No sophomore slump here

SAN BENITO - JoAnn Herrera wasn't going to surprise anyone this time around.
The All-Valley Newcomer of the Year last season, everyone knew what the Lady 'Hound ace could do in center circle coming into 2008.
It didn't matter.
Bucking any signs of a sophomore slump, Herrera has been sensational in her second year, a big reason San Benito is back in the Class 5A softball regional quarterfinals.
San Benito (26-6) hosts PSJA North (31-6) in a one-game playoff Friday night at Lady 'Hound Field.
"Last year she was new and she took everybody by storm," San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said of Herrera, who went 23-6 with 12 shutouts. "This year everybody knew what to expect from her and she's surpassed everything she did last year. She's come out and worked harder to meet the goals she's set for herself.
When everybody's gunnin' for you and you still surpass last year, that's a tribute to her work ethic."
Herrera said she knew that she was going to have to step up to fool the competition this season.
"I came in prepared this season because the teams knew how I pitched already," she said. "They were preparing more and knew what I could do."
According to Martinez, Herrera has matured quickly since splashing onto the softball scene last year. She took over for her sister Jackie last season and hasn't let go of the starting pitcher's slot.
While her older sister was injured last season, Martinez said JoAnn soaked up anything she could learn from her sister in order to get up to speed.
"She's just kept on maturing," Martinez said. "So she's been pitching at this level for two seasons now."
Indeed, this year, she hasn't slowed down. So far, Herrera has helped the Lady 'Hounds win three tough playoff games.
Against Harlingen in bi-district, Herrera tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 Lady Cardinals in a 1-0 win.
Then last weekend against Eagle Pass, Herrera was part of a San Benito sweep, 2-1 in Game One and 9-1 in the clincher.
"When we started the playoffs, you could tell that she'd stepped it up," Martinez said. "Going into the Eagle Pass games, she told us she was going to find a way to help us win."
One look at Herrera in action, and the intensity can be seen in her game, no matter the situation. Martinez said his pitcher is very much zoned in when she's in center circle.
"She takes everything very personal and she's mentally tough," he said. "She's very competitive. She hates when she walks someone or someone gets a hit off of her. When you have that kind of competitiveness, you're gonna be successful."
Herrera described what she aims to do game in and game out.
"I take my game very seriously," she said. "I always have to get the leadoff batter. If I don't, it's just momentum for them for that inning."
One thing that the sophomore's comfortable with is a talented defensive club behind her, whom she praised on several occasions.
"I love my defense, they're always there for me to make the routine plays," Herrera said. "It helps me a lot, knowing that they could hit off of me and the infield and outfield is there 100 percent, especially my catcher (Ruby Castillo)."
Going up against one of the Valley's marquee pitchers in North's Roxanne Rodriguez, Herrera will have to ratchet her game up for the Lady 'Hounds to have a chance Friday night.
"I turn my intensity up a lot knowing I'm facing a pitcher that might be as good as me," she said. "So I just need to focus on my game and not get too overconfident."