By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Rio Hondo baseball coach Sergio Gonzalez has been making the trip to Round Rock to watch the University Interscholastic League state baseball tournament since his son, Cross Gonzalez, was nine months old.
After Sergio heads to the state tournament Thursday, he will return to Dell Diamond with his son as Cross competes in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star game, the first Rio Hondo Bobcats player to do so.
“It’s a blessing to be selected to both games,” Cross said. “The North/South game was a dream of mine, and when my dad sent me the email about my selection I was in awe and super amazed that I was going to play amongst the best in the state. Only three from the (Rio Grande) Valley got the chance, and I’m blessed to be one of those three.”
Cross and Weimar’s Zak Kuntz were named to the sub-5A South team roster at shortstop. Pitcher Jacob Rosales of Sharyland Pioneer and Edinburg Vela second baseman Ramsey Amador were named to the 5A/6A South team.
Gonzalez said Sharyland High coach Barton Bickerton has been an active advocate for the Baseball Coaches Association of the Rio Grande Valley, which is also hosting its annual All-Star game. That game will feature the Valley’s best seniors from the East and West.
Cross was selected but will not play in the BCARGV All-Star game because of a scheduling conflict with the THSBCA game. Rio Hondo teammates Danny Vasquez, Daniel Garza, Christian Garza and Josiah Ortega also were all-star selections. Others representing District 32-4A were La Feria’s Rolando Solis, Josh Ruedas and Elijah De Leon, and Port Isabel’s Daniel Martinez and Brett Martinez.
“The East/West game was one I was hoping to play only because I knew that it would’ve been my last chance to play a game with my dad,” Cross said. “Unfortunately it’s on the same day, but in Round Rock my dad will be able to walk out on the field and get introduced with me, so that’s still a great thing I’ll have one more time with my father.”
District 32-3A champion Lyford was represented by senior second baseman Ramsey Reyna. Noah Olivarez of San Perlita and Cris Rojas of Santa Rosa also were named to the East roster.
In the 5A/6A game, Harlingen South’s Nick Muniz and Armando Martinez (a University of Houston-Downtown commit) will play on behalf of the Hawks for the East, as will University of Texas Rio Grande Valley commit and San Benito pitcher Danny Dial.
Cross — the shortstop for the Bobcats and an Our Lady of the Lake University commit — posted a .433 batting average this season with 29 hits, 12 RBIs and a team-high .548 on-base percentage. He recorded a .932 fielding percentage in 147 total chances with six double plays.
On the mound, Cross went 3-3 in six starts. He registered a 3.13 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings.
For both father and son, the baseball festivities in the coming weeks will be bittersweet.
“We’re going to miss his smart play because he was like another coach on the field for us,” Gonzalez said. “He was our best all-around player and a big reason why we got into the playoffs this year. He was our team MVP, and it’s going to be hard to replace him.”
Cross earned the opportunity to live out his boyhood dream before beginning his college career, with his name appearing alongside some of the state’s top talent, like 2019 Kansas City Royals first-round draft pick Bobby Witt Jr. of Colleyville Heritage.
“It’s a little unreal but it’s happening,” Cross said. “And I couldn’t be any more excited.”