By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Three San Benito middle school softball teams have joined several Harlingen middle schools to compete on the diamond for the first time, and it couldn’t have started any better when the Berta Cabaza Lady Greypups beat the Vernon Lady Mustangs, 5-1.
The game was played at San Benito High School’s softball field, where the Lady Greyhounds host their home games. According to the San Benito CISD Athletics Department, Berta Cabaza, Miller Jordan, and the Riverside middle school softball teams will play their “home” games at SBHS.
Now that Berta Cabaza is in the win column, Miller Jordan and Riverside will try to follow in their rival’s footsteps as they compete this week.
All teams will play weekly through December, culminating in an end-of-season tournament at a date and location to be determined.
A midseason tournament is also planned, so each team will play about a dozen games by the time the student-athletes are released for their holiday break.
The middle school softball season will also occur before the high school season begins, with January practices marking the start.
In fact, members of the SBHS softball team, including the coaching staff, attended Berta Cabaza’s inaugural game Monday, which drew a capacity crowd.
School and district administrators also attended.
SBCISD Superintendent Fred Perez threw out the ceremonial first pitch 10 minutes before the 5:30 p.m. game began.
Perez and SBCISD Board President Orlando “Papas” Lopez said it is good to see a path opening for younger student-athletes. President Lopez said that if softball provides an avenue for middle schoolers to enhance their lives beyond high school, then it’s worth it.
“It is an exciting time to offer more to our students; we discuss the opportunities we want to provide to students in our district,” Perez said.
SBCISD School Board Trustee Celina Gonzales said these are new opportunities for middle school girls.
“These programs mean more than runs and wins. They give our kids a place to belong, build confidence, learn teamwork, and proudly represent their schools,” Trustee Gonzales said after sharing a social media post about the season. “As a trustee and a parent, I’m excited to cheer for that.”
Berta Cabaza’s softball coaches are Javana Gonzalez and Jaynee Morales. The Miller Jordan softball coaches are Patricia Marroquin and Norma Rodriguez. Riverside’s softball coaches are Tessa Guerrero and Abbygale Garcia.
According to the SBCISD, if there are “A” and “B” teams playing on the same day, “A” team games are 75 minutes and “B” team games are 50 minutes, with the home plate umpire keeping time.
The five-week middle school schedules are as follows:
SOFTBALL
Oct. 26, Berta Cabaza vs. Vernon, at SBHS; Oct. 28, Miller Jordan vs. Riverside, at SBHS; Nov. 2, Miller Jordan vs. Vela, at SBHS; Nov. 4, Riverside vs. Berta Cabaza, at SBHS; Nov. 9, Miller Jordan vs. Berta Cabaza, at SBHS; Nov. 11, Riverside vs. Coakley, at Dixieland Field; Nov. 12-13, Midseason Tournament, at SBHS; Nov. 16, Berta Cabaza vs. Memorial, at Keys; Miller Jordan vs. Vernon; Nov. 18, Riverside vs. Vela, at Keys Field; Dec. 2, Riverside vs. Gutierrez, at SBHS, Berta Cabaza vs. Vela, at Dixieland; Dec. 3-5, End of Season Tournament, TBA.
BASEBALL
Miller Jordan vs. Riverside, Oct. 27, at SBHS; Miller Jordan vs. Coakley, Nov. 3, at SBHS; Miller Jordan vs. Berta Cabaza, Nov. 10, at SBHS; Miller Jordan vs. Vernon, Nov. 17, at Dixieland Field, in Harlingen; Miller Jordan vs. Vela, Dec. 1, at SBHS; Riverside vs. Miller Jordan, Oct. 31, at SBHS; Riverside vs. Berta Cabaza, Nov. 7, at SBHS; Riverside vs. Vernon, Nov. 11, at Keys Field, in Harlingen; Riverside vs. Vela, Nov. 17, at SBHS; Riverside vs. Memorial, Dec. 1, at SBHS.
Berta Cabaza’s baseball coaches are Rick Lugo and Cris Cervantez. Miller Jordan’s baseball coaches are Frank Torres and Michael Ramirez. Riverside’s baseball coaches are Cris Ortega and Roberto Fuentes.