By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Falcons have rewritten the baseball record books this season, but they’re still telling themselves, “The job’s not done yet.”
Los Fresnos will face off with Round Rock High at 7 p.m. today at the Cabaniss Athletic Complex in Corpus Christi in a Region IV-6A semifinal. It’s the first trip to the Sweet 16 in program history. Falcons coach Rene Morales’ lucky streak winning flips continued, putting his team in what it feels is its best situation: a one-game playoff.
“It’s big because our confidence is up in that situation. We’ve played a one-game (playoff) before, so they know what’s at stake,” Morales said. “It was an awesome feeling for us (advancing to Round 4). That night we made everything happen and it was a great feeling for our kids, our community and everybody here that’s followed us.”
The Falcons (21-6-2) and Round Rock High Dragons (31-7-1) are among the six 6A teams yet to lose a playoff game. The Dragons have outscored playoff opponents 53-8 through six games. Los Fresnos knows it’s not an easy draw, but the Falcons are confident they can slay the Dragons and build on their memorable postseason run.
“It’s great, but we’re not satisfied yet,” senior center fielder Germain Castillo said. “Through all of it we’ve been the underdog. We feel like, even though we’re still the underdog, we can compete with this team, and we want to go out there and win. We’re just not scared. We go out there and play like it’s just another game. We don’t care how good the other team is. We’re going to go out, compete and not let them have an easy game.”
Castillo has been one of Los Fresnos’ most consistent bats through this playoff run and his entire career. He drove in the winning run during the regional quarterfinal game against Edinburg Vela. Castillo said the Falcons play with a lot of heart and work together as a team, and that was echoed by senior third baseman/pitcher Sidney Moore.
Moore stepped up to pitch the bulk of the innings through the season while Los Fresnos’ ace was out with an injury. He’s only had to pitch one playoff game, but he’s making sure to stay ready in case his number is called. Moore anchors the hot corner for a Falcons defense he feels is peaking at the right time.
Like Castillo, Moore said being an underdog doesn’t bother the Falcons. They feel they’re at their best with their backs against the wall.
“I think right now the defense is the best its been all season. We’ve made some pretty great plays,” Moore said. “I feel like every team we play is beatable. It’s baseball. The most talented team doesn’t always win. The team that executes the best wins. … This is definitely the most special team I’ve ever been a part of, and we’re not done yet.”
Senior southpaw Victor Loa, the Falcons’ ace, has gotten a little better every week in the postseason. He’ll have the ball in his hands in Los Fresnos’ biggest game yet, just like he has throughout his career. After tossing a one-hitter with 14 strikeouts to defeat Vela and push the Falcons to new heights, Loa feels ready to take on the Dragons with his trusty batterymate, senior catcher Jacob Sandoval.
“It’s just me and Jacob, that’s it. We call the game together. Tomorrow’s going to be another test for us, but if we do everything right, I think we’ll be in a good spot to win the game,” Loa said. “I feel like I’m getting slowly back to myself, and I think this is going to be one of the bigger tests that I’ve gone through all year. I feel like it’s going to be a real positive day for me.”
The Sweet 16 is a new experience for the Falcons, but they’re not overwhelmed with the moment. They want to keep advancing and win a state championship, and Loa believes the team has reached a point where that’s possible.
“We practiced hard all week. Like Coach Mo always says, ‘Let’s look forward to another Monday together,’ so that’s what we’re going to do,” Loa said. “We’re one complete unit and I finally feel like it’s clicked for us, and we can all steer the boat and take it to the destination we want to get to.”