TAFT, Texas – A South Texas high school softball coach and her mother were arrested after allegedly assaulting an opposing player and her mom, according to affidavits obtained by KSAT.
The incident happened on April 15 during a district softball championship game between Taft High School and Mathis High School in Taft.
According to an affidavit, an altercation began in the fifth inning after a Mathis softball player used explicit language toward a Taft softball player.
The Mathis softball player reportedly told the opposing player: “You ain’t s*it b**ch, get the f**k out of here before I beat your a**,” the affidavit said.
The Taft player reacted by shoving the Mathis player, prompting coaches and players from both teams to intervene and separate them.
At some point, things escalated when Mathis softball coach Briana Cruz “ran directly” at the Taft player and tackled her, the affidavit said.
The opposing coach removed Cruz from the player.
Cruz was later arrested for assault causing bodily injury, according to the affidavit.
‘Punching her head repeatedly’
Another altercation occurred in the bleachers between Cruz’s mother, identified as Beverly Deleon, and the mother of the Taft player whom Cruz allegedly assaulted.
According to another affidavit obtained by KSAT, the Taft player’s mother was yelling at Cruz for tackling her daughter. Deleon approached her and began to punch her in the head repeatedly, police said.
Bystanders and the opposing head coach of Taft High School separated the two women.
Deleon was later arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury, the affidavit states.
According to KRIS 6 News, Cruz posted a $3,500 bond three days after her initial arrest on April 15.
It’s unknown if Deleon has posted bond.
