By BRIAN ARGABRIGHT
The 830 Times
Today is a day the Del Rio Queens softball team has been looking to since the season began.
After a few days of waiting, the Queens learned they would be facing the San Antonio Holmes Lady Huskies in a one-game playoff match-up for the Bi-District title Friday at 7 p.m. at the softball field adjacent to Gustafson Stadium in San Antonio.
Queens head coach Arnulfo “Nufie” Rodriguez said he was the one who pushed for the one-game playoff, expressing confidence in Del Rio’s hurlers. He said the plan is to go with Rebekah Alcaraz first and if necessary go to Ithalia Ozuna and Jada Bishop to help close things out.
It has been three seasons since the Queens last played in the postseason. In 2019 the team won the first game in a three-game series, marking the first ever playoff win for the program. They would lose the next two games to be eliminated, but hopes were high for a return to the playoffs next season.
Next season would end in March after Del Rio defeated Laredo LBJ on the Friday before spring break. The COVID-19 pandemic would force the postponement and eventual cancellation of the 2020 season, wiping out hopes for a postseason return.
Last season, Del Rio finished the regular season tied with the Laredo Alexander Lady Bulldogs for fourth place and forcing a play-in game for the right to be the district’s fourth seed. Del Rio lost the game, 13-12, but it served as fuel for the team’s returners this season including the five seniors – Kayla Mendoza, Bishop, Jena Villarreal, Kassady Salazar and Desiree Gomez.
The Queens finished third in District 30-6A, setting up a meeting with 29-6A’s second seed, Holmes. Holmes is on a six-game winning streak headed into Friday night’s game while the Queens dropped their final two games of the regular season.
Del Rio will be the visiting team in Friday night’s game. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
District and senior passes will be accepted. No noisemakers will be allowed.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://nisd.net/athletics/online-tickets. Scroll down until you see the “Playoffs” area for Del Rio versus Holmes and click on the “Get Tickets” link to purchase your tickets. Cost is $4 for adults, $2 for students. Online sales end Friday at 11 a.m.
Friday, fans are urged to line up along US Highway 90 East, near the San Felipe Springs Golf Course and Dr. Fermin Calderon Elementary School, and show their support for the team as they depart for San Antonio. The team is expected to pass by the area around 1:10 p.m., so fans are encouraged to line up and show their signs of support prior to that.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
