Coming off a strong District 2-4A finish a year ago in which Pojoaque Valley won its last six softball games, there was a strong feeling of optimism heading into this season.
But the Elkettes soon had more important things on their minds after their head coach, Chris Ortiz, suffered a heart attack last week that left him hospitalized but recovering.
“We realize that our time is limited and we have to cherish our moments together,” said senior third baseman Lilah Herrera. “It’s very mentally challenging. Our coach being out, us girls have to become even closer now. We have to try and work harder and try to pull something together for district.”
The coach’s son, Christopher Ortiz, who has been the junior varsity head coach and an assistant varsity coach, has taken over on an interim basis for the rest of the season while his dad recuperates.
“I actually sat down with them (Thursday) and I think they’re a lot more mentally prepared than before,” Christopher Ortiz said. “It took a toll on them, too. They tell me they want to do it for coach so that’s their mentality.”
Still, it’s tough for the team to continue to focus on playing at the moment, said senior middle infielder Allayah Rios.
“I think it’s had an impact mentally,” she said. “He’s been our coach, for some of us for four or five years. I think its hard playing without your head coach. He’s our foundation and we build off of and from him.”
Chris Ortiz took over the Pojoaque program in 2019 after serving for nine seasons as the junior varsity coach so he’s seen most of the players grow up.
“We’ve talked and it’s just hard without him,” Rios said. “He’s in our prayers. He’s been like a second father to a lot of us. We’re very close with him. It’s been hard, but we’re just trying to play for him and pull it together for him.”
The Elkettes return seven senior starters, so there is certainly ample talent on hand for Pojoaque to make another district run, Christopher Ortiz said.
“My expectations right now is for them to play to the best of their ability,” he said. “I know what they can do. My dad knew what they can do. We’re hoping to make it to state. That’s my main goal. For him. That would make him happy. He’s such a good person and such a good coach. It would make him happy if his girls went pretty far.”
In addition to Herrera and Rios, the Elkettes will rely on senior pitcher Makaela Mondragon, who took over in the circle last season.
“Her strong points are she battles up there,” Christopher Ortiz said. “Her main thing is she keeps going. She never quits. Even when she’s tired, she still stays in there and battles.”
Overall, the team flashes strong leather, he said.
“Our strength would probably be our defense,” Christopher Ortiz said. “And when we don’t walk people, that’s when we’re playing our best and staying consistent on the field.”
It really comes down to putting their full effort into the game, Rios said.
“I think it makes us play harder and calms our nerves,” she said of the situation. “No matter what happens, we’re trying to play for him. We want him to see that we’re trying to play as hard as we can without him just to show him that we took what he taught as and we’re applying it. We’re trying to pull it together for him.”
Chris Ortiz was that influence that helped the players perform at their best, Herrera said.
“I think we’re all just kind of missing the sense of comfort that we got from coach Ortiz,” she said. “We’ve all loved him. He’s been my coach since eighth grade and it’s just not the same with him not being there. He has not missed a practice before. He was the heartbeat. So we want to just come together for coach Chris. I know our potential and we can be a great team if we all of come together and show out. Come together, work together and pull together as a family.”