Zelinda Camacho, Mercedes
Offensive Player of the Year
Mercedes’ Zelinda Camacho went deep nine times this season in the heart of the Tigers’ lineup. Camacho helped the Tigers win a District 32-5A title and earn a trip to the fourth round of the playoffs with her bat.
Camacho is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Offensive Player of the Year.
“Just knowing that I could help out offensively and defensively really put me at ease,” Camacho said. “And, knowing that the girls had my back. If I was struggling, there was always someone else who can pick me up.”
Camacho finished with a team-leading .576 batting average on 49 hits. She drove in 39 runs and walked 22 times, including five times against Gregory-Portland in the area round of the playoffs.
“The girls seeing me get intentionally walked, helped them,” Camacho said. “They had to step up and take on that role because they saw the other team was not letting me hit.”
Camacho also hit 19 doubles and only struck out five times. The Mercedes senior also won 17 games for the Tigers in the circle with a 1.73 ERA.
Denzelle Saenz, Rio Grande City
Defensive Player of the Year
Defense wins championships, a third straight district title actually.
Rio Grande City won its third straight softball district title with junior Denzelle Saenz being a key player on the defensive side of the diamond for the Rattlers.
Saenz is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Defensive Player of the Year.
“I just had to show up and pitch the way I do to win some of these games,” Saenz said.
Saenz won 15 games for the Rattlers, posting a 2.02 ERA, and held it down at third base while freshman Jorja Fuentes pitched. Rio Grande City only gave up eight runs in 14 games of District 30-5A play.
“We all work at practice, so it just feels good to be able to go out there and win,” Saenz said.
Saenz is excited about having another season, going for a fourth straight district title and another chance at a deep playoff run after losing in the bi-district round in 2023.
Madelynn Cantu, Weslaco High
Newcomer of the Year
Weslaco High was expected to have a dropoff after losing key players the season before, but the young players stepped up and delivered.
Madelynn Cantu, a freshman, was immense for the Panthers this season and emerged as the ace on a team that finished second in District 32-6A and went three rounds deep in the playoffs.
Cantu is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Newcomer of the Year.
“It was exciting,” Cantu said about her first year of varsity. “But, I could not have done this without my team. They had my back a lot and provided me with run support.”
Cantu was fantastic in the playoffs, especially against San Antonio O’Connor, when she pitched 10 innings in Game 3. The Panthers had only one senior on their 2023 softball team.
“I just hope to get better, so I can help them more,” Cantu said.
Kristy Leal, Mercedes
Coach of the Year
Kristy Leal continued the tradition of excellence at Mercedes after inheriting a solid program six years ago.
Leal took the program to great heights this season to finish her time as the head coach of Mercedes with a 30-win season, a third straight District 32-5A title and a trip to the Class 5A regional semis.
Leal is The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Softball Coach of the Year.
The six-year Mercedes coach said the hardest part about coaching this team was filling out the lineup on Tuesday and Friday.
“We had a great run,” Leal said. “We had awesome leadership this year and a great coaching staff that pushed our kids to do well. Every single day we pushed them to excellence, we knew they were capable of excellence and that is what they did — they had a great run. They went to the fourth round and got what they deserved and earned.”
Leal thanked Mercedes for the memories and opportunity while coaching the Tigers. Leal will not be coaching Mercedes next season but has not moved to another program.
All-Area Team
Lexie Escamilla, Weslaco High; Lola Reyes, Weslaco High; Mia Rodriguez, Weslaco High; Kristianna Luera, PSJA North; Hailey Garza, PSJA North; Jaisy Caceres, Weslaco East; Ambrosia Pena, Weslaco East; Klarissa Rizzo, Mercedes; Ashley De Leon, Mercedes; Mickey Castillo, Mission Veterans; Ari Alaniz, La Joya Palmview; Giada Farias, McAllen High; Reaghan Staehely, Sharyland Pioneer; Alondra Rodriguez, Sharyland Pioneer; Shelby Celedon, Edinburg High; Arie Hernandez, PSJA High; Alayali Alaniz, La Joya High; Anabella Ramirez, Rio Grande City; Katya Cantu, McAllen Rowe; Josmari Ortiz, Roma;