Socorro Off To Good Start

By Nicky Romero
For The Mountain Mail

Socorro softball coach Gary Apodaca is looking forward to a much better season than last year. Last year, his team ended with a 13-14 record, but still qualified for the state tournament. They lost their only two games in the tournament.
So far this season, the team is off to a 7-4 record. The four losses came from Class 4A and Class 5A schools -- Eastwood El Paso, El Paso Jefferson, Espanola, and Grants.
Wins have come against Morenci High Arizona, Espanola, Estancia twice and Laguna-Acoma, which it has defeated three times.
The Lady Warriors placed third in the Grants/Laguna-Acoma Tournament this past weekend.
This year Apodaca, who is beginning his fifth year as head coach, is sounding much more optimistic.
“This year we're really looking forward to a much better season,” Apodaca said. “We finally have all the freshmen and eighth graders that we had four or five years ago. They are finally seniors so they're well-seasoned and more experienced. It's starting to show on the field so we're very happy with that.
“This year, we have Amberli Benavidez catching. We have Maureen Trujillo as our mainstay for pitching. Courtney Edmister is at first base. Vanessa Jojola is at second base. Gina Rico is at shortstop. Kristen Gonzales is at third base.”
“In the outfield, we have Brittany McDaniel who just came out a week ago because of basketball. Myra Acosta who will also be backing up at third base. Chantilly Gallegos, who will also be our backup pitcher, will play centerfield. Danielle Valadez will be our backup catcher, who stepped in quite well at the tournament this weekend. Amber Bennett will be our starting right fielder.”
“Ashley Pyke is an up and coming player and will be playing some at third base and outfield.”
Coach Rick Trujillo assists with the team and has been with the program for five years. His daughter and former four-year letterman with Apodaca, Natasha Trujillo, also assists for the first time this year.
Apodaca said, “Hopefully, we can continue our ways in winning and doing well.”

Pictured: The Socorro softball team. Front row (left to right): Savannah Padilla, Natiele Paz, Vanessa Jojola, Maria Alderete, Damianna Contreras. Middle row: Tasha Trujillo, Kyre Delcarlo, Maureen Trujillo, Kristen Gonzales, Amber Bennett, Chantilly Gallegos, Aston Monette, Steffany Sandoval. Back row: Coach Rick Trujillo, Jocelyn Carmona, Ashley Pyke, Courtney Edminster, Gina, Rice, Amberli Benavidez, Myra Acosta, Brittany McDaniel and Coach Gary Apodaca. Missing: Bryn Botko, Danielle Veladez.

Photo by John Severance

Socorro Off To Good Start