By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito Lady Greyhound Cynthia Rodriguez, a freshman, swings at a recent softball game at home. (Photo by T.J. Tijerina)
The Lady Greyhounds have been here before.
Having secured advancement to the Elite 8 round of the state playoffs, a feat not accomplished by any other Rio Grande Valley team before them, the 2011 San Benito Lady ’Hounds made history, and with it scored an eighth place ranking in the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll.
Good times.
Fast forward to 2013 and things haven’t changed much. Now ranked ninth in the state in the TGCA poll, San Benito has thus far enjoyed an undefeated season in 31-5A, amassing a 12-0 record in district and 22-1 overall, not to mention holding a comfortable three-game cushion over second place McAllen Rowe.
Good times.
San Benito skipper Elias Martinez, however, said his team remains focused despite the distractions of success.
“Quite honestly, the girls really don’t pay attention to state rankings,” Martinez said. “All it does is put a bigger target on our back, which is fine. We enjoy it.”
The Lady ’Hounds had much more to enjoy Thursday after dismantling PSJA North, 11-0. Playing at PSJA, San Benito’s Clarissa Huerta hit 3-for-3 while Melanie Ramirez and Jackie Elizondo went 2-for-4.
The team was next scheduled to face Weslaco East at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at home.
On playing in District 31-5A, this after winning eight district championships during San Benito’s 32-5A days, Martinez said the experience has proven beneficial for the Ladies as they’ve faced stiffer competition more often.
“That’s the good thing about it,” Martinez said about playing ball in 31-5A. “Every game is tough and it prepares you for the playoffs. There are no gimmies here. You have to work every game, every inning, and every at-bat.”
Last year, though securing the 32-5A district title, the Lady ’Hounds were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, which doesn’t happen often in San Benito softball.
This year, although poised to return to playoff glory, the team is not necessarily focused on redemption but – quite simply – on their next opponents.
“Last year we got knocked out of the first round, but we had a major injury on game day with KC Sanchez, the MVP of the league,” Martinez recalled about the 2012 playoffs. “Losing that caliber of a player meant losing a light. That’s what happened last year. If she wouldn’t have gotten injured, who knows how far we would have gone. Now we’ve got four games left in district, and there’s still plenty to play, so right now everyone is battling for seeding.”
Martinez added, “We try to take it one game at a time. If we start looking at it as going four, five rounds deep, we might not even make it out of the first round. That’s why we don’t take anybody lightly. We have a sign that reads, ‘Fear none but respect all.’ If you stop respecting a team, that’s when you’re priming yourself for an upset. Making the playoffs in San Benito, that’s a gimmie… that’s expected. Winning the district championship and going as deep as you can, that’s what we strive to accomplish.”
Players that Martinez said have stood out this season include junior hurler Amber Jasso, Dorothy Millan, Elizondo and freshman catcher Kimberly Harper, among many others.
8 comments
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what a great leader, and what great followers, this teams this coach has assembled, and coached are
nothing short of outstanding, and he still manages to keep himself humble. he has done a great job, and i hope the city of san benito will recognize and honor this great feat that they have accomplished over the years.
all i can say is “outstanding coach and players.”
If he can do it with the football team and he just might want to take that challange then I woud consider him a Great Coach. It’s the girls who play the game that earned 100% of the credit. A coach is only fashioned by the players who make them famous. The only coach that ever lived when times were tough and made players preform well was Caoch Vince Lambardi. One thing I can agree with you is that coach Martinez is a humble man and a Cristian man. He probably relies on God for everything and gives all credit to the Lord who created the human race and loves us all equally. No injuries this time coach. God speed and have fun out there!
Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39
Way to go Lady Hounds!!!! These girls are on fire!!!! Highest state ranking, history in the making #7!!!WooWhoo
Im so happy for the LadyHounds for winning their 9th District Title in team history
Congrats to the Lady Hounds on winning the District Championship with 3 games to go. keep working hard and advance far in the playoffs!
james dean? if u know so much bout sbhs, n wish to express ur self on a form like this. y dont u do something bout it? do u work for rgv sports?
It’s too bad that the academic success of SBHS doesn’t come anywhere close to that of the athletic success.
The residents of San Benito who have children going to this high school should demand access to the classrooms and hallways to see what REALLY GOES ON DURING THE DAY. You will truly be shocked. The
cursing, the sexual displays of affection, the constant use of electronics both in the halls and CLASSROOMS is
considered “situation normal”. Not in my book it’s not.
“Onward through the Fog”! The way to cure this social behavior is to teaching students ALGEBRA starting from the 4th grade.