It probably wouldn’t be fair to call Española Valley softball coach Kourtnie Polanco a great recruiter, but let’s just say that she’s got some strong ties to the local softball community.
And that can only help as she tries to recharge the program.
“We haven’t won as many games as we’d like but we’re still working hard and building each game,” Polanco said. “My expectations are to just grow, win more games than last year. We’re coming into district playing as a team. I have a solid nine on the field every game and that has been really helpful.”
Although the team didn’t lose any seniors last season, the big task has been rebuilding the program. Last year, the Lady Sundevils did not have a junior varsity team, so that’s a year of lost development that Polanco is trying to replace.
Last year, only 14 players tried out, but this year, those numbers were up to 24.
“It’s really nice to get a JV team and start building a foundation,” she said.
And the varsity roster is pretty young, although five seniors are helping show the way for the rest of the team that includes four eighth graders and a freshman. Polanco has gone mining for players using her community contacts.
“I was really into the Little League here and so I was able to help bring in the Española players to come play with the high school instead of just going straight to a travel ball team. I provide lessons for the Little League and the community around here on my days off.”
As a matter of fact, Polanco is already putting out the word for next season.
“Anyone is welcome to come try out,” she said. “We welcome everyone to come out and see what they’ve got.”
One of the benefits of the increased numbers is now there is more than one pitcher in the program. Last season junior Aliah Villalobos had to power through on the mound with no relief in sight.
But now eighth grader Kayla Quintana is capable of helping Villalobos in the circle, and there are two more pitchers on the JV team.
Quintana is “doing amazing things as a left-hander and that really helps balance out what Aliah brings to the circle,” Polanco said. “It’s great for the program and our defense is able to back them up every single time.”