Page 16 - MidValleyTimes 7-4-19 E-edition

Mike Nemeth / Mid Valley Times
Vanessa Hernandez, former Sanger High standout now playing for Fresno State, demonstrated proper grip on the softball for making an infield throw during a softball clinic at Sanger High School.
Mike Nemeth / Mid Valley Times
Julianna Martinez, a Clovis West High graduate and Fresno State player, showed the proper way to grip the bat for bunting during the softball clinic.
Mike Nemeth / Mid Valley Times
Julianna Martinez, a teammate of Vanessa Hernandez at Fresno State, helped a camper with technique on her swing follow-through during the softball clinic at Sanger High School.
advice and acted on it. Without fail.
In fact, every time Her- nandez, Martinez or Raley said something, their students responded immediately. They did what they were told and saw immediate return. When a girl swung low during bat- ting practice, she was told to make a slight adjustment. And she did, hitting the next seven pitches perfectly.
And so it went.
A bunch of the girls want- ed to learn how to be a short- stop. So in her mini clinic, Her- nandez showed them how. And it wasn’t easy. Ground balls are unpredictable. And they have to be recovered and thrown. Fast.
“Keep your head low,” Hernandez said. “We want to stay on our toes. I want your head almost to the ground.”
She kept it positive. “Nice,” she said. “Atta girl. There you go. Ready? Perfect. Push through, push through. That’s a good job right there.”
In batting practice, Marti- nez explained exactly how the bat should be held and swung for maximum results. “We’re punching some one,” she said, explaining the movement.
It seemed to work. The girls figured it out.
Raley did the same on the girls junior varsity field. She had her girls in a circle. All eyes focused on what she did.
Jasmin Ramirez, 14, drank it in. She lives in Parlier. She said she knew Raley. “I’ve seen her on TV,” Ramirez said. “I watch a lot of softball.”
She said she hopes to play college ball.
Xitlali Flores, 10, and Ad- rina Penaloza, 9, practiced hit- ting the ball off a tee. Both hit hard. Both also said they hit home runs this season.
Xitlali said she technically got a home run but missed one of the bases and had to double back and touch it. She said she still gets nervous when her turn comes up on the rotation. “Every time I’m on the plate, I’m still scared,” she said. “But I swing the bat.”
Adrina said she plans to have more home runs.
Then the two returned to practicing and critiquing each other. They even giggled occa- sionally.
Maykaila Spidell, 14 of Fowler, said she plans to play varsity and hit home runs. She belted the balls pitched her way. “I played when I was little,” she said. “Watching my older brother play baseball in- spired me to play.”
Her preferred position was catcher.
Vince said both his daugh- ters want to play for Fresno State. Priscilla, 8, got to throw the first pitch for one of the home games. And she said she wants to be a pitcher. Olivia, 9, said she wants to play second base.
Sophia Torres, 12, did a pinky swear with Hernandez. “She was making a joke,” So- phia said, explaining that the two predicted different out- comes.
Sophia apparently was right.
Earlier that evening, be- fore the clinic, Hernandez said she knows she can improve her play as a Bulldog. “It’s the first year,” she said. “I got to travel a lot. Went to Hawaii, Colora- do, Utah, Vegas. All those fun places.” The season wrapped up with a game against Loyola Marymount on May 17. Fresno State had a 37-20 record and was 23-5 at home.
“Next year I hope to hit better, move up in the lineup, get stronger,” she said.
And her girls will be watching.
The reporter can be contact- ed at nemethfeatures@gmail.com or by phone at (559) 875-2511.
FULL MEAT COUNTER
FRESH PRODUCE
Die3smillo $ 59
Seedless Watermelon
Mexican Green Onions
4/$ White
3/ ¢
Pierna de Pollo
Lb.
Mayonnais3
Lb.
26/30
FOR Melon Cantaloupe ....LBS
Peppers
59¢
Bistec de Puerc1o Adovada
$ 99
Lb.
Best Foods
Camaron Me4diano
3/99¢ Franko 2/$1 Yellow Onions.................. LBS
Lb.
Lb.
Ea.
$ 99 80 Ct., Yellow & White $199
15
30 Oz.
13.65 Oz.
32 Oz. FOR
Guerrero Riquisimas Corn Tortillas ..
24 Ct. 2/$5 Guerrero Riquisimas Flour Tortillas.. FOR
All Flavors, 20 Pack $599
1 $ 99
4 Lb. $2150 C&H Sugar ....................
6 Oz. $ 89 Lindsay Black Olives .....
5 Oz. ¢
D’Gari Gelatin Dessert .
Pepsi Cola ....................
+CRV
99
Costilla de 1Puerco
$ 99
Molida d2e Res
$ 89
Lb.
Queso Fresco Oax2aqueno
$ 39
1 3/99¢ Jalapeño
99 2/$1
LBS
e
e
Tomato Cocktail
Thursday, July 4, 2019 |
B2 | Mid Valley TiMes
$ 99 Lb.
99
99
Cilantro.....................FOR GROCERIES
White Coconuts............ Clamato
BBQ Sauc1
$ 99 Fresa y Piña, 18.06 Oz. $250
Marinela Barritas .........
1 Liter $499
1-2-3 Vegetable Oil ........
3 Lb.
Crisco All-Vegetable Shortening ....
All Varieties, 18 Oz.
$ 69 2/$
5 Oz. 919¢ Star-Kist Tuna ..............
26 Oz. $ 39 LaCosteña Whole Jalapeños.....
12 Pack, 2.5 Oz. $399 Nissin Cup Noodles ......
Kraft
La Lachera Sweetened Condensed Milk
CLINIC ContinuedfromB1
TAQUERIA
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER Tacos • Burritos • Tortas • Quesadillas
OPEN 7 Days A Week 8am - 8pm 1060 Manning Ave • (559) 726-2063
WE ACCEPT EBT & WIC RIA – Pay Utilities • Play Lottery
Saturday & Sunday MENUDO • POLLO EN LA PARILLA
2 WEEK SALE July 3 – July 16
3/
¢¢
LBS
Corn
FOR
03841