Softball preview: Flores looks to lead Mercedes to new heights

As Stephanie Flores goes, so will the Mercedes Lady Tigers in 2012.

The senior pitcher, fresh off a terrific campaign last season, is regarded as one of, if not the best pitchers in Valley softball this season.

As the 2012 high school softball season opens, Flores will be looked to as the leader of a Lady Tiger club looking for its first district title since 2008. And she’s got the tools to do it, her coaches say.

"The great thing about her is that she’s mentally tough," Mercedes pitching coach David Gonzalez said. "And she worked on a few pitches this summer, so she’s got a bigger arsenal."

Flores was 11-4 with 148 strikeouts and a 1.18 ERA last year as a junior en route to first-team All-Valley and 32-4A Defensive Player of the Year honors. However, don’t be surprised if she surpasses those numbers in her final prep season.

Flores recently signed her letter of intent to play softball for Temple Junior College and that could work two ways: It can be viewed as a relief for the senior who can now focus on going out in style helping her club to success on the diamond.

But it’s also a sign to other teams that didn’t already know how much potential the hurler has. So Mercedes will get their opponents’ best shot twice a week.

Flores and the Lady Tigers are ready.

"She’s just got to pitch her game and depend on her defense," Gonzalez said. "She won’t try to do it all. She’s very headstrong and a good leader. As long as everybody does their part, we can get to where we want to go."

As the season gets under way, Flores leads a talented group of returning stars across the area.

Here’s a quick look at the Valley softball landscape heading into Monday’s season openers:

District 30-5A

Many point to McHi (23-8 last season) and Sharyland (19-9) as contenders to the crown. After all, they did split it a year ago.

Coach Ruth Garcia welcomes back All-Valley Newcomer of the Year Zabannah Sanchez and a host of returnees led by All-Valley outfielder Kim Martinez and 1B Alyssa Smith. Catcher Jae Ogeltree, who was key last year, is currently hurt but is looking to return before district.

Not far behind will be Paul Cruz’s Lady Rattlers with seven returning starters of his own. P/SS Kim Chaves leads a stout cast and keep an eye on freshman infielder Roxy Chapa, a hard-hitter with lots of potential.

McAllen Rowe (18-13) made the playoffs last year and welcomes back pitcher Lauren Garza, who had a great freshman year and is poised to pick up where she left off. Coach Stephanie Cantu welcomes back 10 starters to her junior-senior ballclub that’s got plenty of potential.

The fourth spot (or better) could be an interesting race. Mission (11-16) edged La Joya (17-14) in a fourth-place play-in game last year. Don’t be surprised if these two teams are neck and neck again.

Mission has good returners in SS Bernice Ponce and sophomore Gabby Castillo.

The Lady Coyotes return three-year starter Sylvia Barrera at pitcher and junior standout Alexis Rodriguez makes the move to catcher.

A darkhorse could be Donna (9-18) as Rene Salinas comes over after a stint as top assistant at Edcouch-Elsa.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: McHi/ Sharyland, McAllen Rowe, La Joya/Mission, Donna, McAllen Memorial, La Joya Palmview

District 31-5A

As of now, all signs point to a showdown between Edinburg and Edinburg North. The crosstown rivals bring back a bevy of talent and are a very close 1-2 in the Valley preseason poll.

EHS (31-6) off its second straight Sweet 16 appearance, welcomes back eight starters led by pitcher Samantha Arciba, 3B Torie De Leon, 2B Anissa Gonzalez and OF Myranda Hinojosa. Skipper Jesse Banda’s club is one of the most talented in the Valley.

The Cougars (29-9), regional quarterfinalists in ‘11, bring back pitcher Annie Badillo, one of the best in the area, and eight starters of their own. Samm Cantu and Vanessa Salazar lead a solid group of returnees. Also, Faith Escobar, a transfer from E-E, will instantly help as another arm and a solid infielder and Richard Tressler’s team will be fighting for the title.

Not far behind are Harlingen (20-12) and Harlingen South (22-12) the other two playoff teams of a year ago.

The Lady Cards have arguably the area’s best 1-2 hitting punch in catcher Krista Leal (the All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year in ’11) and shortstop Lynette Hernandez. Should pitching come around, Harlingen could be a player.

South lost All-Valley Pitcher of the Year Chelsie Alejandro, but coach Debbie Esparza will field a solid team with eight starters back. Shortstop Stephanie Lugo is one of the best around and youngster Priscilla Loa and and Mariah Guevara are solid and Jewels Ortiz provides pop at first.

PSJA North brings back 31-5A top newcomer Ileana Aleman, while PSJA and PSJA Memorial each have darkhorse potential as this district has no gimmies.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Edinburg/Edinburg North, Harlingen, Harlingen South, PSJA North, PSJA, PSJA Memorial, Edinburg Economedes

District 32-5A

The question on everyone’s mind here has been "How’s Amber?"

They’re referring to San Benito pitcher Amber Jasso, last season’s All-Valley MVP who helped the Lady ’Hounds (34-5) become the first Valley team to reach to the Elite 8. Jasso suffered a shoulder injury and her full-time return is unclear, but she figures to be back for San Benito sometime around district play. Elias Martinez welcomes back six starters in all, including top-notch infielders in Kasey Sanchez and Adriana "Squirt" Flores and hard-hitting Jackie Elizondo.

Weslaco (19-9) opened some eyes last year with a young club that could smack the ball and made the playoffs. The Pantherettes bring back eight starters from that team, led by OF Angela Johnson, a first-team All-Valley pick last year. A solid group of sophomores, led by pitcher Summer Smith brings optimism for coach Mario Rodriguez.

Los Fresnos (25-8) was tough a year ago, even dealing San Benito its only district loss. But the Lady Falcons were bitten by the injury bug in the offseason, namely catcher Courtney Taylor. But LF still has Alex Galvan pitching and some talent back to weather the storm.

Last year, many were surprised when Brownsville Porter (16-15) missed the playoffs for the first time under Luis Guevara.

Nobody more than Guevara himself.

The Cowgirls were three-time defending 32-5A champs but were arguably one the Valley’s youngest teams last year with no seniors. Their 16-15 record proved just that.

Indeed, Porter brings back a host of returnees including 1B Veronica Guevara, Sujeia Tovar, Alexa Briones, and Kim Sanchez among others.

The two newcomers in the circle are Marisela Gaytan and Sabrina Garcia, and each will handle the Cowgirls’ pitching duties.

The rest of the district could spring an upset, as last year’s games showed.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: San Benito, Weslaco, Brownsville Porter, Los Fresnos, Brownsville Hanna, Brownsville Pace, Brownsville Lopez, Brownsville Rivera.

District 32-4A

This 10-team league gets going right out of the gate.

Coaches point to a possible Mid-Valley showdown with Edcouch-Elsa (24-4), Mercedes (24-10) and Weslaco East (18-10) at the top with RGC (18-11) not far behind.

E-E won its first district title last season and Joey Palacios brings back another quality club with names like Felicia Flores, Lizzie Guerrero, Sabrina Ramos and Sandy Guerrero (32-4A newcomer). In all, the Lady ‘Jackets bring back 9 with experience from a year ago and will be a tough draw once again.

Mercedes brings back three starters in addition to Flores, but the Tigers are primed for a run with veteran coach Betty Morrell. Sluggers Kassie and Kristen Arguelles are also back.

Weslaco East is another team full of experience, with nine starters back led by junior infielder Marissa Decanini and transfer Monica Ramirez for Adalberto Guerra.

Rio has Dayna Rivera back to try and get the Lady Rattlers to another playoff spot.

Roma (15-12) showed vast improvement last year for coach Jose Cantu and lists five starters back.

The rest of the district is tough to judge, but as last season showed, any team can sneak up at anytime.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: E-E/Mercedes, Weslaco East, RGC, Roma, Mission Veterans, Hidalgo, Valley View, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Brownsville Veterans Memorial

District 31-3A

With only two Valley teams in this league for now, Lyford and Raymondville figure to make noise this year.

The Lady Bulldogs (13-12) came around late under new coach Pete Garcia and won a playoff series after two straight Sweet 16 appearances. Junior SS Maggie Vasquez is one of the Valley’s best athletes, while senior 1B Renee Chavez has been an All-Valley regular since her freshman year.

Raymondville (2-19) stumbled a year ago with a young club, but Pete Soria’s team has plenty of room to grow. The Lady Kats missed the playoffs for the first time in several years, but six returners, including SS Lissette Esparza, are out to erase that.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Lyford, Robstown, Raymondville, West Oso, Orange Grove, C.C. Miller

District 32-3A

Last year, Zapata (15-8) claimed its first district championship and this year will be another tough race.

The Lady Hawks figure to be salty once again. Zapata brings back Michelle Arce, who leads a group of six starters.

Rio Hondo (14-14) brings back five starters for skipper Brett Esparza. Iraida Garcia and Ashley Cañas lead a talented Lady Bobcats club.

La Feria (15-9) has a new coach in Donnie Flores, who’ll look to get the Lionettes back to the postseason. Flores has five girls back led by pitcher Alexcia Ceballos senior Mikayla Johnson and OF Kayla Olivares, the district’s top newcomer.

Port Isabel (11-15) got back to the playoffs last year with freshman pitcher Daniela Salinas shining in the circle. Salinas is back and will be one of the district’s top arms for new coach Jesse Garza.

PSJA Southwest and veteran coach Johnny Medrano makes one-year only appearance before going 4A next year. The young Lady Javelinas field mostly underclassmen and will learn on the fly from one of the best coaches around.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Zapata, Rio Hondo, La Feria/Port Isabel, Grulla, PSJA Southwest

District 32-2A

Santa Rosa (7-11) has a wealth of experience back for coach Sergio Nunez. The Lady Warriors have six starters back, four of them seniors (Raven Flores, Daisy Cruz, April Romero, Biana Fox). With some newcomers, look for the Lady Warriors to get back to the postseason.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Kingsville Santa Gertrudis Academy, Hebbronville, Santa Rosa, Riviera, Falfurrias, Quest Academy.

Armando Garza covers high school softball for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at 956-430-6255 or at armandog@valleystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @adgarza5.

VFN preseason Top 10

1. Edinburg

2. Edinburg North

3. San Benito

4. Weslaco

5. Sharyland

6. McHi

7. Edcouch-Elsa

8. Mercedes

9. Lyford

10. Harlingen

15 players to watch (in alphabetical order)

Samantha Arciba, Edinburg

Analisa Badillo, Edinburg North

Roxy Chapa, Sharyland

Adriana Flores, San Benito

Stephanie Flores, Mercedes

Lauren Garza, McAllen Rowe

Sandy Guerrero, Edcouch-Elsa

Amber Jasso, San Benito

Angela Johnson, Weslaco

Krista Leal, Harlingen

Stephanie Lugo, Harlingen South

Daniela Salinas, Port Isabel

Zabannah Sanchez, McHi

Courtney Taylor, Los Fresnos

Maggie Vasquez, Lyford