Climbing the Ladder

If Weslaco East intends to make its first playoff appearance, this would be the year to do it.

The Lady Wildcats are a prime example of a senior-oriented ballclub. A total of 12 seniors are back, including seven starters from last season’s fifth-place squad that missed the postseason by one game. In fact, East has missed the playoffs by one place three years in a row.

“This should be the year, it better be,” said softball coach Adalberto Guerra. “It’s good to have. They’ve been playing together for four years and it’s an advantage over some teams.”

The roster includes seven players who made the all-district list. Guerra has Olivia Ruiz as the ace pitcher and Cecily Caballero in the two slot. The senior is back from knee surgery that prevented her from playing last year. Kylie Boswell (1B), Cari Peña (2B), Cassie Torres (SS) and Joanie Garcia (C) make up the experienced infield, while Tracia Boswell (CF) and Briana Cardenas (LF) are back in the outfield.

WESLACO

In the three years Mario Rodriguez has been skipper for the Lady Panthers, two have culminated in playoff appearances. He intends to make it three of four with six starters back, including Clari Villarreal at centerfield, Mandy Calderon at second base and Kim Marquez at third base, all of whom are three-year starters. Brittany Smith at first base and Cassi Espinosa are also part of the veteran infield which Rodriguez said has played together the last couple of years. Alex Galvan is expected to be the ace pitcher as she went 19-12 as a freshman last year. Weslaco is expected to be in the thick of the district race along with powers Brownsville Porter and San Benito. The Lady Panthers lost in the bi-district round last season, but made it to the area round in 2007.

“We have combination of youth and experience that are jelling together,” Rodriguez said.

EDCOUCH-ELSA

Every time Edcouch-Elsa breaks a huddle, the chant is loud and clear: “District champions.”

Never before have the Lady Yellowjackets claimed a district championship. In fact, softball is the lone sport in which the Lady Yellowjackets don’t possess the golden trophy reserved for a district champion. This year’s club wants to be the first to do it.

Heading into district play this week, all signs indicate the hitting will be there. As of Tuesday, E-E has a .480 batting average with nine home runs. Head coach Joey Palacios said the lineup from top to bottom was hitting the ball very well before falling into a funk at the BISD Tourney this past weekend.

Palacios will go with a three-player rotation including volleyball stud Marisa Valadez, Sabrina Ramos and freshman Faith Escobar. Valadez was 14-8 while Ramos was named to the all-district team in 2009.

“Our girls are playing with confidence,” Palacios said. “This year, we have high expectations. We want to be the first to win a district championship.”

Last season, the Lady ‘Jackets were tied for second in district with Mercedes before losing to Kingsville High in the bi-district round.

DONNA

Donna is another squad chasing a first in its program. Like Weslaco East, the Bravettes have never made it to the playoffs and are in their ninth year of existence. The biggest taste came three seasons ago when Donna finished in a fourth-place tie with McAllen High only to fall in the seeding game.

“We’ve been knocking on the door, but we just haven’t busted through,” said head coach Maribel Olivo. “Hopefully this year we’ll get there.”  

This year’s club is dominated by sophomores and juniors, including ace pitcher Claudia Orozco, who was all-district last season. Olivo has high expectations for Amanda Garza, Kristie Garcia, Barbara Davila and Amanda Valdez to be there with the bats.

MERCEDES

Mercedes has a solid foundation in softball. Coming off their second-place finish in district last season, the Lady Tigers intend to keep it going with a roster dominated by sophomores and a few seniors, juniors and freshmen. Most of the infield was lost to graduation, but will be filled in by Stephanie Flores, Jessica Hernandez, Cassi Aguelles and Alexis DeLeon. The junior will also see some playing time in the outfield. Head coach Betty Morrell intends to use Flores and Hernandez as pitchers while Cecilia Garza will be behind the plate.

Heading into district play this week, Mercedes has been playing at a .500 level, which is just fine for Morrell. She’s used the tournaments and non-district games to put players in the right positions.

“We got quite a few games in Brownsville (tournament) and that’s what we needed,” Morrell said.

LA VILLA

La Villa looks to get back into the playoffs after a two-year absence. The Lady Cards missed the postseason by one game last season, but the good news is they have all the players back this season and into next. Head coach Rogelio Guerra said the squad has hit the ball well up to this point, but emphasized the need to cut down on errors.
Guerra said so far, La Villa has averaged 15 runs per game led by lead-off hitter Krystal Mata, who hit her first career home run over the weekend. Cassie Loredo is the lone starting senior on the team and plays at right field. Freshman Alyssa Segura is expected to be the ace of the team. Andrea Hinojosa and Lazette Villarreal and Jennifer Rodriguez are also expected to contribute to the team.

District 32-1A began last week and La Villa has begun with a 1-1 record going into Tuesday with the victory coming against Edinburg Quest.