LUBBOCK, Texas — Monterey High School softball team don dey find their feet after turbulent season wey cost dem to struggle. As winners of four straight district titles, dem surprisingly find demself outside playoff picture as dis week start.
Dis turnaround come as dem make impressive signs in last few games. We go back to last Friday when dem beat dem opponent, Lubbock High, 15-5 for dem second straight victory against team wey dey ahead for District 3-5A standings. Three-year letterman Jaden Smith shine bright, going 4 for 5 with one home run and four RBIs in dat match.
Currently, Monterey get record of 11-14 with 7-5 for district play, dem don win three games in a row to reduce the gap to half-game between dem and LHS wey get record 15-12-2 and 7-4 in district. Amarillo Caprock, wey dem also beat 19-8 on Tuesday, na 6-5 for district and dey try catch up.
Jaden Smith, one of the key players wey dey lead dis successful comeback, talk say: “We dey experience some bumps for road since beginning, but dis win dey push our momentum go forward. E dey show us who we really be, and e dey motivate us well.”
Coach Brian Cronk also get high hopes as dem dey hint say dem dey grow into the potential wey dem fit reach and say dis na one major moment of maturity for the team. “You fit see am as dem dey play lately, dem dey grow,” Cronk include. “We don figure out wetin dey work for us in pitching and batting.”
Monterey returning starters include Smith, along with Makayla Perez, Ali Vaquera, and Selena Fernandez, and dem dey use their experience to guide the new players. Smith mention say: “We get plenty seniors wey don graduate, so as juniors, we gatz step up and lead.”
After dem suffer 13-3 loss to rival Coronado on March 28, dem don rebound strongly, scoring 51 runs in their last three games. Their pitching also dey improve as Coach Cronk express optimism dey grow strong with only four district games remaining.
Cronk add say tradition don help the team deal with their past struggles. “Some of dem take bumps because of the tradition wey dey follow this program. Even when we hit rock bottom two weekends for Dallas, instead of giving up, dem consistently show up and continue to fight.”
With the new found strength and focus, Monterey dey position themselves to reclaim their past glory, aiming for a solid finish in dis year’s playoffs.
