MONTALVO MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF

When the 2024 softball season started opposing coaches knew where some of the danger could be found in the Booneville Lady Bearcat lineup.

After all, six of the positions in the opening day lineup were occupied by players from the state championship game starting lineup. A seventh was the flex starter in that game.

What they did not, could not have known really, was what to expect from a couple of freshmen and a sophomore.

With spring break almost upon us, that sophomore – Peighton Montalvo – has become well known.

Montalvo was hitting sixth in the order in Alma when she lined a triple in her first at bat of the season.

Then in the fifth spot in a game in Mena she had the only Lady Bearcat hit, an eighth inning single that scored the only run of the game.

Those are not isolated events . Primarily in the flex role, Montalvo is hitting .357 with 12 RBI and has started all 12 games.

Montalvo says it is difficult to select a favorite moment from this year but the first high school hit and the game winner are easily the top two.

What has been the difference?

“Volleyball helped a lot,” said Montalvo. “With the weight lifting and getting in shape. In practices I started hitting it over the fence.”

Her experience in volleyball, it should be noted, actually began last summer, when she was not playing softball, both occurring for the first time.

“I didn’t get to play league last year because we were so busy. My mom was in college and I wouldn’t have had a ride, but now that I can drive, I’m starting to do league again.”

As well as volleyball.

She has hit as high as third but has settled into the fifth spot in the order. That means Montalvo is in a role in which she is required to be a threat, in order to dictate cleanup hitter Lexi Franklin actually sees pitches.

“Peighton is a hard-working kid that has come a long way from her freshman year,” said Lady Bearcat head coach Chad Simpson. “She has stepped into a big role in the lineup and has produced some big his for us already this year.”

“It does (have pressure) a little bit,” said Montalvo. “I try to remember that I have hit off of them before.”

As the flex hitting is the focus, but Montalvo has played some in right field and at first base while teammates had other obligations.

All of this from a player who got zero starts and only two varsity at bats last year. It was one of those where Montalvo says she cost herself.

“Last year was a little bit of a downfall. I used to be able to really hit it to the fence,” she said. “I did get one chance, but I blew that opportunity. I struck out looking,” said Montalvo.

The oldest in her household – there is an older half-sibling – Montalvo is also the only female in the home of junior high athletes Callen and Cam, who are involved in football, basketball, baseball, and track.

“I like it,” she says of being in a sports family. “I’ve played softball since I was little.”

As a student, the daughter of Lindsey Marshall and Bill Montalvo, Peighton Montalvo is used to the accolades she is now getting on the diamond, despite a schedule that includes English, history, honors biology, geometry and choir, for all of which he is maintaining an A.

And athletics, of course.

Montalvo and the Lady Bearcats are scheduled to visit Paris tomorrow and return to action after spring break with a game against Lamar at the Billy Kiersey Complex on March 25.