Ready for action
Lady 'Hounds set to face Austin Bowie

Armando Garza/Valley Morning Star
May 15, 2008 11:41 pm

SAN ANTONIO - If a team's supposed to be nervous in the Sweet 16, consider the San Benito Lady ‘Hounds an exception to the rule.
In the Class 5A regional semifinals for the second time in three seasons, San Benito looks to get over the hump when they open their best-of-three series against Austin Bowie tonight at Field 2 of the Don Hardin Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.
And they like their chances.
"We've had good, loose practices all week long," San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said. "The girls are feeling good, feeling confident. We know we're going up against a perennial powerhouse, but we fear no one and respect them all.
"It's a challenge for our girls," Martinez continued. "And we feel we have a good chance to go up there and compete with them. We're not arrogant, but just confident that we can do well."
San Benito has had to work to reach the Sweet 16, but they've earned it. The Lady ‘Hounds got past Harlingen in bi-district (1-0), Eagle Pass in area (2-1, 9-1) and PSJA North in the regional quarters (3-2).
And they're peaking right now, and what a time to do it.
"At the beginning we were real young and the girls were learning." Martinez said. "But when it came time for the playoffs, everything just clicked. That's were we're at right now, everyone is gelling."
Sophomore pitcher Jo Ann Herrera has turned up her game in the postseason, as San Benito's 4-0 playoff record shows.
Defensively, San Benito is as good as they come, and they boast talented infield and outfield groups.
At the plate, no one's been hotter than Adrienne "Itchy" Sauceda, who's knocked in two game-winning hits this postseason alone.
But it's not just Sauceda. From top to bottom a different Lady ‘Hound has come through at the plate at one time or another.
While not overconfident, the Lady ‘Hounds aren't intimidated.
That should be a victory in itself, because Bowie can play.
Boy, can they.
Ranked fifth in the state in this week's Texas Girls' Coaches Association Top 10 poll, the Lady Bulldogs are on track to have a season like they did in 2007.
"They came out third place in the state last year and they're all returning." Martinez said of Bowie. "So we know they're a good team. When you're in the Sweet 16, everybody's gonna be good."
A year ago, Bowie advanced all the way to the state tournament in Austin, before falling in the state semis to Garland.
This year, the District 25-5A champs have breezed through the playoffs by dispatching of San Antonio Churchill (2-0, 7-0), Marshall (9-1, 4-0) and O'Connor (2-0), allowing only one total run in the process.
A big reason has been junior pitcher Blaire Luna, who carried Bowie past O'Connor in their one-game playoff last week.
But Martinez knows the Lady Bulldogs are much, much more.
"They do a little bit of everything. They're solid all the way around," he said. "If they're hitting the ball well, they'll swing away and if not, they'll play small ball. They do it all, depending on what's working for them."
The winner of the three-game series will take on the winner of the La Joya-Smithson Valley series, which will be played at the Student Activity Center in Laredo.

Article taken from RGV SPORTS on 05/16/08