By Brian Argabright
After a season in which the Queens softball team finished tied for fourth and just missed out on the postseason by one run, it was time for several members of the team to reap the rewards.
Six Queens earned spots on the District 30-6A all-district teams while three additional players joined two award winners in being named to the all-district all-academic team.
Leading the way for Del Rio were three all-district first teamers – outfielder Giselle Valdez, first baseman Desirae “Desi” Rodriguez and shortstop Ariana Alcaraz.
Valdez, a senior, might have been the Queens’ most feared hitter. A unanimous selection, Valdez was intentionally walked at least three teams and managed to get a hit in every Queens home game. Her best effort came against Laredo Alexander as she smashed three triples, scored three runs and had seven RBIs in a 19-13 win that helped Del Rio earn a share of fourth place.
Rodriguez, a senior, was also a unanimous all-district selection. The daughter of head coach Arnulfo “Nufie” Rodriguez, Desi was a solid hand in the field and typically hit out of the number two spot, helping to set the table for the Queens’ bigger hitters. Against Alexander, Rodriguez reached base all five times she came to bat, eventually scoring four runs.
Alcaraz, a senior, was one of Del Rio’s more versatile players as she split time between shortstop and pitcher. Alcaraz was Del Rio’s leadoff hitter and made getting on base a regular occurrence. She scored eight runs in Del Rio’s six home games, second only to Rodriguez in that span.
Freshman Hope Martinez was the Queens’ only all-district second team selection. The team’s starting catcher, Martinez had never played the position before this season, but by the end of the year she was one of Del Rio’s more solid defenders. A contender for the district’s newcomer of the year award, reached base safely in every Queens’ home game this season. Her biggest showing came in the play-in game between Del Rio and Alexander as she went 4-for-5 with seven RBIs and needing just a home run to complete the cycle.
Senior Alexis Salinas and junior Kayla Mendoza were named as all-district honorable mentions.
Salinas was the Queens’ utility outfielder, playing left and right throughout the season. She had three hits and three RBIs against Alexander.
Mendoza was Del Rio’s regular third baseman. Like Valdez, Mendoza had a hit in every Queens home game and drove in Del Rio’s only run in a loss against Eagle Pass.
The all-academic team honorees included Rodriguez, junior Desiree Gomez, junior Jena Villarreal, freshman Syann Casillas and Martinez.
