By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Having played travel ball, Laurynn De Anda has grown accustomed to playing several positions.
Though a natural second baseman, De Anda jumped at the opportunity to play in the outfield last year. As a freshman, she felt it was the best way to acclimate to the game coming from middle school.
“It helped me with my speed, getting the balls behind first base,” she said, “and it’s helping a lot now because I’m able to be an all-around player.”
It’s that level of versatility and buy-in that has helped the Lady Panthers advance to today’s regional semifinal series at home against Corpus Christi Carroll.
Without any seniors on the roster, Weslaco’s playoff run has exceeded that of any other team in program history. It’s due in part to their interchangeable parts, with nine players listed as playing two or more positions, and three who’ve played at least three, including De Anda (at left, center and right field, and now second base).
“Playing in the outfield, you could just see how well she anticipated the ball,” coach Mario Rodriguez said. “She’s a very smart player. Probably not the fastest or the quickest girl there, but because she anticipates well, she puts herself in position to make plays.”
As a freshman, teammate Gabby Rivera was in a somewhat similar situation a year ago. Without a true catcher, Rodriguez appointed Rivera in that slot. She divided her time behind the plate and first base, looking for any opportunity to prove herself.
Right away, Rivera garnered positive feedback for her hitting, baserunning and defense. And along the way she earned Rodriguez’s trust in critical moments of games. She’s hit .435 during the playoffs, while recording 10 hits, eight runs scored and three RBIs. Now a full-time starter, Rivera has flourished at first base, playing alongside De Anda.
“Gabby was always someone who would do whatever she was asked to,” Rodriguez said. “We needed her to catch, and she did.
“The way I see things, your skills and ability don’t have a classification. Some of these girls have played since they were very little. Their skills are much more developed than someone who may be a sophomore or junior (in their first varsity season).”
With time, Rivera’s confidence grew at the plate. By her own admission, the cleanup spot in the lineup came with a mountain of expectations — something she didn’t feel comfortable with as a freshman. Now batting out of the six hole, Rivera is showing more confidence with her swing, and making more contact, recording a .444 on-base percentage during the playoffs. She’s also totaled seven hits, three of those doubles, and seven runs to go with six RBIs.
“With all the experience I got, it made me better,” Rivera said. “The four spot’s a big spot, and I got nervous. But now I’m calmer.”
De Anda has also made the best of her opportunities. Originally the starter in right field to open the year, De Anda moved to second base for the playoffs. Rodriguez tinkered with the move in the final district game of the season after experimenting with it in practice.
“I’ve never made a move that late in the season, but you’re always trying to make your team better,” Rodriguez said. “You might be winning games, but you always wonder how can we get better? What can we get out of them to make them better?”
“They just wanted to get on the field,” Rodriguez added, referring to De Anda and Rivera. “They’re team players. Whatever it took, they did it. This year, it just so happens that everything fell into place for them. They came in and made plays.”