Found in Translation

Diana Castillo had to adjust to several aspects of life in the United States after moving from Ciudad Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, Mexico - stricter classrooms, different food, a new language. Dominating the diamond wasn't an adjustment.

The Hidalgo sophomore's skills with a hardball translated just fine, earning her The Monitor's 2008 All-Valley Newcomer of the Year award. She's joined by San Benito's Elias Martinez, the coach of the year, and La Joya's Clara Navarro, the most valuable player, atop the All-Valley first team.

"If it wasn't for her, this school wouldn't have had any success," Hidalgo coach Joe Pena said. "And even though (this season) wasn't that great, for Hidalgo it's a big deal because they don't play softball out there.

"These girls are barely starting to realize that, ‘Look, (Castillo's) been playing forever. Look how good you can be if you start playing early on.'"

Even if it isn't softball, or in this country.

Castillo began playing baseball alongside the boys at 6 years old. She didn't start softball until 13, and in three short years she's become a force on the field.

In her first season of varsity play, she hit an eye-popping .849 (45-for-53) with 18 doubles, seven triples and four home runs, one a game-winning grand slam. She tallied 14 RBIs, stole 12 bases and went 14-10 with 194 strikeouts in 158 innings pitched.

"I'm proud of what I've done," Castillo said through a translator. "I never would have thought I would do this well, especially in the (Rio Grande) Valley. I thought the competition would be too hard. But I feel good about my accomplishments."

Martinez received the coaching nod after taking a young, second-place team on an impressive playoff run to the school's second regional semifinals in three years. The Lady Greyhounds eliminated rival Harlingen High and district champs Eagle Pass and PSJA North along the way.

"Coming into the season, we had graduated Briana (Guerra), Crystal Castillo and Jackie Herrera from last year's team, and some other girls who had been three- and four-year starters for us, so we had some big holes to fill," Martinez said. "We knew we were going to be young, so we just came in like we always do, with high expectations, and through hard work anything is impossible.

"But even I was surprised how well we finished off."

Martinez has a .748 winning percentage (235-78-1) in 10 seasons at San Benito. He's taken the school to the playoffs every year, won five district championships - and shows no signs of slowing down.

"Hopefully I'll know when to go out on a winning note, but I can guarantee you this, if I were ever able to win state, that would be it," Martinez said.

PSJA North pitcher Roxanne Rodriguez, the 2007 All-Valley MVP, headlines the first team. Rodriguez (28-3) posted 262 strikeouts and a 1.95 ERA in 202 innings pitched. She also had a .435 BA with 20 RBIs. In three seasons, the Lady Raiders ace has 720 strikeouts and a 67-15 record.

Teammate Amanda Garces (.511 BA, 55 hits, .893 fielding percentage) is the first-team third baseman for the second straight season. The other repeat players are La Joya pitcher/first baseman Aysha Soliz (.402 BA, 158 strikeouts, 18-2 record) Mercedes outfielder Alyssa Posadas (.386 BA, 21 RBIs, five HRs) and Mission High outfielder Monica Gonzalez (.326 BA), a recent Lindenwood commit.

Brownsville Porter's Rocio Valle (.477 BA, five HRs) and Kory Flores (.443 BA, 47 stolen bases), San Benito's Itchy Sauceda (.426 BA, 50 hits), Edinburg North's Monica Torresmutt (.392 BA, 29 RBIs, three HRs), La Joya's Clarisa Navarro (.475 BA, 59 hits, 50 runs) and Mercedes' Alyssa Martinez (.423 BA, 22 RBIs, .971 fielding percentage, 2.66 ERA) round out the list.

Jason McDaniel covers high school softball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442.

2008 All-Valley softball team

Most Valuable Player - Clara Navarro, senior, La Joya

Newcomer of the Year - Diana Castillo, sophomore, Hidalgo

Coach of the Year - Elias Martinez, San Benito

FIRST TEAM

PITCHER - Roxanne Rodriguez, junior, PSJA North

CATCHER - Rocio Valle, sophomore, Brownsville Porter

FIRST BASE - Itchy Sauceda, senior, San Benito

SECOND BASE - Monica Torresmutt, Edinburg North

THIRD BASE - Amanda Garces, junior, PSJA North

SHORTSTOP - Clarisa Navarro, sophomore, La Joya

OUTFIELD - Alyssa Posadas, senior, Mercedes; Monica Gonzalez, senior, Mission High; Kory Flores, junior, Brownsville Porter

DESIGNATED PLAYER - Aysha Soliz, senior, La Joya

UTILITY - Alyssa Martinez, senior, Mercedes

SECOND TEAM

PITCHER - JoAnn Herrera, sophomore, San Benito

CATCHER - Ashley Alfaro, junior, Raymondville

FIRST BASE - Kay Motheral, senior, Sharyland

SECOND BASE - Nicki Ramos, sophomore, Los Fresnos

THIRD BASE - Victoria Garza, Harlingen High

SHORTSTOP - Kezia Cabrera, senior, Sharyland

OUTFIELD - Renee Martinez, senior, McAllen High; Sadie Sanchez, San Benito; Elizabeth Alvarez, Raymondville

DESIGNATED PLAYER - Iliana Hinojosa, sophomore, Edinburg North

UTILITY - Jessy Cadena, senior, Mercedes