By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Javier Hernandez has spent the season catching pitches from the Port Isabel pitching staff, and has done it so well, he has the Tarpons prepared to catch something themselves: A district title.
The senior catcher’s strong defense and leadership behind the dish has Port Isabel within reach of a District 32-4A championship, and the young athlete hopes to push the Tarpons deeper into the postseason this spring.
A four-year starter — two in the outfield and the last two behind the plate — Hernandez has helped his team earn a postseason berth each of the past three campaigns. But now something greater is within the Tarpons’ grasp, and Hernandez said his senior teammates are hungry for it.
“It’s our senior year and a bunch of us have been here for a while on varsity,” he said. “We’d love to get a district championship, but we want to make a good run in the playoffs.”
That chance comes tonight as the Tarpons (9-2 in district) play host to Hidalgo (10-1) for at least a share of the title. The Tarpons lost to the Pirates earlier this season, an 8-5 setback on the road.
The Tarpons have a senior-laden team this season, but Hernandez has helped them through the difficult times.
“Javier’s having a great year, he’s our captain,” Port Isabel coach Robert Holland said. “He calls the pitches. When the pitcher is struggling, he calls timeout and goes to talk to them. He’s always talking in (defensive) situations. He’s just a leader all the way around.”
Hernandez is the constant voice for the Tarpons during games and even practices.
“I’m more of a vocal leader, even in practice,” he said. “You practice the way you play. In the games, I’m the one yelling, making sure everyone is yelling. You have to know where to go, especially before the pitch.”
Holland praised Hernandez’s abilities on defense that have been the difference in close games.
“In the past, we’ve lost games because our catcher had problems,” Holland said. “(Javier) does a great job blocking. He hardly ever misses.”
Not surprisingly, Hernandez said the most important part of his game was his work behind the plate.
“It’s my defense certainly,” he said. “Especially when they get on base, it’s my job to throw them out.”
And Hernandez has thrown them out. The Tarpons catcher has cut down 18 base runners this season.
The Port Isabel coach said that a lot of them have been at key moments, he recalled at least three during district that killed rallies and the Tarpons went on to win those games.
Hernandez said his work ethic and hitting the weight room have been vital in his progression. The Tarpons catcher will sometimes make those throws to second base for an hour or more after practice is over and having a regular routine in the weight room has helped his arm get stronger.
And although Hernandez’s defense gets a lot of recognition, the benefits of his hard work haven’t been limited to his defensive game.
In the batter’s box, the Tarpons’ No. 3 hitter owns a respectable .294 batting average (15 for 51). He’s scored 17 runs and driven in another nine. He’s also drawn 17 walks, showing a keen eye for a strike zone he manages on a game-to-game basis.
Holland was quick to show his admiration for his talented catcher.
“He’s a good kid, a hard worker. He’s the kind of kid you wish you had nine of,” Holland said. “He just helps us win, he’s a big part of (the team’s success).”
Wins in the district season don’t mean much if it doesn’t translate to postseason victories. Hernandez is ready to get his team over that proverbial hump.
“I need to motivate everyone else,” he said. “We’re in second (in district), but we can still win this. We can get first (in district) and make a good run in the playoffs. It’s all about momentum in the playoffs. We can do this.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.