BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Sharyland Pioneer had not won a title in varsity baseball, until Saturday.
The Diamondbacks won their first championship in the inaugural Sharyland ISD Hardball Classic by beating rival Sharyland High in the first-place game of the tournament, 16-8.
“It was phenomenal,” senior first baseman Diego Ortiz said. “It was a very exciting win, and getting this win over our rival is probably better than most of the wins we have had this year. This one felt better.”
Pioneer is in its fourth season of baseball, and its first under coach Casey Smith. The team’s 9-3 record through Saturday matches its win total for all of last season. The Diamondbacks’ next win will set a new program record for wins in a year, and they haven’t even completed their third tournament yet.
Ortiz led the way for the Diamondbacks, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and one run scored.
Ortiz was at the center of the second and third innings, which allowed the Diamondbacks to pull away with a 9-4 advantage after three innings.
In the top of the second, after two one-out walks, the heavy hitters on Saturday started their big afternoons, going 3 for 3. Junior left fielder Pedro Tovias, hitting seventh, knocked an RBI single. Ortiz followed with a single, and in the No. 9 spot, junior center fielder Parker Barrett finally chased Rattlers sophomore starting pitcher Randy Garcia with a two-run double. Ortiz and Barrett eventually came around to score on an errant throw, capping off a five-run second.
“Those guys have really bought in, as far as our approach,” Smith said of his 7-9 hitters. “They have done a good job of coming through when we have guys on and making teams pay, so far.”
The third inning allowed the bottom of the lineup to do more damage, although most of it was self-inflicted for the Rattlers. Junior right fielder Johnny Lugo led off with a double. Three of the next four batters reached safely via walks or being hit by a pitch. Senior starting pitcher Fabio Valdivia, hitting in the leadoff spot, eventually cashed in with a three-run double.
“We were able to get ahead then, by applying pressure to the pitchers,” Ortiz said. “They had three good pitchers. We just kept applying pressure, hitting and playing good defense. Our pitchers were doing awesome — pounding the strike zone. We just played defense behind them.”
Valdivia went three innings for the Diamondbacks, and senior Albert Garza came in for the final four frames.
Smith said he liked what he saw from both. He has been working closely with Valdivia, who is pitching for the first time this year.
“He’s got some ability,” Smith said. “His first appearance was last week against Calallen, so welcome to high school baseball, am I right? But, he has really good mechanics, and we feel like he will be good for us. It’s just a matter of getting him out there and getting that experience for him.”
Once Garza hit the mound, he started throwing strikes, only allowing three batters to end their plate appearance without contact (two strikeouts and one walk).
“I was just trying to throw strikes, let them hit the ball and let my defense have my back,” Garza said. “I’m already used to these (longer relief) situations, but I just don’t let it get to my head. I have to stay focused the entire time. And hit my spots.”
The pair only allowed four earned runs, but defensive mishaps led to another four runs.
Tovias finished 3 for 3 with two RBIs, four runs scored and a triple. Lugo finished 2 for 4 with two runs and a double.
Smith’s impact has been felt throughout the Diamondbacks’ lineup, and that is helping the players buy in even more.
“I feel like we are definitely growing,” Smith said. “Our approaches are getting better; our energy is getting better and more consistent. I think we are starting to believe in ourselves a little bit. That is important, too. You always have to believe you can win ballgames when you step on the field.”
Ortiz said he was impressed with the difference he has seen in his own game.
“It’s making such a difference, compared to what I have had,” Ortiz said. “Coach Smith is a very experienced coach. We are glad to have him. … He’s made me focus on driving the ball, letting it travel and just exploding to the ball. He makes us go through a lot of drills that make us focus on that.”
Like many seniors for Pioneer, Ortiz has lived through three years of ignominy. Now, through 12 games, the glimmer of promise is greeting those seniors like a breath of fresh air.
“It has been very exciting,” Ortiz said. “It’s been very fun. It’s an adventure. Senior year is supposed to be joyful, and (Smith) is making it exciting.”
Garza recalls starting the offseason with Smith and watching all of his teammates grow.
“We have been improving as individuals,” Garza said. “But even more importantly, especially as the season has been going on, we have been improving as a team. That is key for us right now, improving together.”
“It’s amazing, it feels so good,” Tovias said of Saturday’s win. “Especially against our rival, Sharyland, it is a good win.”
If the Diamondbacks seemed slightly subdued after the accomplishment, it is because they are focused on only one goal right now.
“For now, we are just focused on getting through district,” Tovias said. “We want to compete in district. Whatever happens after that, Coach Smith will have us ready for it. … He came from (Mission) Vets. They had a good program, so he knows how to win, and he is just teaching us the ropes right now.”