Life's a pitch

RAYMONDVILLE - At 15 years old, Adriana Barron is not a kid anymore.
And she'll be the first one to tell you that. So will her 5-foot-11 frame.
But as a pitcher for the Raymondville Lady Kats, she's grown up quite a bit too.
And anyone who's faced her can tell you that.
Thanks in part to Barron's spectacular sophomore season in the center circle, Raymondville will make its second straight trip to the Class 3A regional quartefinals this weekend, where they take on Yoakum beginning Friday night.
"Last year I was just a freshman," Barron said. "This year when I came out, I knew that three of us were going to compete for the same spot.
"I knew I wasn't a baby anymore and that's how it changed this year. I wasn't a little girl anymore."
Raymondville head coach Pete Soria says it indeed has been a coming-of-age time for Barron, who often goes by the nickname "Nana."
"Nana's basically grown up in one year, " he said. "She's mentally strong and when she's focused, she's amazing."
Playing pressure-packed games is nothing new to Barron.
As a Little Leaguer, she played in four straight state tournaments from the ages of 9-12.
"I've been in pressure games since then," she said. "It's been easier for me now because it's the pretty much the same thing."
There was plenty of pressure in a non-district clash against Weslaco East earlier this season, Soria said.
Down to only one pitcher, an ailing Barron, who had pulled a groin muscle and had tweaked her ankle, stepped in and tossed a complete game when her team needed her most.
"That showed me that not only had she grown up mentally, but physically as well," Soria said.
Barron points to her outing in the annual Willacy County Shootout as a benchmark in a season full of solid performances.
"The first Lyford game (was my best game)," Barron said. "I wanted to step up and show that I was the better pitcher. I didn't want to lose to Lyford."
She left no doubt. Barron scattered three hits and struck out 10 on 87 pitches as the Lady Kats shut out Lyford 8-0 during the first round of 31-3A play.
For the record, Barron was stellar the second time vs. Lyford as well, giving up only two hits as the Lady Kats clinched the district championship, their fourth straight.
Later after the bi-district bye that comes with being the district champ, it was time to go to work.
But it didn't start off as they would've liked in Game 1, dropping a 4-3 decision to Cuero in area last weekend.
It was definitely gut-check time for Barron and the Lady Kats. However, that's where Games 2 and 3 come in.
With its defense tightened and Barron firing on all cylinders, Raymondville earned a 5-0 win to even the series.  The Lady Kats then pulled out a hard-earned 2-1 win in nine innings to advance in dramatic fashion.
"I didn't want the season to be over. None of us did," Barron said. "That's why we went out there and played with whatever we had left. We wanted to show Cuero that we can play ball down here, too."
Now Yoakum comes calling. The Lady Bulldogs ended Raymondville's first foray into the regional quarters a year ago, leaving the proverbial bitter taste in the Lady Kats' collective mouths.
"Last year they saw us a nothing team and they just kicked our butts," Barron said. "We all really want to be beat them. This year we want to show them that we're a good team."
Soria says if Barron's on her game, they have the chance to do just that.
"As a coach, it's very comfortable to send her out on the mound," Soria said. "And if we can get our sticks going, I think we're gonna be all right."