By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Victor Loa has surmounted several obstacles en route to being named the District 32-6A MVP and The Brownsville Herald’s 2019 All-Metro Baseball Pitcher of the Year.
“I was put up against more challenges this year,” Loa said. “I was brought into more games than I thought I would have been brought into.”
Loa took on more responsibility on and off the field in his sophomore season, and also dealt with the grief of his grandfather’s untimely death.
“I worked out of the struggles and attempted to mount over them,” Loa said. “I focused on myself every time I stepped on the mound or went up to bat and completely forgot about everything. I just focused on getting a ‘W’ and spending as much time as I could with the seniors and bonding with them as a team.”
Loa said his father always taught him to stay humble and be grateful for the community in which he was raised. He remembered that advice when he was told he would have a better shot if he took his talents elsewhere.
“This is my home,” Loa said. “I would never attempt to leave. … I’ve always wanted to start here and finish here. I’ve always had the dream to play on this field, with Falcon pride. So that’s always been my goal.”
Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales is among those grateful to his young ace for his commitment to the program.
“He was our best pitcher all year long,” Morales said. “He carried us in the playoffs. We played defense behind him, and our kids played a little bit more relaxed when he was on the mound. We knew he was going to throw strikes, and it was just a totally different mindset for our kids on the mound.”
From his first start against Harlingen South — a 2-1 loss in the season opener in which he struck out 18 Hawks and allowed just three hits — it was evident that the left-hander was on the brink of a special season. For an encore, Loa tossed a no-hitter in a 3-1 victory over Weslaco High in the bi-district round of the Class 6A Region IV playoffs, striking out 13 Panthers and walking four. He also guided the Falcons to the third round of the playoffs, dispatching Laredo United in the area round, going for 6 2/3 innings in the 4-2 win.
On the season, Loa posted a 0.31 ERA and a 4-2 record. In eight starts and 45 2/3 innings pitched, Loa surrendered 19 hits, 25 walks, nine total runs and two earned runs. He struck out 92 batters in district play.
Loa was also a key contributor to the Falcons’ offense, hitting .333 with a .490 on-base percentage and .548 slugging percentage. He scored nine runs, drove in 11 runs and added 13 hits.
Los Fresnos will continue to set high expectations for its ace, as Loa does for himself.
“I’m glad I got these two awards, but I’m not done yet. I still have two more years, and I’m looking forward to seeing what my junior and senior years have (in store).”