2018 Lady Eagles Softball Preview

••Sunday•, 28 •January• 2018 10:40• ??EPSCadmin??
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LADY EAGLES SOFTBALL DIAMOND NEWS

Eagle Pass Lady Eagles

Primed to kickoff 25th Softball Season

By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pass Sports Central

“Your best and only source for local sports news in Eagle Pass”

The highly talented Eagle Pass Lady Eagles varsity girls’ softball team recognized as one of the premier high school softball teams in Region IV are getting ready for the upcoming 2018 season where they once again are one of the favorites to contend for the district title.

Last season the Lady Eagles ventured into the postseason playoffs for the 19th time in their illustrious history.  Last season the highly touted Lady Eagles recorded a major milestone when they won their 500th all-time victory on March 31st when they shutout the Laredo LBJ Lady Wolves by the final score of 11 to 0.  The Lady Eagles were greatly hampered last year when they lost the services of their talented field general the power hitting catcher Brooke Diaz one of their top hitters and big RBI producers for the majority of the season due to an arm injury.

This coming season the Lady Eagles are simply loaded with talent throughout their entire lineup and will field a very potent lineup with the likes of the power hitting, RBI producing duo of Heather Ruiz and Brooke Diaz along with the dependable multi-talented Kayla Ochoa as well as Kaitlin Galvan, Elena De Alba, Leslie Martinez, Alexandra Martinez, Loreli Morales, Lee Ann Dunn along with a good nucleus of talented newcomers.

The Lady Eagles pitching duties will be entrusted to the fire balling two-time first team all-district pitcher Kaitlin Galvan who brings plenty of experience inside the circle as well as Leenette Krezdorn who earned all-district second team honors last season.

The Lady Eagles will give their loyal followers a preview of coming attractions with four scheduled preseason scrimmages the first of which will be on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 when they battle the cross town C.C. Winn Lady Mavericks at 7:00 PM at the Eagle Pass ISD Student Activity Center softball field.  On Friday, February2, 2018 the Lady Eagles will journey to San Antonio for a scrimmage against Alamo Heights with starting time TBA. On Wednesday, February7, 2018 the Lady Eagles venture back to San Antonio to scrimmage against San Antonio Reagan at 6:00 PM at the Northeast ISD Complex,  The Lady Eagles will then conclude their preseason scrimmages on Saturday, February 10, 2018 when they travel to Castroville, Texas to take on Medina Valley with starting time TBA.  The Lady Eagles will inaugurate the program’s 25th softball season on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 when they entertain the Uvalde Lobos in a 7:00 PM non-district season opening matchup at the Eagle Pass ISD Student Activity Center softball field

PLAYER PROFILE:

Seniors

Heather Ruiz (Shortstop) 3 year letterman, two time 1st Team All District, 2017 District 29-6A MVP

Team Captain Heather Ruiz has and will continue to be the teammate that everyone can count on. Heather’s domination at the plate will be the key ingredient to our success in the district and playoffs! Heather’s knowledge, ability, faith, and experience will have great emphasis on guiding the team to the District Championship and advancement to the State Tournament.

Karina Ruiz: (2nd Base) 2 year letterman

Karina was the starting 2nd baseman for The Lady Eagles last year. She’s anchoring the middle infield alongside Heather. Her continuous encouragement and motivation towards the team allows her to especially stand out. We expect great maturity and leadership in her last softball season of her high school career.

Kayla Ochoa: (Left Field) 3 year letterman

Kayla Ochoa has demonstrated great flexibility in her role as a defensive player. In the absence of our starting catcher, she was able to step in and help support the pitching staff. This year we have great expectations from her at left field and hopefully she can take advantage of the opportunity and succeed. We are going to need her bat in order to go far in the Playoffs.

Elena De Alba: (Right Field) 2 year letterman

Elena De Alba has improved a lot from simply working hard and taking advantage of our Softball Athletic Class. Last year, Elena exceptionally filled in at left field, however her most dominant position would be right field. She has been more focused and understanding her strengths and weaknesses on the field. Elena will have a very good chance to take advantage of the right side of the outfield at right field. We will need her full potential for our Lady Eagles to do well in District and Playoffs.

Janessa Garza: (Utility/ DP) 2 year letterman

Coming back from an ending career injury to hopefully being the best hitter in 29-6A district we expect great things from Janessa on and off the field.

Emily Snyder: (Outfielder) 2 year letterman

Emily has really become a well rounded player by absorbing the knowledge from her teammates and ex-players that have graduated. We are hoping that she can contribute to our team this coming year like she did last year in the playoffs.

Juniors

Brooke Diaz (Catcher) 2 year letterman, 1st Team All District

Brooke Diaz has been a gift from the Softball Gods. She has exceeded all expectations at the plate and behind the plate and has posted All-District numbers at the plate as the number 3 hitter in the line-up where she has proven to be a huge RBI producer that can hit for a high average as well as with power at the plate.. Brooke is well recognized as one of the best catchers in our district, Region IV as well as in the State of Texas possessing a cannon of a throwing arm. Brooke will be highly depended on with her talent and knowledge of the game in order for the Lady Eagles to advance to State Tournament.

Kaitlin Galvan: (Pitcher) 2 year letterman, 1st Team All- District

Kaitlin has been another blessing from the above! She has really given the Lady Eagles the high respect that is demanded from their pitchers. As a freshman she was selected unanimously as a1st Team All District Pitcher.  In order for the Lady Eagles to win district and advance to the State Tournament. Kaitlin Galvan’s domination inside the circle will be vital as she works her way to be mentioned amongst the true greatest pitchers in Lady Eagles history the likes of the flame throwing Krystal De La Cruz th winningest pitcher in Lady Eagles softball history who is still dominating at the collegiate level for the NCAA Division I Louisiana Tech, as well as former Lady Eagles pitching grats Vanessa Olguin, Stephanie Bourlet and Alex Rodriguez.

Leslie Martinez: (Center Field) 2 year letterman, 1st Team All-District. She not only started as a freshman but directed the outfield at centerfield. This year we are projecting her as the lead-off position in our line-up and again taking over in the outfield. Leslie has the speed, knowledge, and bat to get us over the hump of the 4th Round and into the State Tournament.

Leenette Krezdorn: (Pitcher) 2 year letterman, 2nd Team All-District

Leenette surprised us last year early in the season when pitching for our J.V. team with her cool, pin point accuracy and changeup she brought to the game on a daily basis. She ended up earning a spot at the varsity level and never looked back. By the middle of district, Kaitlin and Leenette were the one-two punch insie the circle.

Lorelei Morales: (1st Basemen) 1 year letterman, 2nd Team All- District

She’s our returning 1st base starter, also 2nd team All-district! We will need her to help us lead the 2018 team back to where we’ve been before! Expect great things from her @the plate and the field.

Lee Ann Dunn: (2nd Basemen) 1 year letterman Honorable Mention

Outstanding 3rd basemen, received honorable mention honors last season. She plays the hot corner better than anyone. She might not be the tallest, strongest but she is the one that will complete the hardest.

Alexandra Martinez: (Utility/ DP) 1 year letterman, 1st Team All- District

All-District utility player last season. Alex has grown a lot from last year. You think she was good last year I wait to see her perform this year!

New Comers

New Comers to look for are Kaylynne Ruiz, Paola Daniel, Trisha Reyes, Alyssa Lara, Joelyn Gonzalez, Emilia Herrera, Ashley Urbina, Romelia Flores and the rest of the underclassmen that are coming out for the Lady Eagles Softball Program!

Eagle Pass Sports Central wishes the mighty Eagle Pass Lady Eagles varsity girls softball team the very best of luck during the upcoming 2018 high school softball season and invites the Loyal Legion of Lady Eagles faithful as well as the entire community of Eagle Pass, Texas to support the mighty Lady Eagles in their quest for the District 29-6A softball title.

District 29-6A Predictions:

According to the Softball Prognosticators:

1,         Southwest

2.         Eagle Pass

3.         South San

4.         Laredo Alexander

5.         Laredo United

6.         United South

7.         Laredo LBJ

 

8.         Del Rio