BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

CORPUS CHRISTI — Sharyland High would not be stopped in the Class 5A Regional Semifinal.

Not by Kerrville Tivy’s best hitting or best pitching, not even by the Rattlers’ own self-inflicted wounds that cost them Game 1 on Thursday and left important runs on the base paths in Game 3.

When the dust settled at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi on Saturday evening, nothing mattered but the final score: Sharyland 4. Tivy 3, in extra innings.

Senior Juan Lopez doubled and scored what would be the game-winning run in the eighth, while freshman Victor Sanchez came through for the win in relief during his first real opportunity at the varsity level.

“They were a tough team to beat, they make plays. We had to fight as a team, keep pushing our limits further and further,” Lopez said. “It felt great knowing that that hit (in the eighth) was closer to a run. I believed in my teammates. I got on base and I knew they would get me in.”

Randy Garcia did just that with an RBI in the next at-bat. That gave the Rattlers the lead but they still needed three outs in the bottom half to advance.

Chase Gerlach started the inning with six balls. Shary coach Barton Bickerton called lefty Sanchez’s No. 54 to clean up and win.

Sanchez started his night with a 2-0 count and a runner on base but his strikeout of that same batter set the tone for the final two outs.

Jesus Alacron started Game 3 after earning the save in Sharyland’s convincing, 7-3, Game 2 victory. He threw 92 pitches after throwing 14 in the middle match.

“The guys that threw today don’t even throw,” Bickerton said. “To come out in the regional semis and do what they did is just unbelievable.”

Diego Pena had an RBI single to bring home Garcia, who hit a double, in the first inning. The 2-0 lead came on a passed ball. The Rattlers should have made the game 3-0 but Martin Vazquez stepped off of third too early on a potential sacrifice fly, the appeal yielded an out.

“We talked last night about us not coming through in certain situations and it killed us,” Bickerton said. “We did the same thing today. To be able to overcome those huge mistakes against a team that was just unbelievable, we just couldn’t put them away. It shows a lot about our kids.”

Tivy fought back with a two-run RBI single by Brady Delgado. Sharyland took another lead in the fifth at 3-2 thanks to an errant throw, following a great stop, by the Antlers’ shortstop.

That advantage only lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Coleson Abel hit an RBI triple, but was stranded at third base.

Gerlach was the center of the action multiple times in Game 3. First, he made a leaping grab at the wall in right field to rob Braden Jaeger, who hit a long home run in Game 2, of an extra-base hit.

“Going into pitch today I was struggling to find the strike zone … in the eighth I couldn’t throw a strike to save my life and it got me moved into the outfield,” Gerlach said. “I remember thinking in my head ‘God, why’d you do this to me? I’m was supposed to end the season for these guys, seniors are relying on me.’”

Things came full circle when the final out of the game was hit to right field, and he made a sprinting catch to end the game.

“I just remember thinking ‘Oh, this is what you put me here for,’” Gerlach said.

He was also the pitcher to relieve Alacron before he was switched for Sanchez.

Sharyland forced a third and final game thanks to a trio of two-run innings. Just four pitches into the game Shary had two hits and two runs, with the big blast coming off the bat of Abraham Alvarez who parked the ball in the left-field bleachers. Pena and Vazquez had two-RBI hits and Abraham Alvarez added a sac fly.

Shary pitcher Ivan Alvarez was strong in the Game 2 win.

“It feels so good I don’t have words to explain myself,” Abraham Alvarez said. “I just love my team, we have to keep it up.”

The win in Corpus, combined with Sharyland Pioneer’s 2-1 series win over Boerne Champion sets up the improbable all Sharyland ISD fifth-round matchup with the winning advancing to state.

Bickerton said his former assistant and Pioneer bench boss, Casey Smith, predicted this game back in district play.

“You know what, he said it the first time we played,” Bickerton said “They beat us and then we beat them at our place and he said ‘I’ll see you at the regional finals’ I just blew it off.”

Smith repeated the statement before the postseason. Despite a tough road, including matchups against perennial powerhouse Corpus programs and tough in-district opposition, Smith was right all along.

“It just proves that we’re the whole district in the whole state of Texas to tell you the truth and there’s no doubt about,” Bickerton said. “There’s a Sharyland team going to state no matter what, so it’s going to be unbelievable.”

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BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela senior Noah Sekinger isn’t done playing hoops. He isn’t done making post moves or making connections through his sport.

On Thursday afternoon inside the Vela library, Sekinger signed his letter of intent to play basketball for Div. III Texas Lutheran University.

During his senior season, which earned him The Monitor All-Area Player of the Year, Sekinger did not know what his college experience would include. As a top-10 percent student, he knew education was paramount. Now he gets to enjoy both.

“It’s good to do both because I love basketball. I’m always going to love basketball,” Sekinger said. “I wanted to further my athletic career but I wasn’t sure where I was going to end up or if I would end up anywhere. Luckily, I was blessed with this opportunity. The amount this day means to me and my family goes without saying. All the hard times, the practices they took me to…”

The library had standing-room only as peers and supporters attended the signing to congratulate the four-year letterman. The packed house with teammates, former and current coaches, was more validation for Noah and the connections basketball built in his life.

“Basketball has been a great tool for me to make so many connections and just grow and invest in all these different relationships with people,” Sekinger said. “It paved different pathways … made all these memories. Like I said in my speech, at the end of the day that’s all you have really … the imprint you make on people.”

Noah and his mother Amber both expanded on the relationships around the sport.

“For me, it’s a special moment because it shows when you put your focus into something and really want something bad enough and you work hard enough for something, you can accomplish both. It doesn’t have to be one or the other,” Amber Sekinger said. “He’s got a 4.0 and he’s graduating in the top-10 percent in his class. It’s a huge moment to know that he’s able to manage all that and play, to do the thing he loves the most.”

Lucio Rodriguez, who coached him in his final years at Vela, said the signing was just the tip of the iceberg on what he’s meant to the school.

‘It just puts the icing on the cake, a well-deserving young man for all his accomplishments,” Rodriguez said. “To see him get the opportunity to play at the next level is very gratifying, not only to him but myself as well.”

Rodriguez went on to say Sekinger is the bar he hopes his athletes will reach for.

“He set the standard for what Vela basketball players should aim to be,” Rodriguez said. “He set it pretty high. Not just at the athletic level but at the academic level, and more importantly on a personal level.”

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BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Change is in the air at McAllen High. The changes are program-wide and spread beyond the annual heat that traditionally comes with the end of spring football and the end of another school year.

To guide that process, rookie head coach Patrick Shelby is in the trenches with the Bulldogs to put his imprint on the program he took over in January before the athletes and coaches disperse for the summer.

If one wants excitement about the program, search no further than soon-to-be senior Julian Lopez. The offensive lineman will be back for his second varsity season, and with only a few days of spring ball left, he was in high spirits.

“Everything’s new. Everybody likes new things,” Lopez said. “(We) can’t wait to get back to this new season. It’s going to be great. We’re learning new things — new plays, new everything. It’s going to be a good season for everybody.”

After missing the playoffs the past two of the last three years, McHi opted for a change in leadership after watching its offense struggle in 2018.

“If you’re afraid of change, then you’re really not going to change,” Lopez said. “It’s better to change because you’re evolving with everybody else. You don’t wanna stay down there, not going anywhere. You want to move forward.”

The Bulldogs went 2-8 last season. But the roster looks different now, with new and familiar faces wearing pads.

WHAT’S REALLY NEW?

Aaron Nixon, a baseball standout, is back for another football season after opting to forego his junior year. The last time he played football, as a sophomore, his connection with receiver Gunnar Henderson, and reliable carries by rusher Roy Gutierrez, were enough to get the team into the 2017 playoffs.

To muster more than the paltry 784 rushing and 695 passing yardage totals from a year ago, the Bulldogs will need more than just Nixon under center. It will also need a supporting cast.

Luckily for McHi, that seems to be forming around him. Octavian Lewis, who dealt with injuries last season, was one of many McHi tailbacks that missed time with injury. Lewis is an option in the backfield or in the slot, along with returners like Felipe Magana and Aldo Morin. Running back Troy Martinez will have a chance to play after missing last season with a broken ankle.

Elijah West and Caleb Killian are also notable baseball standouts that will be additions to the football roster in the fall.

The biggest change still is on the sidelines. Shelby comes from Weslaco High and brings with him former Weslaco colleague, defensive coordinator Ernie Alonzo.

“It was real good to see the kids,” Shelby said. “They give great energy. They’re enthusiastic about what they’re doing. You can tell they love being around their teammates, and you’re starting to see that come full circle with the team.”

Not everything has changed at McHi. While Alonzo and company plan to implement an attack-first mentality, especially on defense, they will still have a strong group that specializes in limiting teams.

Even through their recent struggles, a formidable defense has been a staple of the program.

And even though the point total against the Bulldogs last year was higher than they would have liked (287), the number inflated due to McHi’s inability to hang onto the ball or even give the defense long enough breaks on the sideline.

Linebacker Trace Gagne is back for his third varsity season. Gagne, along with David Chiquito and Jackson Helmcamp, will enter 2019 as seniors determined to succeed.

“We’ve been out there every day in the weight room, and here on the field we’ve been pushing ourselves,” Gagne said. “We’ve been doing agility drills. We’re just motivating each other to get better.”

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Sharyland High’s Jimmy Lee has been widely regarded as the best golfer in South Texas for the past two years, maybe longer.

Now he’s tops in the state.

Lee fired a 4-under-par 68 at White Wing Golf Course in Georgetown on Tuesday to finish 7-under over two days and capture the UIL Class 5A state golf championship by four strokes over his nearest competitor. He finished with a 69-68 (137).

Heading into the Tuesday’s second round, Lee was tied with Turner Hosch of Highland Park Blue at 3-under.

Lee shot a pair of 34s on both the front and back nine. He carded four birdies on the front nine and three on the back. He also had a bogey on the par-3 No. 16 and a double bogey on the par-3 No. 3.

Lee won the Region IV-5A championship for the past two years, most recently last month at Palm View Golf Course in McAllen.

Kevin Watts from Colleyville Heritage shot a 1-under on Tuesday to finish 3-under, four strokes behind Lee and in second place. Jake Holbrook of Granbury High shot 2-under and finished third.

Sharyland Pioneer’s LJ Chavez, like Lee, also advanced to the tournament as an individual golfer and shot a pair of 77s over the two-day event for a 154 total, tied for 33rd out of 72 golfers.

Only Lee and Watts shot rounds under par for each round and only Lee penciled in a pair of sub-70 rounds.

Valley HS softball schedule

Thursday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

Austin High 10, Edinburg Vela 0, 6 innings

Friday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

Austin High 5, Edinburg Vela 1. Austin High wins series 2-0

New Braunfels Canyon 8, Harlingen South 0

Class 4A

Rio Hondo 5, Fredricksburg 2

Saturday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

New Braunfels Canyon 15, Harlingen South 1. Canyon wins series 2-0

Class 4A

Fredricksburg 11, Rio Hondo 0, game 2, 5 innings.

Fredricksburg 4, Rio Hondo 2. Fredricksburg wins series 2-1

Valley HS softball schedule

Thursday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

Austin High 10, Edinburg Vela 0, 6 innings

Friday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

Austin High 5, Edinburg Vela 1. Austin High advances

New Braunfels Canyon 8, Harlingen South 0

Class 4A

Rio Hondo 5, Fredricksburg 2

Saturday’s Games

Regional Semifinals

Class 6A

Harlingen South vs. New Braunfels Canyon at Tuloso-Midway, Game 2, 5 p.m. (Game 3, if necessary, to follow)

Class 4A

Rio Hondo vs. Fredricksburg at Beeville Jones, Game 2, 3 p.m. (Game 3, if necessary, to follow)

CORPUS CHRISTI — The Edinburg Vela SaberCats had a steep uphill battle going into Friday’s second playoff game against Austin High in as many days. Vela needed to win two games, but before thinking about a Game 3, it needed to solve Colorado State commit Danielle Serna.

Instead, Austin High used the same script from Thursday night, with fewer runs, to down Edinburg Vela 5-1 in the Class 6A regional semifinals at Cabaniss Field on Friday night.

Serna struck out 14, one more than in Game 1, to send the Maroons into the regional final with a 2-0 sweep of the series.

The SaberCats’ lone run was scored by senior Julia Cordon, who was one of the few batters able to get on base off Serna. She scored after head’s-up base running when Monee Montilla’s single fell between a group of fielders just out of the infield. That made the game 4-1 during the fourth inning.

“Going through the sports, I just learned so many things. Everyone had such a big impact on me,” Cordon, a three-sport athlete, said. “Not just the coaches, but the players. I’ve built so many great bonds with the girls. That’s what keeps me going. Everything we all put into it really changes it, puts the memories in it. That’s what makes it golden.”

She will continue her softball career at the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She is one of eight Vela seniors who will graduate following back-to-back regional semifinal appearances.

“We weren’t always on the same travel teams, but we always knew each other and we were always good friends. Then we came to Vela freshman year and we were on the same team, we were all the same age. It’s always fun to have those friends that are close by, knowing they’re always there.”

Third-year coach Jon Maples will say goodbye to the class that was just coming into its own when he was a rookie coach at the school.

“When I got here, there were a lot of headaches. A lot of stuff had to be taken care of. Not a lot of people wanted the job at Vela. It came with a lot of baggage,” Maples said. “Fortunately, I got an opportunity to put my footprints on it. I give all the credit to the girls who went through this program.”

Cordon added a running catch that brought the traveling fans to their feet to salute the effort. Catcher Darissa Buenrostro made a similar sell-out catch behind the plate in foul territory to retire a batter.

Vela fell behind early when Austin’s Jayda Lafluer continued her torrid hitting in the series. She recorded her fifth and sixth RBIs of the series on a bases-loaded double. On Thursday, she ended the game with a grand slam.

“She’s a go-getter,” Austin coach Kristen Lozano said. “She’s a sophomore. She’s learned to have more confidence by being more patient. She does have a powerful stick.”

The Maroons added a sacrifice groundout for a 3-0 lead after half an inning. Lexie Aleman drove in the next two runs for the Maroons with, a standup triple in the second and solo home run during the sixth.

Austin advances to its first regional final after winning in its first Sweet 16 appearance.

As for the SaberCats, they will return a big sophomore class that contributed all over the field. Brianna Salinas started Game 1, while Karina Guzman pitched Friday. They return next season as juniors.

“I know this program will be in good hands. Our pitchers, they’re both underclassmen and they hold our team up,” Cordon said. “We need them to play our game. I know next year with the other girls that are being brought up they’ll be able to bond. Hopefully, whatever we’ve taught them they’ll pass on to the underclassmen and they’ll go from there.”

BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

CORPUS CHRISTI — For 3 1/2 innings, the Edinburg Vela SaberCats and Austin High Maroons were locked in a well-pitched, tight regional semifinal softball game Thursday at Cabaniss Field.

Both starters — Vela’s Brianna Salinas and Austin senior Danielle Serna — were rolling. During the fourth and fifth innings, however, the Maroons showed their ability to strike quick and that made all the difference in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

Austin won 10-0 in six innings, and Vela will be tasked with winning back-to-back games tonight to keep its season alive.

“It was one of those things where the first four innings we had opportunities, we had runners on every inning,” Vela coach Jon Maples said. “We had opportunities to crack the board and get the first run and see what would’ve happened.”

The SaberCats had a chance to grab the lead during the third inning when senior Julia Cordon smashed a pitch off of Serna and over the head of the left fielder. She stood up with a leadoff double and stole third with smart baserunning.

That’s when Serna found another level of play in the circle. She struck on the side to retire the threat and the Maroons never looked back.

Serna, a Colorado State commit, struck out 13 in the win.

“They’re a top team. They have a dominant pitcher,” Maples said. “It only takes a run or two, that’s it. She got in a rhythm, there’s a reason she’s going to Colorado State and that’s why they’re in the NCAA tournament with a really good pitcher coming their way.”

The District 26-5A champs finally got to Salinas and the SaberCats’ defense in the fourth inning. They entered the inning with only one hit but batted around and scored six runs.

Alyssa Ibarra started Austin’s fourth with a single, which was followed up with a double before Angel Ojeda and Karina Serna recorded RBIs. Serna and Lexie Aleman walked and eventually scored. The back-breaking hit was a two-out double by Natalie Guerrero that scored three runs.

Austin coach Kristen Lozano said her team went through a bit of a feeling-out process before getting into an offensive zone to match its pitcher.

“Just like any first-time game, when you’re playing anybody, you’re just a little quiet, a little nervous,” Lozano said. “The nerves got a little bit of a hold on them but we just had to go back to being us.”

During the sixth inning, the Maroons loaded the bases again and used a second two-out hit to score, this time to end the game. Jayda Lafluer’s grand slam was enough to force the 10-run rule.

Serna will likely be in the circle again and the SaberCats will need to muster more than just one hit to get the offense going.

“When you have Daniella Serna on the mound, she can be 3-0 in the count with balls and she knows she’s going to come back,” Lozano said. “She just has to hunker down and make sure that mentally we’re starting off stronger.”

For Maples and the SaberCats, they have options and a decision. Salinas started the game and fellow sophomore Guzman pitched in relief.

“We’re probably going to pitch both of them again,” Maples said. “That’s the good thing, neither one of them is tired. Bri threw a lot of pitches, but she’ll be ready to go tomorrow. We’ll talk about it tonight and figure out our game plan for tomorrow. We’ll be ready for two games tomorrow.”

Game 2 is scheduled for 6 tonight, with Game 3 to be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2, if necessary.

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BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

Another sport and another Edinburg Vela SaberCats team competing deep in the playoffs. But not all runs from the high school are created equally.

The Vela softball team is back in the fourth round for the second year in a row. The team had questions after graduation regarding who would fill voids left on the mound at first base.

The sophomore class provided the answer.

Senior leadership meshing with rising sophomore talent have delivered the SaberCats back to the Sweet 16. They face Austin High in Corpus Christi at Cabaniss Field for a best-of-three series that begins tonight and wraps up with a potential doubleheader Friday.

“It’s a lot of teamwork. You just need to keep having faith in each other,” senior catcher Darissa Buenrostro said. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our sophomore (pitcher) Karina (Guzman). We had two big spots that graduated last year, and I think the sophomores have come in and have been good in every position, offensively and defensively.”

Just with their hitting leaders, the impact of the 2021 class is hard to miss. The top four batting averages (with at least 20 at-bats) are all sophomores.

Karina Guzman is one of two arms that exceed in replacing last year’s ace Naomi Reyes. She’s thrown 65.2 innings in her first varsity season, including 19.1 in playoffs.

Brianna Salinas, another sophomore, has thrown 99.2 innings and has 89 strikeouts, 14 in the postseason.

The duo combines for a 26-5 record. Guzman says there’s no lack of motivation with eight seniors hoping to reach new heights.

“We’ve created a really strong bond with them,” Guzman said. “Most of the time we do it for them and to keep their season going, because we know they’re going to miss playing here.”

Taylor Chavez hit a three-run home run in Game 3 against PSJA High in the area round to extend the season, while Guzman pitched a shutout in the regional quarterfinals last week.

“The upperclassmen really encourage me, so they make me feel comfortable. I trust them,” Guzman said.

The SaberCats went from being down to their final strike against PSJA in Game 2 to rolling against Laredo United 11-0 in a one-game third round.

“Our whole team is stacked. We have bats from top of the lineup to the bottom of the lineup,” senior center fielder Gabby Villarreal said. “Honestly, if anyone gets hurt, we have someone who we know can hit and we have confidence in them to help us win the game. We have a really good team. We have a lot of sticks.”

Villarreal is spot on with her assessment of the offense. Six SaberCats have 25 or more RBIs and the squad has 25 home runs.

“Having the seniors in front of us it allows us to be more comfortable, they’ve been through some of the situations that we’re going through right now, first-timers,” sophomore Monee Montilla said. “They get to give us a little insight on what we’re doing and stay positive throughout the whole thing.”

Montilla has had the loudest bat on the team this year with 51 hits and 46 RBIs to lead the SaberCats.

“It’s amazing knowing that we’re helping our team out, especially the (eight) seniors we have,” Salinas said. “We’re giving it our best shot for their last year to go as far as we can take them.”

Game 1 from Corpus is set for 6 tonight. Game 2’s first pitch Friday is also at 6 p.m., with the third game to follow if necessary.

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BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

Who better to guide the best football players in the western RGV than the coach who led Mission Veterans to the fourth round? The memorable playoff push was the longest run for a Valley team since the 2011 Harlingen Cardinals reached that same stage.

David Gilpin and his staff will lead the West all-stars into their final high school football game in the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association All-star Game at 7:30 Friday evening at Sams Stadium against the stars from the eastern and lower RGV.

Gilpin will have an arsenal of weapons at his side to try and pierce the armor of the East defense. He said he’s had the pleasure of dealing with a great group aside from just the talent.

“The neat thing about it, that I’ve enjoyed, is that they’re not just good football players, and they are, but they’re good kids,” David Gilpin said. “They’re good people. Their attitude has been outstanding. Just the whole atmosphere around these guys has been something I’ve enjoyed.”

The rosters and the depth chart are like a dream team for a coaching staff to utilize. At quarterback, Landry Gilpin, named Mr. Texas Football, and Trey Guajardo, who set the Valley’s 6A yardage record will split time. Not to mention Simon Fernandez of Valley View, Grulla’s Dillen Salinas and PSJA Memorial’s Orlando Munoz who were all integral leaders of their respective offenses.

Wide receivers from Gabriel Tamez (Sharyland High) to Daniel Enriquez (Edinburg Vela) to McAllen Rowe’s Ruben Saenz will be targets and options on the field for those quarterbacks.

The offensive line is no exception with muscle from La Joya High in Damian Tanguma, Alex Jimenez of Donna North, Jayden Borjas from Edinburg Vela, Daniel Domian of McAllen Memorial and the list goes on of capable trench diggers.

Gilpin is in the midst of spring ball for his Patriots, which takes place in the morning. His days have been extending to 14 hours but he says it’s a labor of love.

“I walked into my office around 6 a.m. today, getting ready for our spring practices and we’re getting out of here around 8 o’clock at night most days after all-star practice,” He said. “While it’s a long day, it doesn’t seem like a grind because we’re having so much fun.”

Linebackers Ryan Reyna (PSJA North) and Javo Lopez (Sharyland High) will be teammates, a scary proposition for the opposition.

“We want to try to showcase their abilities,” Gilpin said. “We want them to be able to go out one more time as a high school football player, in front of their family, in front of their friends and showcase what they can do.”

Don’t call the game an exhibition too loudly because the Veterans staff is trying to put the West in position to succeed.

“You say just an exhibition, you say just for fun but hey I don’t do anything … that I don’t want to win,” Gilpin said with a chuckle. “We won back in 2011 when we coached it. We talked to the kids about that all week, we want to win the football game.”

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