Deer Park softball is steeped in tradition.
That tradition is proudly displayed all over Doll Forrest Field, a beautiful facility at the high school’s North Campus, which opened two seasons ago.
Deer Park has gone to the state final four six times – most recently in 2022. The year before that, the Deer captured its third state crown, pairing it with championships in 2012 and 2017.
So when the Deer get eliminated early in the playoffs, it comes with a little bit of shock.
That’s what happened last season. Deer Park cruised through district play to another undefeated title in 22-6A and piled up 18 runs in a bi-district sweep of North Shore. A week later, Alvin held the Deer (27-8) to five singles in a 5-0 win.
It was Deer Park’s earliest exit in the state playoffs since 2018.
“Last year, we definitely didn’t think we were going to get cut short,” Deer Park senior catcher Mia Montemayor said. “I just think we had a lot of talent and I think we do now. I think this year, we’re focusing more on striving and getting all of our talent out there. These girls work super hard and we are really focusing on getting better this year.”
Montemayor is the lone player left that went to state in 2022. There would be no better feeling than getting back to the University of Texas this season and play at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
“That’s the end goal,” Montemayor said. “Nobody wants to end their season without winning a state title.”
Deer Park head coach Amy Vidal-Bush doesn’t have to dig deep on days her team needs a little shot to the system.
“Anytime I think they’re lacking a little motivation, I’m quick to remind them about what happened last year,” Vidal-Bush said. “I pour gas on the fire if I feel like that’s what needs to happen. For the most part, they are a pretty motivated group of kids, it’s looking like.”
The great news is the Deer return a lot of talent.
“I have a lot of returners,” Vidal-Bush said. “We were really young last year. I have a solid group of senior returners. I feel like this group is the first group that hasn’t had a ridiculous amount of success since I’ve been here. I tend to remind them a lot and I’m hoping that is going to help them get motivated and get the leadership from them”
Montemayor, a Texas Southern signee, is one of those key returners. She is experienced in working the top two pitchers behind the plate.
Junior Braelynn Jones, a Texas Tech commit, returns after earning district Pitcher of the Year. Joining Jones on staff is Madi Alvarado, a first-team All-District pitcher at Dayton last year.
“Braelynn and I – I have been catching her since she was a freshman here,” Montemayor said. “We have this close bond and I just now she has her trust in me and I have my trust in her. She is going to do the very best she can. Madi and I go really far back – since we were 12 years old – playing on the same select team. She’s new to the program, but her and I are just meshing all over again so I think we’re going to have a great time this year.”
Jones, just half way through her high school career, showed a lot as an underclassman.
“She had a good start so far,” Vidal-Bush said. “She is throwing the ball well and I feel like Madi coming in has been a fabulous 1-2 punch. They’re both very, very different in the way that they look and throw. But I think it will be very effective and they are still trying to figure each other out.”
Senior first baseman Zoie Powell is really looking forward to seeing how the pitching fares.
“I think our pitching is stacked,” Powell said. I think the pitching will get us through the games and I think our defense will play behind us. I think our bats will be big enough to win games.”
Powell is signed with San Jacinto College and is feeling positive about this season.
“I think we’ll have a better year than last year,” Powell said. “We are all pushing each other more and I think we’ll go further.”
Like Montemayor, senior infielder Aleena Carrizales returns for one last year with the Deer and will also play collegiately close to home at Texas Southern.
Camryn Plocheck, a Texas State signee, is just getting back into the swing of things after an injury during volleyball season. She was first-team All-District last year.
“Our defense and our bats (are this year’s strength),” Alvarado, a Temple Junior College recruit, said. “Pitchers have to be able to hold us down. Defense has to be able to be behind and we need to score some runs.”
Sophomore outfielder Kayla Barras returns after earning first-team All-District as a freshman. Also returning are juniors Mariah Ramirez (outfield) and shortstop Izzy Mendoza.
“Even though we are a year more seasoned, I still have a really young group of kids,” Vidal-Bush said. “I’m carrying six sophomores and one freshman. The majority of my team is still underclassmen.”
Deer Park hasn’t dropped a district game since the short-lived 2020 season. It has dropped just two district games in a decade and the program touts many district titles.
The path to the next one just got a little bit more challenging.
The Deer were moved during last February’s realignment. Out are Pasadena ISD and Channelview and in the new District 24-6A are the five Clear Creek ISD schools, Dickinson and Brazoswood.
“I think we’re very up for this challenge and we’re excited to be in a new district,” Montemayor said.
Brazoswood went 31-9 last year and undefeated in the old District 24-6A alignment. The Buccaneers reached the regional semifinals after defeating defending state champs Pearland in the quarterfinals. They were then swept by No. 1 Katy by three total runs in the fourth round.
Clear Springs won 22 games and reached the area round.
Vidal-Bush is hoping a more competitive district will help in a longer playoff run.
“It’s been a topic of conversation,” Vidal-Bush said. “We’re excited about that. I don’t think it can hurt anything at all. I only think it can make us better. Iron sharpens iron. I feel like it’s going to force us to stay engaged a little better. There could be some bumps in the road, theoretically. If there’s a night you don’t show up, you’re going to get beat.”
The Deer begin the season Tuesday with a non-district game at La Porte.
They then have the NFCA Tournament (Feb. 13-15), the Deer host the Haynie Spirit Tournament (Feb. 20-22) and are a host site for the Barbers Hill Tournament (Feb. 27-March 1).
Deer Park begins district play March 4 against Clear Falls.
Deer Park softball head coach Amy Vidal-Bush speaks to the team during a recent scrimmage. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
