SAN BENITO — In sports, superstitions often run deep. Coaches and players make a very conscious effort to stick to the same routine game after game in an exhausting effort to ensure they don’t mess with their sports mojo.
In softball, some players wear the same socks during each game or walk up to the plate and do the same thing every time at bat.
And if the superstitions aren’t enough, in high school softball the loud chanting is just as prevalent.
Chants from the players come often and loud in about every dugout. It’s quite the scene to see a group of teenage girls loudly shouting in perfect unison and harmony in an attempt to get the opposing pitcher off their game.
All the superstitions and chanting stem from one thing: chemistry. The word gets tossed around a lot, but when a team comes together as one for one single purpose, it’s something special to witness.
The San Benito Lady Greyhounds are a prime example of a team that has found true chemistry. The chanting, the high-fives, the backward caps and, yes, even drum sticks pounding away during every inning. Not only is their team chemistry strong, but the youth of the team is what makes the ballclub a special one.
Of the starting nine, only two are seniors, five are juniors and two are sophomores. The Lady Hounds’ chemistry and youth have helped lead them to a 23-5 record and a bi-district title so far this season.
The sophomore duo of Alina “AJ” Jasso and Sarah Garcia is one of the best tandems in the Valley. Jasso bats in the middle of the order and will lobby between left and right field. Garcia, on the other hand, is the team’s leadoff hitter, shortstop and star pitcher.
Garcia is coming off a strong showing in the Lady Hounds’ bi-district series against Edinburg Vela where she had four runs on four hits. In Game 2, Garcia went 3 for 5 with a triple, single and a double. Garcia also toed the rubber, tossing four innings of shutout ball while fanning four.
Jasso, meanwhile, provides the pop in the middle of the order. Jasso went 0 for 2, but drew two walks in Game 2.
Joanna Gonzalez, Audrey Huerta, Deztiny Hernandez, Megan Ybarra and Aaliyah Rangel make up the core of juniors followed by a pair of seniors in Stephanie Contreras and Diandra Padilla.
Padilla has been another driving force in the circle this season for the Lady Hounds. Both Garcia and Padilla share the starting role as pitchers.
San Benito is now fresh off its first bi-district title under second-year coach Kristy Leal. The young Lady Hounds righted the wrong after last season’s early playoff exit. Call last season’s first-round playoff exit to PSJA Memorial a matter of growing pains or a learning curve. Regardless, that’s history and the Lady Hounds’ series win against Vela displayed a cool, calm and collected effort.
Despite their youth, the big game experience has come full circle. San Benito took its lumps by not winning a district title, but rebounded with the playoff victory.
“Last year was tough on us,” said Garcia. “We worked hard all offseason and throughout the year to get to the playoffs. I was a freshman last year, but it hurt losing. I didn’t want that feeling again. Winning bi-district this year is big for us. We’re excited to be here and ready for the next challenge.”
Up next for the Lady Hounds is South San Antonio in a Class 6A area-round series at Sinton High School. Game 1 of the best-of-three series is at 7 p.m. on Friday. Game 2 is set for 11 a.m. Saturday and Game 3, if needed, will follow 30 minutes after Game 2.
