Mid-Valley teams look to write school history in 2010

WESLACO - If Weslaco East intends to make its first playoff appearance, this would be the year to do it.

The Lady Wildcats are a prime example of a senior-oriented ballclub. A total of 12 seniors are back, including seven starters from last season’s fifth-place squad that missed the postseason by one game. In fact, East has missed the playoffs by one place three years in a row.

“This should be the year, it better be,” said softball coach Adalberto Guerra. “It’s good to have. They’ve been playing together for four years and it’s an advantage over some teams.”

The roster includes seven players who made the all-district list. Guerra has Olivia Ruiz as the ace pitcher and Cecily Caballero in the two slot. The senior is back from knee surgery that prevented her from playing last year. Kylie Boswell (1B), Cari Peña (2B), Cassie Torres (SS) and Joanie Garcia (C) make up the experienced infield, while Tracia Boswell (CF) and Briana Cardenas (LF) are back in the outfield.

WESLACO

In the three years Mario Rodriguez has been skipper for the Lady Panthers, two have culminated in playoff appearances. He intends to make it three of four with six starters back, including Clari Villarreal at centerfield, Mandy Calderon at second base and Kim Marquez at third base, all of whom are three-year starters. Brittany Smith at first base and Cassi Espinosa are also part of the veteran infield which Rodriguez said has played together the last couple of years. Alex Galvan is expected to be the ace pitcher as she went 19-12 as a freshman last year. Weslaco is expected to be in the thick of the district race along with powers Brownsville Porter and San Benito. The Lady Panthers lost in the bi-district round last season, but made it to the area round in 2007.

“We have combination of youth and experience that are jelling together,” Rodriguez said.