Dorothy Millan of the San Benito Lady Greyhound softball team is pictured (below). The team, led by skipper Elias Martinez (above), plays Hanna Friday. (Photo by T.J. Tijerina)
Special to the NEWS
Dorothy Millan
The journey begins.
With a District 31-5A championship and 25-2 overall record in their pockets, the San Benito Lady ’Hounds are ready for the second season as the state softball playoffs get going this weekend.
The Lady ’Hounds will take on former district foe Brownsville Hanna in a Class 5A bi-district best-of-three series. Game 1 is Friday night at Lady ’Hound Field. The series shifts to Brownsville for Game 2 on Saturday night and if a third game is needed, it would be played Monday night in Brownsville. First pitch for all three games is set for 7 p.m.
“We’ve known Hanna for years from our time in 32-5A,” San Benito coach Elias Martinez said. “Coach (Rey) Lerma is a friend of mine and does a good job preparing his girls. We’re expecting a dogfight in this series.”
San Benito, which beat Weslaco 10-0 in the regular season finale, makes its 15th consecutive playoff appearance and has been solid virtually all season. Behind the pitching and hitting of MVP candidate Amber Jasso and solid plate performances from the likes of Dina Treviño, Jackie Elizondo among others, the Lady ’Hounds have been tabbed by many to make another deep playoff run.
The absence of Jasso the past couple of weeks was the subject of some media scrutiny, but the girls went 4-1 in her absence and pitcher Crystal Castillo has proved capable during her time in the circle. It is unclear when the ace will return, but Martinez said his club has pressed on admirably under the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Hanna (15-11) was the fourth seed in District 32-5A and got in the playoffs on the final night of the regular season with a win over Harlingen. Despite that, Martinez said his girls are not looking past the Lady Eagles.
“We’re very grounded,” he said. “We don’t take anyone lightly, because you’re just setting yourself up for an upset. Anytime you get in the playoffs, the records go out the window. Teams in the playoffs deserve to be here and there are no weak teams. So we’re gonna have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
For Hanna, leadoff hitter Guiana Hinojosa (.395) was the club’s leading hitter. Junior first baseman Jasmine Tamez had a team-high 24 RBIs and three homeruns while freshmen Sausha Brown (.316) and Samantha Ibarra each led the Lady Eagles with 25 base hits. In the circle, senior hurler Jacque Gonzalez went 12-6 this year with five shutouts and has a 2.15 ERA.
“They’re a good team,” Martinez said of Hanna. “And everybody wants to get a big notch in their belt by beating us. That’s Lady ’Hound Softball. We’ve got a proud tradition and it’s fun because there are no easy games for us.”
For many of the Lady ’Hounds, this will be just their second playoff series. Last season, injuries and youth set in as San Benito fell to Harlingen South in the bi-district round. But their seasoned vets by now and Martinez hopes it carries over into the postseason.
“We were a young team last year, but we’re ready,” Martinez said. “We want to make the routine play in those pressure situations. If we do, then hopefully we can get on a roll and go as far we can.”
2 comments
Well then lets get out there and play some baseball! Somebody gotta lose! Wright? !
This group of girls is probably the best that San Benito has had. If anyone has a chance to go to state its these. Girls. Most of them have been playing together since t ball. If amber brings her a game and the defense plays like it should then there is no stopping them. The only concern I have are the bats but I’m sure these girls will overcome it. Credit to the coaching staff but mostly credit to the parents who spent countless hours after work to mold these girls for Elias. Talent has always been there but never this much talent. Now will the coaching match up to par? Good luck ladies! State bound!