RIO HONDO — While senior Bianca Cruz is closing in on a strong career at Rio Hondo, freshman Abbie Torris is just beginning to write her own legacy.
Cruz and Torris are first cousins and have provided the Lady Cats with offense and stellar play in the outfield.
Cruz plays center field, while Torris plays left field. This year Cruz is batting .588 with 50 hits, 29 RBIs and 38 runs scored. In their bi-district win against Robstown last week, Cruz swatted two homers and collected seven hits.
Torris, meanwhile, is hitting .638 with 60 hits, 38 RBIs and 25 doubles. Against Robstown, Torris finished with eight hits in the series sweep.
The duo’s next challenge is against Devine in a one-game area-round playoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tuloso-Midway High School.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Cruz and Torris on Tuesday.
—
BIANCA
Q: When did you first realize that you and Abbie were going to play on the varsity together?
CRUZ: Since I’m a senior and my cousin is a freshman, I knew from the first day of practice this season that she had the potential in making it to varsity.
Q: How has it been having your younger cousin play alongside you?
CRUZ: I like it a lot. It makes me proud to see her accomplish many things at such a young age.
Q: So far, what has been the best memory the two of you have had together?
CRUZ: I had given her a makeover for an event she was attending and she looked stunning! Many pizzas were eaten during the makeover.
Q: Abbie is only a freshman and she has had a breakout year. What has impressed you the most about her?
CRUZ: I’m very impressed with her hitting. She can read any pitch that’s pitched to her and that get’s the momentum going for everyone.
ABBIE
Q: When did you learn that you made the varsity?
ABBIE: I first learned that I made varsity at the beginning of the season and I couldn’t believe that I was one of only two freshmen there. I knew then that I needed to step it up and make this a great year for our team.
Q: What advice has Bianca given you?
ABBIE: Bianca is not only my cousin, she has also been my mentor and, as such, she tells me to not overthink, to always give it 100 percent and, most importantly, to go out there and always have fun.
Q: How often do you and Bianca talk softball outside of school?
ABBIE: Every chance we get you will hear B and me talking softball since we both love the sport.
Q: What is the best part of having your cousin play with you on the team?
ABBIE: The best part of playing on the same team as Bianca has been that it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do since she’s someone I look up to. She’s always been an awesome player and I want to be great like her.
Q: How much more confidence did you gain with a playoff win now under your belt?
ABBIE: Getting our fist playoff win has been a great feeling, but that’s only the beginning for our team. We all really work hard every day and we all want to achieve great things together.
