Photos: San Benito softball opens 2022 season with back-to-back shutouts at Border Olympics

San Benito pitcher Amira Rodriguez was masterful on the mound against Laredo Nixon, striking out 10 and walking two in a five-inning no-hitter

LAREDO, Texas - San Benito is a perennial Texas high school softball powerhouse from the Rio Grande Valley where a strong tradition of excellence on the diamond never seems to graduate. 

The Lady Greyhounds quest for another deep playoff run started Thursday at the 20th annual Border Olympics softball tournament that features 22 teams from across South Texas.

“Anytime that we come to the Laredo tournament we always get great hospitality,” San Benito head coach Elias Martinez said. “It is run great; the competition is great. We played two games today and we had great competition in both games.”

The Lady Greyhounds opened the tournament with two shutouts, blanking Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Early College 9-0 and Laredo Nixon 10-0 in five innings.

San Benito pitcher Amira Rodriguez was masterful on the mound against Laredo Nixon, striking out 10 and walking two in a five-inning no-hitter.

“We are a young team this year, this is my first year back in San Benito, so we are still going through that transition phase,” Martinez said. “They are trying to understand my style of play, so we are taking baby steps right now, but we are getting better every day. Hopefully by the time district comes around we will be running on all cylinders, but we are getting better every day.”

San Benito banged out eight hits against Laredo Nixon - and did not surrender a single hit. Laredo Nixon had four costly errors in the field.

The Lady Greyhounds took an early lead as lead-off hitter Bethany Aguilar was hit by a pitch and eventually came around to score on a single by Elyssa Ruvio.

While Rodriguez kept the Laredo Nixon bats silent, San Benito’s offense alive in the second inning, scoring eight runs to take a 10-0 lead. Catcher Jozanna Montes opened the inning with a hard single to start the rally. Montes, Leila Lopez and Jenna Torres all went on to score, and San Benito capped the inning with back-to-back solo home runs from Alexa Vasquez and Montes.

The Border Olympics continues Friday as San Benito will play Martin at 11 a.m. at Zackry Field 2 before meeting Bishop at 5 p.m. at Benavides Field 1.

Laredo Nixon plays Edinburg North at 11 a.m. at Benavides Field 1 and then finishes the day with Zapata at 3 p.m. at Zackry Field 2.

San Benito vs. Laredo Nixon