BY BRYAN RAMOS | STAFF WRITER
RIO GRANDE CITY — A rattlesnake makes its presence known by creating a shaking sound with its tail, sending a warning to any would-be threat.
The Rattlers from Rio Grande City are a little bit different.
These Rattlers make their presence known by putting barrels on balls and sending pitches past opponents into the catcher’s mitt.
Rio Grande City (13-5-1, 4-0) is the last unbeaten team in District 31-5A play, arguably the Valley’s toughest. In their four district games, the Rattlers have 10-run ruled three opponents and tossed two no-hitters.
“This is the most energetic year we’ve had. High-energy, very talkative, playing hard, especially right now with the start that we’re in. It’s growing every week, so it’s real fun to watch us play,” Rattlers coach Rock Cortinas said. “Everything’s kind of clicking right now. It’s early. But things are working.”
While a lot has been working for the Rattlers early this season, their pitching has been on point. Returning starters Osvaldo Perez and Mikey Ramos have shut out three of their four district opponents, with Ramos pitching back to back no-hitters against Mission Veterans and PSJA Memorial.
“When I take the mound, my mentality is that no one is better than me at what I’m doing. So I know (the batter) is not going to get a hit off me, because I know I’m going to outwork and outplay him,” the sophomore Ramos said.
Perez is a four-year starter for the Rattlers, and while he says the team is enjoying itself, Rio is a problem for opponents.
“It’s awesome because it doesn’t matter who’s pitching — whether it’s me or Mikey — we know we can win any game against any team,” he said. “It’s been awesome because the team is really coming together and everyone is just pumped to play together.”
And they aren’t just getting it done on the mound.
Hitting has been an area of focus for Cortinas, who said it’s a weakness for Valley teams once they hit the playoffs. Osvaldo Perez has a team-high .412 batting average and 14 RBIs for the Rattlers, while leadoff man and sophomore Marc Perez leads the team with 21 runs and two homers on the year. He also has 15 stolen bases in 19 games.
“As a leadoff, for my team if I see the first pitch, I’m going to rip it. If it’s down the middle, I’m swinging,” Marc Perez said. “(From) 1-9, we’re pretty stacked, especially the three and four hitters (Osvaldo Perez and Emmanuel Garza), our big guys right there bring us in.”
While the Rattlers may be the last unbeaten team in 31-5A, they know the road ahead gets tougher.
With Sharyland High, Sharyland Pioneer and now Palmview thrown in the mix, the Rattlers and Cortinas see themselves battling it out for a district championship with the other heavy-hitters in 31-5A.
“We emphasized from day one at the beginning of the season that we have to get off to a good start and we’re 4-0, we got another series starting tomorrow that we’re hoping we can get another ‘W’ or two,” he said. “Going into those big series, it’s good to have that little cushion. So we got to make sure we take care of the teams we have to, then battle it out with those big monsters over there.”
Rio Grande City travels to Roma to take on the Gladiators in 31-5A action at 7 tonight.