BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
ALAMO — Edinburg Vela senior Aaron Galvan has been dealing with an oblique injury since the beginning of the month, and Friday was just his third game back in the lineup.
The UTRGV commit knocked off the rust and blasted a two-run home run to open up the scoring for the SaberCats in an 18-0 romp of PSJA Memorial in District 31-6A action.
“To get the ‘W’ feels good,” Vela coach Jaime Perez said.
After junior Nico Rodriguez knocked a single up the middle, Galvan worked the count full before blasting a shot to left field. The ball went down the line and just barely stayed fair to put the SaberCats up for good.
“To hit one (to the opposite field), and 330 is far,” Perez said. “I don’t care who you are. He hit it hard.”
“I wasn’t sure off the bat,” Galvan said. “It kind of caught me on my front foot. I just kept my hands back, threw my hands to the ball, and it went over. I made some good contact, but I didn’t think it was gone.”
Everyone got involved in the action on offense for Vela. In the second innings, Rodriguez reached on an RBI single, stole second and came home on passed ball.
In the top of the third, junior Eric Martinez also had a two-run homer.
“That guy (Martinez) is a big bat in our lineup,” senior Adam Alviso said. “Every time he goes up, it is scary.”
On the mound, Alivso, the sidewinder, found his rhythm in the second inning and set down six straight batters.
“He is a real surprise for us,” Perez said. “He’s competing right now, and the way he is playing, we can play him against anybody. He is throwing really well right now.”
Alviso finished the night with four innings pitched, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out nine.
“Lately my slider has been really good,” Alviso said. “It comes across the plate really nice, and it gets people to chase.”
Galvan was the designated hitter in his first game back. On Tuesday, he returned to the outfield. He said he didn’t feel like he had his best games in his first two back. Galvan has worked hard to get back onto the field, taking extra swings in the batting cages and at batting practice.
Galvan also had a steal after a walk in his second plate appearance. He said after the game that he felt good hitting his stride toward second. He didn’t feel any effects of the injury, and he made it without a throw. Still, Galvan said he was slower than he wants to be on the steal.
Galvan played in center for much of his junior year. This year, the SaberCats have asked him to move to left field, at least for now.
“He and Matthew De La Cruz lead this ballclub,” Perez said. “We moved Matthew to center and Aaron to left. That makes us a better ballclub. Having Nico (Rodriguez) in right helps, as well.”
Galvan can play any outfield position well, but De La Cruz has more speed, making him a better fit for center. With Rodriguez, the SaberCats have one of the best outfields in the Valley.
“(The new-look outfield) has been great,” Galvan said. “I didn’t imagine that us three would be in the outfield together. Matt is a great athlete, and he helps out this team very much in center.”
Galvan is hoping Friday gets him rolling after the injury.
“Today’s game helps me,” Galvan said. “But it also helps our whole team. This win will help build confidence for us heading into a tough game against Raiders (on Tuesday).”
The SaberCats are glad to have big No. 21 back in the lineup.
“He looks like he is coming back really nice,” Alviso said. “We were there with him while he was doing rehab, making sure he is all right. We have his back, and we take care of him.”
“I feel really great,” Galvan said. “It took a while to get back, and it was painful to have to wait and watch. I’m glad to be back, and I am hoping for the best.”