray Cardenas, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
1st Team
Pitcher: JulietteGonzales, Hanna
Catcher: Cassandra Abrego, Hanna
First Base: Danielle Sanchez, Porter
Second Base: Brittany Rey , Hanna
Third Base: Sarah Sandoval, Brownsville Veterans
Shortstop: Maya Guevara, Los Fresnos
Left Field: Marina Wise-Herring, Port Isabel
Center Field: Karla Sosa, Porter
Right Field: Yisel Richeson, Brownsville Veterans
2nd Team
Pitcher: Sabrina Garcia, Porter
Catcher: Cecily Niles, Port Isabel
First Base: Stephanie Perez, Los Fresnos
Second Base: Karen Garcia, Porter
Third Base: Samantha Ibarra, Hanna
Shortstop: Alexandria Martinez, Port Isabel
Left Field: Krista Quiroz, Porter
Center Field: Victoria Rodriguez, Los Fresnos
Right Field: Britt Garza, Porter