By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Noe Solis and Jimmy Moody were at the top of their games all season.
With their prowess both offensively and defensively, the pair helped the Chargers win another 20 games this season and claim their second consecutive District 32-6A title. Brownsville Veterans has gone 25-3 in district play over the last two seasons.
For their outstanding seasons, Solis has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro Baseball Offensive Player of the Year and Moody was selected as the All-Metro Baseball Defensive Player of the Year.
Solis, a third baseman and a pitcher, batted .430 with 37 hits, including nine doubles, scored 10 runs and had 15 RBIs. He walked four times, struck out just twice and had a .462 on-base percentage and a .534 slugging percentage. On the mound, Solis went 4-4 with an ERA of 2.66 in 65 2/3 innings, allowed 28 runs (25 earned), walked 11 and struck out 49. He earned first-team district honors for his work on the hill during his final season.
“It feels good,” he said. “I’ve been working (on my game) my whole life … so it feels good.”
Solis said he spent many nights working in the batting cage to perfect his swing. He will continue his baseball career at Midland College, a National Junior College Athletic Association school, in Midland.
“I saw that he could hit any pitch,” Brownsville Veterans coach Eric Gonzalez said. “I wouldn’t consider him a bad ball hitter, but he would just put the ball in play. He played a big role on the team, he pitched really well, but he did well offensively too. He was so solid, I was blessed to have a hitter like that in the lineup because he was so consistent.”
Moody, a catcher, also earned honors as the defensive player of the year for the district. He converted 222 of 225 chances on the field for a .987 fielding percentage. The senior only threw out six runners this season because not many attempted to steal on him due to a strong arm and a reputation that preceded him over the past few years.
“It’s exciting, my defense has always been strong,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always focused on.”
When Gonzalez saw how good Moody was at calling pitches, he stepped aside.
“I could see he had a knack for it,” Gonzalez said. “He won that responsibility. If it’s rolling, why should I interfere? That’s why I stayed out of it. It was a blessing to have a catcher like that.”
Moody said Gonzalez helped him with the little things to become a better catcher. He will continue playing baseball at Coastal Bend College, also a NJCAA school, in Beeville.
Moody also hit .344 (.416 on-base percentage) with 31 hits, including seven doubles and three triples, scored five runs and had 17 RBIs. He walked 10 times and struck out nine times.
Gonzalez is sure that the pair is ready for the next level.
“I think (Noe) will do a good job in college,” he said. “His swing is short and compact. It should produce results.”
The same thing goes for Moody.
“Behind the scenes, he did a fantastic job,” Gonzalez said of his ability to call games for the pitchers. “He had to be mentally tough to be able to make the right calls. It will help in him in college too.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.