At the center of all the success the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons had in the 2021 season, you’ll find sophomore Katelynn Perez.
The ace and leadoff hitter was at the forefront of Los Fresnos’ run to a District 32-6A co-championship and its first Region IV semifinal. She was tabbed the district most valuable player and the All-Valley Sports Awards softball player of the year.
Perez recorded 42 hits, 12 doubles, seven home runs and 26 RBIs offensively, and threw more than 120 innings and racked up 112 strikeouts. She is The Brownsville Herald’s 2021 All-Metro Softball Most Valuable Player.
“It means a lot. I wasn’t expecting to get it, and I was surprised. I went up to my dad and mom and I said, ‘I got another MVP award!’” Perez said. “It makes me feel really good because it’s paying off, all the hard work I put in.”
Los Fresnos coach Traci Blackman credited Perez’s mature mentality for helping her succeed. Whether she was in the circle or in the batter’s box, if Perez was struggling it didn’t last long. Blackman said Perez controlled the game when she was pitching and gave the team confidence.
“She just has a different mindset. As a pitcher, you can’t get up there and allow things to bother you. I’ve seen her give up a home run, shrug it off and strike out the next girl,” Blackman said. “During the Weslaco game in the playoffs, she had been struggling and I told her, ‘Are you ever going to come see me at first base?’ … Then she hit a walkoff home run and I said, ‘Or you can just pass me by.’
“She’s so determined and she’s going to do amazing things. We’ve already seen glimpses of it. I’ve had many coaches tell me, ‘I wish I had a Kate Perez,’” Blackman said.
That home run in the regional quarterfinal round and another home run Perez hit to spark her team’s win in the district finale to clinch a share of the title are two of her favorite moments from the season. The success she and the Lady Falcons had in her first full season has her excited for the future.
“It really did boost my confidence. I know next year I’m going to have to top that, so I’m going to have to work a lot harder,” Perez said. “(This season) meant a lot, especially since it was the first year we went to the Sweet 16. For basically my first year on varsity, it meant a lot making history.”
Perez thanked Blackman, her dad and mom, her sister and “a lot of people that really helped” for shaping her into the player she is. She’s proud of what she accomplished this season, but she has her sights set on being even better next year.
“I didn’t really let the nerves get to me and I would just stay focused, and I did what I did,” Perez said. “I’m going to have to work harder than I did this year, but I feel like I can do it. I just have to stay focused. I really hope I do better next year, but I did pretty good this year.”
Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Victoria Altamirano, Los Fresnos
Altamirano, a junior, was sidelined by a broken bone in her back during the shortened season in 2020, but she bounced back in a major way and showed what she’s all about in 2021.
Even on a loaded lineup, Altamirano’s consistency and power made her a standout and a key piece on the Lady Falcons’ regional semifinalist and co-District 32-6A champion team. She boasted a .584 batting average, drove in 33 RBIs and blasted eight home runs this season.
“It feels really good. I feel like a lot of people really didn’t know who I was, and I really made a name for myself this year. People have doubted me in the past, but I worked hard all season and I feel like I really deserve this,” Altamirano said.
The left fielder came up with many clutch hits throughout her junior campaign, both over the fence and in the field of play. Altamirano knocked nine doubles and five triples to complete her mission of bringing runners home when she stepped in the box.
“I think what really helped me was just staying in my zone and really looking for my pitch, the one I knew I could drive,” Altamirano said. “I look for my pitch and I do whatever works to bring runners in and be a runner myself. I know the team has a lot of confidence in me, so it really helps a lot with my confidence at the plate.”
Altamirano’s favorite moment this season was when she roped an inside-the-park home run to earn a walkoff victory and a share of the district title against Harlingen High in the district finale.
The stellar 2021 season has Altamirano excited about her and her team’s potential next year. She’s thankful to have several coaches and supportive family guiding and cheering her on.
“This group of girls was amazing and so talented. I was really proud of all of my teammates, and I’m confident in the season coming up,” Altamirano said. “My family is amazing, and I can’t thank them enough for their support. They’re the reason I play this sport and that I’m really confident. It’s a good feeling to know I have a big family behind me.”
Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Natalie Mendoza, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Mendoza, a junior, has all the tools you want in a leadoff hitter.
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial catcher leads the team with a .519 batting average, a .568 on-base percentage and 40 hits. She has plenty of power, too, boasting a team-high six home runs to aid her 27 RBIs. Mendoza played a key role on a young squad that reached the area round of the playoffs.
“It means the absolute world. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to be receiving this award,” Mendoza said. “I did put in the time, the work, the dedication to get to where I am now, and I’m very grateful. All the honor goes to God. Saying that He is so good is definitely an understatement. (Thanks to) my mom and dad. They’re my biggest supporters, my biggest motivators, and they’re always there on my good and bad days.”
Mendoza came into this season with a new perspective after very limited play in 2020 due to an injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to be her best for her team and herself, and she was glad to see that happen.
Being in the leadoff spot and a big part of the Lady Chargers’’ offense is a responsibility Mendoza loves to have. She delivered time and time again, but her favorite performance of the season came in the first round of the playoffs. Mendoza powered Brownsville Veterans to a series-opening win over PSJA Memorial by hitting back-to-back home runs.
“It’s a very big role to play on the team, and I’m very thankful that I’m the one my team can count on,” Mendoza said. At the plate I just look for something I can drive, place the ball and move runners, and allow them to come in. I’m honestly not trying to hit home runs, I’m just looking for base hits. I just tell myself, ‘Let’s go. Do your job.’”
Mendoza’s most productive season yet has her motivated to come back stronger and lead her team as a senior.
“It definitely makes me want to work a lot harder,” Mendoza said. “I know my level of play is only going to get better. I know with all the struggles, all the obstacles I’ve overcome, it’s definitely going to pay off this next year. It’s going to be a great season.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Bethany Guzman, Brownsville Rivera
Elevating the Rivera softball program was a family affair for ace Guzman and her father, Lady Raiders coach Joel Guzman.
Bethany Guzman was thrust into the role of being the primary Rivera pitcher as a freshman, and it’s a role she thrived in throughout her four years. She had a strong season in the circle, picking up some of the program’s most impressive wins and keeping her team in tight games against tough District 32-6A competition.
For her efforts in leading the Lady Raiders to their best season in several years, Guzman has been tabbed the defensive player of the year.
“It’s an honor to even be considered. It’s an amazing recognition to have,” Guzman said. “It really says a lot about the hard work I’ve been putting in, and I really appreciate the award. When I entered my freshman year, the softball team was … in a rough spot. Over the four years, it’s been a pleasure to see us do much better than when we started, and putting in that extra effort and dedication and showing the Metro area what we can do.”
Guzman started the season with one of her personal favorite pitching performances to defeat Edinburg Vela, setting the tone for the year. During district, she threw a two-hit shutout to beat Harlingen High.
“Senior season, it was an honor to have that title of being the captain and leading the team to what we did. Defeating some of the teams that we did was amazing,” Guzman said.
Along with pitching the lion’s share of the innings, Guzman played shortstop and outfield this year. She led Rivera in batting average, on-base percentage and stolen bases. Joel Guzman called her “the definition of an MVP” and said she “laid the foundation for future athletes at Rivera.”
Bethany, a McMurry University signee, got emotional as she reflected on the special experience of playing for her father and all the support she has received throughout the years.
“My mom has always been there for me. My dad has been my coach since the beginning, and it’s an amazing feeling to have this whole experience with him being my head coach. He pushed me, and when I felt down he was the one that got me back up,” Guzman said. “I’d also like to thank my pitching coach and my batting coach, my friends, my family, my teammates, the whole support system I’ve had throughout the years.”
Newcomer of the Year
Chloe Mares, Brownsville Pace
It didn’t take long for the freshman to become a key contributor for the Brownsville Pace Lady Vikings.
Mares boasted a .452 batting average, drove in 10 RBIs and notched a .954 fielding percentage while at several positions and hitting leadoff in her rookie season.
“It feels really great since I’ve been working so hard since I started softball when I was 4. I’m really proud of myself for getting this award. All these years of dedication have helped me grow as a player, and having a big impact on my team made me really proud,” Mares said.
Mares started at center field, then moved to second base — which is her preferred position — for Pace. She even pitched when needed. After a bit of a nervous start, Mares found her groove and did all she could to help her team defensively and offensively.
“At first, I wasn’t really strong on batting. But as I grew as a player, my batting started getting better,” Mares said. “Being the leadoff batter as a freshman, I was, like, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to start off really good to make an impact on the team and coaches.’ It kind of made me nervous, but as the season went on I was more confident in myself.”
Mares wants to use this award and her strong season, which also resulted in a second-team all-District 32-5A utility nod, as a stepping stone for the rest of her Lady Vikings career.
“I’m going to use this as motivation,” Mares said. “I’m really proud of myself and want to thank everyone who has helped me. I’d like to thank my parents especially, and all of my coaches throughout the years for helping me grow and develop into the player I am today. And also all of my teammates.”
Coach of the Year
Traci Blackman, Los Fresnos
The Lady Falcons were dubbed the best softball team in the Rio Grande Valley after a 2021 season that resulted in a District 32-6A co-championship and a trip to the Region IV semifinals.
Blackman coached Los Fresnos to the historic season, all while battling health concerns stemming from a heart attack in 2018. Her love for the sport and for her players led Blackman back to the dugout despite the risks. She has decided to step away from coaching to focus on her health, but she’s going out on top as the All-Metro coach of the year.
“I’m truly grateful. It’s not possible without everything the girls accomplished and without my assistants there. It’s just a true team effort,” Blackman said. “My husband keeps telling me, ‘Just take it all in. It’s a good thing, and you’ve worked for this and you deserve this.’ I’m humbled by this, especially since I’ve decided to take a step back. It’s a good way to go out.”
Blackman said the stress of the season kept her blood pressure and heart rate high, and there were days she didn’t feel great. Aside from her own issues, the team had obstacles to overcome — including coming back from a quarantine to play five games in eight days in April — and she navigated the Lady Falcons through it all.
“These girls have grown so much. They’ve become amazing players and young women, and I’m so proud of them. This group was just different. They’re all business. They like to have fun, but when it’s game time, it’s game time,” Blackman said.
Stepping down wasn’t an easy decision for Blackman, and the team tried talking her out of it after she led them to a historic season. But she felt it was time to choose herself, and she’s confident in the work she did at Los Fresnos to put the program on a strong foundation.
“When I do something, especially with coaching, it’s wholeheartedly, and it just became a little too much,” Blackman said. “I know that they’re going to be OK. We’ve built this and they’re going to continue because what we’ve been doing is working.”
