Out of many high school softball teams across Houston, Deer Park is a team that might be the most battle-tested when the playoffs begin in about three weeks.
Mindful that the Deer haven’t clinched a playoff spot yet, they enter this week alone in first place in District 24-6A with six games left to play.
Last week, the Deer (17-5, 7-1) were challenged in both games as they rallied for six runs in the top of the eighth to separate from and beat Dickinson 7-2 on Tuesday. Three nights later, Deer Park wiggled out of a seventh inning jam against Clear Falls for a 4-1 win and took a season series sweep of the Knights.
This week, the Deer travel to second-place Clear Creek (12-3, 6-2) Tuesday night before hosting Clear Brook (2-12, 0-7) Friday night at Doll Field.
Journey Calderon was the big run producer last week as he had four RBIs and doubled against Clear Falls. Izzy Mendoza produced two RBIs against Dickinson while Mia Montemayor also produced two RBIs, but against Clear Falls.
Montemayor caught the potent one-two punch of senior Madi Alvarado, who pitched an eight-inning complete-game against Dickinson while junior Braelynn Jones secured the complete-game against Clear Falls as she stranded the bases loaded in the seventh.
Alvarado struck out six, didn’t allow a walk and the two runs were unearned against the Gators. Jones struck out 11 and her run allowed was unearned as well. She walked six and gave up two hits.
Deer Park, ranked No. 24 in Class 6A last week by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, carries a three-game winning streak into this week and has won 12 of 13 dating back to Feb. 27.
Back on March 7, Deer Park edged Clear Creek 5-4. Camryn Plocheck had half of the Deer’s four RBIs while Mariah Ramirez led with hits. Kayla Barras and Montemayor had two hits. Jones went seven innings that night with four strikeouts, four walks, six hits allowed and two earned runs.
Last time out against Clear Brook on March 11, the Deer had one of their most prolific offensive performances in program history with a 24-7 win. Montemayor homered, doubled and drove in four runs. Calderon, who doubled and tripled, led with five RBIs while Caitlyn Wade, who doubled and tripled, had four RBIs. Jones and Alvarado combined on six hits and six strikeouts in the five-inning game.
Deer Park senior Zoie Powell (13) tags out a Clear Falls runner in last week’s game. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
