CIBOLA’S JALYN MONTES TIES SINGLE SEASON HOME RUN RECORD
With two home runs against Volcano Vista on Friday, Cibola senior slugger Jalyn Montes tied the New Mexico record of 19 home runs in a single season. Val Swedberg of Cibola hit 19 in 2010 and Brianna Gallegos of Rio Rancho tied the record in 2019. The Cougars (17-5) have three more games left in the regular season, starting Tuesday at home against Cleveland.
The Cibola Cougars are under the leadership of Oscar Medrano this season, who took over the program after 17 years at Valley High School. “Sometimes it can be difficult when you have a transition and girls are used to a certain type of style,” explained Medrano. “Coming from Valley, this has been a new experience for me.”
The Cougars are led by senior Jalyn Montes who’s been playing the game for about nine years. It’s easy for her to pick her favorite part of the game. “I think hitting, mostly running the bases and hitting,” said Montes.
You don’t have to run much when the balls go over the fence. Jalyn is the current New Mexico leader in home runs this season. She says she changed her mindset at the plate for her final year of high school. “My mindset throughout the years has been ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t hit today or I went 1-3’, but this year I’m looking for this pitch or I already know what she’s going to throw,” explained Montes. “I’m just trying to be smarter because I know I have it, I’ve always had it ever since freshman year. It’s more about finding my pitch.”
“I’ve never seen any production like that from any kid I’ve ever coached,” said Medrano. “I’ve had girls that can hit or have some pop, but not on a consistent basis like her. When she makes contact, that ball is going. I’ve seen her hit some shots really far.”
“I’m mostly thinking line drives or situation hits, they (home runs) just kind of happen, so it’s really nice,” a smiling Montes said.
Jalyn says she did set one goal heading into this year. “Break the record, that was my whole goal,” she said. “I was working on it all off season with my hitting coach. I think I’m going to get really close (to the record). I’m really confident. I’ve gotten this far, I can’t stop now.”
The New Mexico single season record is 19 home runs. Jalyn has a couple more games left to try and break it before playing at Midland College in the fall.
*Albuquerque High’s Jazmyn Griego also has a chance to reach the single season home run mark. Griego has 18 home runs with four games left in the regular season.
photo courtesy Twitter
