By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
The 2018 baseball season is already in full swing for Metro-area teams. With district games starting this week, the heart of the season is upon us.
Los Fresnos is the defending District 32-6A champion and returns a wealth of experience hoping for an even deeper run in the postseason this year.
The Falcons have earned a trip to the area round in each of the past two seasons.
“We’re trying to build chemistry, that’s big for us. It’s the first thing we try to build,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “I think the kids are starting to realize that’s a part of our program. We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re working on that. Trying to get on the same page and doing the same thing.”
With four seniors leading the way, including All-Metro MVP JJ Sanchez and All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year Joseph Munoz, and All-Metro first teamers pitcher Cristian Hernandez and outfielder George Villafranca among those returning this season there’s no reason to doubt that Los Fresnos will be again in the mix for another district title and another postseason berth.
“The young kids are looking up the older kids and listening to them,” Morales said. “They know the seniors are leading them in the right direction … it’s a work in progress.”
Senior southpaw pitcher Victor Montemayor returns to the rotation, senior first baseman Hugo Sanchez, junior catcher Tony Gallegos and sophomore third baseman Carlos Perez are also coming back to make the Falcons the top team in the Metro-area and possibly one of the best in the Rio Grande Valley.
A pair of seniors, Brynn Ramirez and Charles Chapa, five juniors, Sebastian Ledezma, Johnny Cadengo, Ian Danielson, Lee Trevino and Alex Salas, and two freshmen, Jacob Sandoval and Victor Loa, are also in the mix to help Los Fresnos earn its third straight postseason berth.
The expectations are high this season for the Falcons, but they welcome the challenge.
“Our goals are pretty high,” Morales said. “We want to get better than last year, every senior group wants to be better than the group before. We want to get better and keep getting better, but we’ll take it game by game and hopefully we’ll be better than last year. They’ve put the work in during the offseason; their work ethic has been good.
“The team chemistry, I believe in that. Once we get everyone on the same page, I feel all the pieces will start fitting together like they should.”
HANNA GOLDEN EAGLES
Hanna has a new man at the helm, Jameson Wicks. Former head coach Eddie Garcia stepped down in the offseason after nine seasons to become an assistant on the Hanna softball team to help coach his daughter. Garcia led the Golden Eagles to a runner-up finish in District 32-6A last season and their ninth straight postseason berth, including a trip to the second round.
Wicks hopes to continue that annual playoff journey with All-Metro Pitcher of the Year Noe Guerrero III returning for his senior season to lead the way. Guerrero, who is committed to Texas Southern University, had a minuscule 1.14 ERA in 61 1/3 innings last season with 57 strikeouts. He had four complete games, three shutouts, including a no hitter.
Fellow senior Cristian Gonzalez, a University of the Incarnate Word commit, also returns and was an All-Metro second teamer at first baseman a year ago. Also coming back for the Eagles are seniors Raul Perez (outfielder/pitcher), who was a first-team District 32-6A selection and Ryan Casas (infielder), who earned second-team district honors.
Also returning for Hanna on its senior-laden squad are five seniors, Jay Medina, Rolando Ramirez, Ricardo Perez, Johnathan Castro and Lee Alonzo, and sophomore Mark Alonzo is a new addition to varsity this season.
The Eagles certainly have the experience and talent coming back and should be able to challenge Los Fresnos once again for the top of the District 32-6A standings.
RIVERA RAIDERS
Rivera finished back in the pack in District 32-6A last year, but with some good experience returning this could be a breakthrough season for the Raiders.
The top returner for Rivera is All-Metro second team third baseman Danny Alvear, a senior who also with handle duties on the mound and behind the plate as well. A trio of juniors, shortstop Michael Gomez, outfielder/pitcher Raul Gonzalez and first baseman/pitcher Jose Hernandez will be looked to lead the Raiders’ squad that is a mix of experienced and youth.
Rivera have eight other players with varsity experience coming back as well as two seniors, Johnny Balli and Diego Gonzalez, and a sophomore Omar Rodriguez that are new to the varsity this season.
The Raiders have a good group that look to turn the corner.
“We truly believe we can meet our expectations with the talent we’ve got, with our baseball IQ,” Rivera coach Travis Parker said. “I see us fighting for a playoff spot this year.”
With the experience all over the field returning and a rotation with three senior arms, Rivera could make some noise in District 32-6A.
“Everything starts with pitching … pitching, good defense and timely hitting,” Parker said. “It’s a formula for any good baseball team. I believe we have top-notch pitching to hang with the district. I feel we are a more confident team and when we step on the field we’re expecting to win.”
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL CHARGERS
Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Brownsville Veterans Memorial, but the Chargers earned a postseason berth after they finished second in District 32-5A under new coach Albert Rodriguez.
Led by junior and All-Metro Newcomer of the Year Justin Anaya, Brownsville Veterans looks to earn another playoff spot and challenge for the district title. The Chargers aren’t letting a lack of experience determine how far they can go with talent at many positions. All-Metro second team catcher and senior Aaron Recio returns as well as junior first baseman Ruben Gallegos and sophomore pitcher Jorge Lozano.
Unfortunately for Rodriguez as he starts his second season at the helm, he’ll be without a couple players. Brownsville Veterans senior top pitcher and All-Metro second-teamer Sammy Chapa was injured during football season and is likely to miss the season as his rehabilitation continues and another player, Alex Betancourt, transferred to IMG Academy in Florida.
“We have a lot of new faces with a lot of underclassmen that are going to have to prove themselves at the varsity level and do it quick,” Rodriguez said. “The kids are working hard day in and day out and all committed to being a team. I like the kids’ chemistry and they are united, (they’re) together all the time on and off the field.”
The youth movement continues for the Chargers with six players new to varsity, junior Jesus Lozano, a trio of sophomores, Cristian Holloway, Rafael Parra and Jesus Kaar, as well as a pair of freshmen, Rafael Capistran and Javier Hinojosa.
After falling short of a District 32-5A title last year, Brownsville Veterans feels like it will again challenge for the top spot.
“We have a bittersweet taste in our mouths from last year,” Rodriguez said. “This year we have some new faces, but we still feel like we can compete for a district title. We want to have a great season, get at least 20 wins, win the district title and hopefully go a couple rounds deep in the playoffs so the kids can continue to build on that.”
LOPEZ LOBOS
Lopez finished out of the playoff race last year in District 32-5A. But Alex Olguin, the All-Metro first-teamer and District 32-5A’s top offensive player returns for his final season and he’s on a mission to get the Lobos to the postseason.
The Texas Southern University commit is the Lobos shortstop and their top pitcher, with a 2.79 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings last season during district play. But he was also trouble at the plate, hitting .368 with 14 hits in 38 at-bats, including a double, three triples and a pair of home runs. He scored 19 runs, stole 14 bases and drove in 15 runs during 14 District 32-5A games last year.
All-Metro second teamer and District 32-5A first team outfielder Sebastian Mujica also returns for his senior season, as does District 32-5A second team catcher Marco Ibarra. Mujica hit .300 and drove in 16 runs last season during district and Ibarra hit .333, scored 12 runs and drove in 13 for Lopez last year. Sophomore Jesus De Leon is back after earning district honors as the top utility player after he scored 17 runs, had six doubles and hit .304 during his first varsity season.
With talent and senior leadership in place, the Lobos are ready to be in the thick of the postseason mix. They must get off to a better start in district play, something that has hurt them in past years.
The main concern for Lopez is its pitching, particularly the rest of the rotation after Olguin.
“We’ve been hitting the ball well, so we’re working on our pitching,” Lopez coach Victor Martinez said. “We know Alex is always going to give us a great game every outing. In order for us to reach our goal, our No. 2, 3 and 4 have to perform … we’ll go as far as they will take us.”
The Lobos are aiming high, they don’t just want to end their playoff drought, they want to win the district title.
“Our expectations are always high,” Martinez said. “We set a goal to win a district championship … we’re going to go all out.
“Our eyes are on the title.”
PACE VIKINGS
Pace finished back in the pack in District 32-5A, but the Vikings have a senior-heavy group with plenty of experience returning in their third season under coach Roy Rodriguez.
Led by All-Metro second team and District 32-5A first team pitcher Christian Rodriguez, Pace has its top hurler back on the mound for his senior season. He had a 2.32 ERA and struck out 34 in 42 1/3 innings last year in seven starts, including three complete games during district play. Rodriguez also hit .313 and drove in 10 runs during District 32-5A games a year ago.
Four other seniors return after earning district honors last season, designated hitter Austin Sulewski, catcher Ramon Macias and outfielders Trey Davila and Angel Gomez.
Freshman Jose Banda is a newcomer to the varsity squad and expected to make an impact for the Vikings this season.
Pace has been in the mix for the postseason during the last week of the season for the last two years, but has unfortunately fallen short. The Vikings have been on the wrong side of many close games down the stretch and it has hurt their playoff chances. Rodriguez is confident that experience will finally pay off and hopefully put them in the postseason.
“We haven’t taken care of close games at the very end and that has bitten us,” he said. “We’re going back to the basics, emphasize the fundamentals of baseball and work on more game situations. It comes down to our mindset and be ready for anything … the kids have the experience and they have what it takes to win those close games.”
PORTER COWBOYS
Porter fell just short of a playoff berth after a fifth-place finish in District 32-5A last season. The Cowboys lost a few key seniors, especially their top two in the pitching rotation, but they have some experience that returns this year with the rest of the roster that is fairly young.
A pair of seniors, Jose Villalon and Saddam Cantu, and junior Cesar Lartigue will be expected to lead Porter and hopefully be in the mix for the postseason.
Four others, Aaron Gracia , Gustavo Garza , Erick Luiton and Mando De La Cruz, give the Cowboys some varsity experience that they’ll need to give them a chance in a tough district.
Porter coach Oscar Cortez is in his third year and will try to lift his team out of its playoff drought. The Cowboys last earned a playoff berth in 2015 after winning the District 32-5A title.
PORT ISABEL TARPONS
Port Isabel earned a postseason berth last season in District 32-4A, but lost five talented seniors from that roster.
Even with a younger roster this year, the goals remain the same for the Tarpons who return their top hurler, a senior and All-Metro first-teamer, Jose Martinez. He’ll be joined by a trio of fellow seniors with plenty of experience, Jeremy Martinez , Josiah Garza and Tyler Francis.
The four will be expected to lead the way toward another postseason run. The roster is much younger than last season with a group of sophomores, Pedro Gonzalez, Alek Zermeno, Jake Pinkerton, Frankie Silva, Preston Mena and Hugo Gonzalez that will be asked to step up into some starting roles.
Port Isabel always seemed to rely on a strong pitching staff and its defense and this year seems no different.
“We knew our strength was our pitching,” Port Isabel coach Robert Holland said. “But the young guys have got to come through (hitting), they have to get better. I know it’s always how we finish, not how we start.”
It’s still early, but once the youth on the team starts hitting more consistently, the Tarpons are going to be a dangerous team to face.
The Port Isabel seniors know what’s at stake to continue the tradition of the postseason.
“The young guys need to mature and the seniors need to be leaders and they need to stay together,” Holland said. “They expect it (to make the playoffs). We just have to find a way to win … get it done.”
ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY BLOODHOUNDS
St. Joseph Academy has a lot of experience returning this season for second-year coach Steven Najera, including All-Metro and district second teamer Arturo Trevino.
The Bloodhounds top two pitchers are back, seniors Trevino and Carlos Esteve, who also earned first-team honors in their TAPPS district last year. The pair also got it done at the plate, Trevino hit .422, had four doubles among his 19 hits and drove in 16 runs and Esteve had.385 average and 15 hits last season.
The pair, along with juniors Trevor Lette and Erik Stachowiak (both district second-team selections), and sophomores Senad Dervisevic and Carlos Sarmiento will be key to the team’s success. Lette will see time on the mound and in the infield, as will Dervisevic. Stachowiak will be in the outfield and Sarmiento will be behind the plate for St. Joseph.
Najera hopes to continue to build the program and get some much-needed consistency. With talented players returning and more depth in previous years, it seems the Bloodhounds are well on their way.
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.