Atascocita’s Lombrana has happy return
Jenika Lombrana’s high school softball journey was long and circuitous — but the destination was divine.
The Texas A&M-International signee started out at Atascocita, spent her sophomore and junior seasons at Kingwood after moving in with her mom, then transferred back to Atascocita after Hurricane Harvey.
She also spent two years on sub-varsity and one as a varsity reliever at Kingwood before finally earning a starting spot as a senior.
Then she helped Atascocita win the school’s first state title in a team sport.
Lombrana went 22-4 with 182 strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA in 174 innings pitched, including the first 51⁄3innings of Atascocita’s 5-3 upset of New Braunfels Canyon in the Class 6A championship game in Austin.
“It was big having her come in because we weren’t expecting anything like that,” Atascocita coach Ashley Boyd said. “To add more depth to the pitching staff was awesome. She came in and just did her job.
“She battled through injury in the middle of the year and got herself healthy, and she kept us in ballgames, especially down the stretch, and gave us a chance to win.”
Q: What was it like going back to Atascocita?
A: “It was hard because I didn’t really know how the girls and the coaching staff at Atascocita were going to accept me, and there were a lot of waivers we had to go through. But once I got there, they welcomed me with open arms, and the work ethic was great, and everything fell into place.”
Q: What was your mindset going back? Did you feel like you could help them get to state?
A: “I knew there was a big possibility I could have a starting position at Atascocita, and I’m very competitive, so it was hard leaving Kingwood, because I have so many friends over there, but when we got on the field against Kingwood, and against everyone else, I got to bring that competitive side of me out and play well.”
Q: How ready were you to finally assume a bigger role?
A: “I was definitely ready. That’s what I’d wanted since I was a freshman, to be a varsity starter, and I finally got to do it my senior year.”
Q: How intense were those games against Kingwood?
A: “They were super intense. There’s a lot of emotion, a lot of passion, behind those games; the fans were loud, (and) the dugouts were loud. It was really fun.” Q: Did you have a good feeling about what your
team could do in the playoffs?
A: “I had a great feeling. The beginning of the season was a little rocky, but we finally found how our lineup fit perfectly midseason, and we started passing the bat and playing more as a team, so I felt real confident going into the playoffs.”
Q: What’s it like pitching in a state final at McCombs Field?
A: “It’s overwhelming. Ever since I was a freshman, I wanted to pitch on that field, and getting to do that, and not only pitch but win, was outstanding.”
Q: Were you worried at any point that the game wasn’t going to go your way?
A: “I was just trying to take it all in, really, but the whole game I felt good. I knew my team behind me was going to back me up, and I knew (pitcher) Makayla (Garza) was there to back me up, and Emery (Stanush), so I wasn’t really worried at all. I knew we were going to get the job done.”
Q: How did you decide on Texas A&M-International?
A: “On my visit, I felt really at home. It’s actually my dad’s hometown, so I have some family in Laredo. It was the place for me.”