By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Baseball season is in full swing today as teams across the state begin playing games that will count in the win-loss column.
Several East Valley teams return quality starters from successful 2019 campaigns and will be worth watching as the season rolls on.
Los Fresnos is coming off a regional quarterfinal appearance and has expectations to take back the top spot in District 32-6A. Junior southpaw Victor Loa was one of the best statistical pitchers in Texas last year with 135 strikeouts and a 0.94 ERA and will headline a strong group of pitchers looking to lead the Falcons back to the playoffs. Junior Germain Castillo is an arm coach Rene Morales will rely on to help maintain Loa’s workload.
Morales said the Falcons are working to find more consistent offense, but junior Jacob Sandoval and senior Carlos Perez are two promising hitters along with Loa and Castillo.
“We’re getting some great kids out here who believe in what we’re doing, and it makes a big difference to have kids like that,” Morales said. “Our chemistry is good. They know each other well, so they’ll call each other out if things aren’t going right. They respond to each other and feed off each other.”
The Harlingen South Hawks will be challenging the Falcons for the district title. South returns nine starters and is anchored by a group of seniors who have helped coach Chris Gracia establish the culture in the clubhouse.
Luke Castellanos and CJ Grimaldo are two veteran leaders who can contribute quality innings on the mound. Castellanos was South’s closer last season and tabbed a 0.58 ERA behind his ability to work out of jams. He’ll play the same role this year and as a captain will look to lead South to success in his final season.
“I have a lot of faith and trust in my defense to help me out,” Castellanos said. “Our pitching depth’s looking good this year, we can all go out and throw strikes.”
Gracia agreed the pitching is solid, but he is really excited about South’s strong lineup. The Hawks outscored opponents 41-10 through three scrimmages, putting up double-digit runs in each contest. Grimaldo and sophomore Chase Roberts are productive bats who get on base often and will help the Hawks’ offense stay hot.
“I’m excited and we’re ready to go,” Gracia said. “The kids have worked really hard, they’ve busted their tails in the weight room, we got a lot stronger this offseason and I’m ready to see that turn into success on the field.”
In 32-5A, the reigning district champion Brownsville Veterans Memorial has the potential to repeat the feat this season. New coach Adam Vera is establishing a detail-oriented style of play and will lean on four quality returning starters to set the tone.
“I’ve been blessed with a great group of guys my first year, they want to be successful and they show up to work,” Vera said. “We’re going to execute on the little things. We’re going to run the bases well, hit behind runners and have productive at-bats. Just play hard and be united, and I think we can do good things.”
Seniors Cristian Holloway and Jorge Lozano will anchor the offense and pitching for the Chargers. Holloway was a force at the plate last season, hitting .489 with 22 RBIs. Lozano notched a perfect record behind a 0.76 ERA and will be an important piece of the rotation.
Vera called junior Javier Hinojosa the “ultimate utility player” and expects him to contribute all over the field, and said junior catcher Heriberto Maldonado is a leader and big part of the offense.
The Lyford Bulldogs will be a strong sub-5A squad. With six starters returning from a team that clinched Lyford’s first playoff win since 1994 last season, the Bulldogs could run away with the 32-3A title again.
First-year coach Jose Rocha takes over his alma mater’s program and has standout senior Abel Gonzalez to help set the tone. Gonzalez’s powerful frame will help him be a force at the plate and on the mound this season, after notching a .596 average and striking out 89 in 2019.
Brownsville Lopez, Harlingen High and Raymondville are sleeper teams that could make waves in their respective districts this season, too.