Softball player of the year: Zoey Sifuentes steps up for Lamesa

LAMESA — It wasn't an ideal start to the season for Zoey Sifuentes.

The Lamesa shortstop injured her hamstring in the first scrimmage, leaving her sidelined for the opening weeks of her junior campaign.

To put it bluntly, "it sucked," Sifuentes said. But the time in the dugout didn't go to waste.

Before more of a "lead by example" type, Sifuentes accepted her coach's challenge. The Golden Tornadoes star made an effort to provide her voice, too, as part of her leadership style, even when she couldn't take the field.

The development came at a perfect time for a Lamesa team plugging in underclassmen at crucial positions. That once was Sifuentes' role, and she leaned on the experience two years ago to pay it forward.

Returning to the lineup was a significant contribution, as well.

Sifuentes mashed like no other in the South Plains in 2024, and her defense wasn't far behind. The veteran slugger put together a season more than worthy of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal softball player of the year.

"She was huge," Lamesa coach Vanessa Hernandez said, "offensively, defensively, but most importantly, her 'never quit.' The 'never quit' was contagious, and it helped our team to follow suit. … She was kind of our batting coach as well that would give tweaks and suggestions to others in the lineup. They all know that she's got their best in mind and she's going to try to do what's best for them, what's best for the team.

"So, she's kind of our other side coach."

Sifuentes even has the nickname to prove it: "Coach Papi."

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Underclassmen lovingly used the moniker when thanking Sifuentes, a staple at shortstop for the Golden Tors since 2022. After all, there's no better player to offer advice.

Sifuentes finished with a .625 batting average and slugged 1.53. She totaled 18 home runs and 32 RBI. Sifuentes' fielding percentage was .964 with two errors on the season.

When she speaks, teammates listen.

"I would give them information, following up," Sifuentes said, "because I know what it feels like, especially if you don't do your best. I know it's going to be OK at the end of the day. … I just always try to talk, no matter what the situation was. If we needed time, I would try to call (for) time and talk to everybody who needed to be talked to."

It was a bit of a change for Sifuentes, who described herself as talkative. But it was necessary, especially with the graduation of the pitcher-catcher combo that helped Lamesa to the region final in 2023.

"She stepped in and was the team player and the team leader," Hernandez said. "… Her mindset was I'm going to do what I can for this team, with whatever it takes."

Despite surpassing 50 career home runs, Sifuentes said she's not always swinging for the fences. She just wants to hit it hard, and that she does. Her prowess is known throughout the region, which leads to strategic pitching approaches.

"It is kind of frustrating at times because I just want to hit," Sifuentes said. "I understand from them, too. They don't want to pitch to me, that's OK, I'd probably do the same thing too. I'd say it also feels good knowing they think that I'm a good hitter. It kind of boosts me up."

The Golden Tors reached the third round for a third consecutive year, and the team has one more go with Sifuentes. After committing to Angelo State, she will be able to play freely with a goal to finish the season "happy."

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Then it's on to following Hernandez's route. Sifuentes, too, hopes to go from playing at ASU to coaching. She already has prior experience.

"I'm just gonna give it my all my last season," Sifuentes said. "It's upsetting, because I'm not ready to leave Lamesa. But there's other opportunities after high school."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Softball player of the year: Zoey Sifuentes steps up for Lamesa