The San Benito Lady Greyhound softball squad is shown outside the San Benito CISD End of Year Luncheon in May, where they were honored with the 2011 San Benito News Citizens of the Year distinction. (Photos by Jose Ramos)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
As if the plethora of awards and smorgasbord of recognition were not enough for the Sam Benito Lady ’Hounds softball team’s trophy case, the San Benito News has decided to add one more to the list.
The Lady ’Hounds have been named the 2011 San Benito News Citizens of the Year. Such distinction comes after winning district, bi-district, area, regional quarterfinal championships and qualifying for the regional semifinals – a first for any Valley softball squad.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized. I appreciate it,” said Tri MVP Yesenia Penablanca, who recently graduated. “(This season) was a whole lot of fun. Everybody played good. This was probably our best season, well from my high school years.”
“Being Citizens of the Year is just a great honor for us,” said All-Valley Coach of the Year Elias Martinez. “Our girls played like champions and they represented themselves like champions. We’re very worthy of that award with the way the girls play. It’s a great honor. Out girls are great examples.”
The softball team had a record of 34-5 with two of those losses coming during the playoffs against San Antonio O’Conner, but their legacy was already cemented when they stepped onto the field in Corpus Christi. This softball team will forever be remembered among San Benito sports lore with the likes of the 1961 Greyhound football team.
“This season really meant a lot because it was my senior year. For me and as well as the other seniors on the team, we really wanted to go out with a bang because it was our last year,” said Kassandra Contreras, who was an All-District Honorable Mention infielder. “I’m really going to miss this team, because it will never be the exact same team that we had. We made it this far with everybody and hopefully they can do it again next year.”
“I feel really great. This was one of the best seasons that I’ve ever had in my whole life,” said Adriana “Squirt” Flores, who along with Penablanca and Amanda Garza shared the Tri MVP honor. “For me, I accomplished all of my goals, hopes and dreams. We all set a goal as a team to make it to the elite eight (regional semifinals).”
“We’re used to playing in front of big crowds. We’re used to that because Lady ’Hounds softball takes a backseat to nobody,” Martinez said. “Anywhere we go we always pack up those stands. When we went to Corpus Christi and San Antonio, we saw everybody out there from different teams throughout the Valley. There were different colors supporting us. It’s a great honor for us and a tremendous feeling. The bigger it is, the more we like it.”
The team discussed what memories stuck out most when looking back at such a historic season.
“I’ll remember us coming together and being a team, and just trying to do as much as we can. Trying to overcome the pressure to reach our goals,” said Giselle Tamayo, who garnered Second Team All-District honors as catcher.
“For me, personally, there were so many, but the (moment) that stands out is after we won the Sweet 16,” said Martinez. “We clinched it when Amanda (Garza) threw the ball to KC (Sanchez) at first base. It was an overwhelming feeling. That’s probably what stands out. We had great moments throughout this season, but that one because it took us to the Elite Eight.”
“I had those same feelings because once we won that game, all the pressure was off our shoulders,” said Assistant Coach Lamar Lewis. “We went the furthest in Valley history. That really did stand out most in my mind. Really just being in those big games, being in the Elite Eight against an awesome team like San Antonio O’Conner, it was just an awesome feeling playing against that kind of talent.”
“Coming in from baseball, we didn’t go as far as we did this year with softball. It was an awesome feeling, it was a good ride,” said Assistant Coach Gilbert Rodriguez. “I’d love to do this for more years to come. All the wins were awesome. We came out short, but there was something that we learned from those teams, and we’re ready for next year.”
Expectations are already very high for next season. With only three seniors on the team this last year, granted three who played integral roles, the team appears to be set to repeat their accomplishments.
“They just need to keep their heads up no matter how big or small the other team is,” said Contreras about next season’s softball team. “Never underestimate a team. Just go out there, play your game and you’ll be fine.”
“Being the first team in history to make it this far says a lot. Can it be accomplished again? Who knows? Are we going to give it a shot? Heck yeah,” Martinez said. “We’re going to do our best to duplicate it and hopefully surpass it. We’ve always had high expectations, so for us it’s not a biggie. We’re going to give it what we got, we’re going to do what we do.”
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the July 17 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
Recent Comments