By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Sometimes, you only need one word to describe a person.
In the case of Fred Villarreal, that word is as powerful as his pitching: dominant.
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior and University of Houston commit threw four no-hitters — including one perfect game — and finished 11-1, a 0.50 ERA in 2016. He completed eight games (seven shutouts) and added a save to boot. Vallarreal helped the Chargers win 20 games this season and claim their second consecutive District 32-6A title. With Villarreal’s help, Brownsville Veterans has gone 25-3 in district play over the last two seasons.
For his exceptional contributions, Villarreal has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro Baseball Most Valuable Player.
“It feels great because I know hard work pays off,” he said. “I’m sad (the season) ended that way in the second round again.”
The Chargers advanced to the area round of the playoffs, only to fall to Laredo United for the second straight spring.
Villarreal was also chosen as the unanimous district MVP. In 69 1/3 innings, he allowed just seven runs (five earned), 26 hits (all singles), seven walks and recorded 124 strikeouts as opponents hit just .111 against him.
He also hit .342 (with a .475 on-base percentage), pounding out 27 hits, scored 16 runs, had seven RBIs, three doubles, two triples and a home run. Villarreal drew 15 walks, struck out eight times and stole two bases on the season.
“I think Fred was mentally and physically fit, and then he had his talent,” Brownsville Veterans coach Eric Gonzalez said. “He had confidence, and when he took the mound, the guys rallied around him. There was an assurance that we were going to play well when he pitched. We played good defense for him, made some good plays for him, but when the game was on the line, he made some big pitches. He handled his business and as a coach that was a blessing for me.”
Villarreal only played for Gonzalez for one season, but the bond was formed early on. The right-hander said he learned plenty from the first-year coach, adding that said knowledge was immeasurable.
“I’d like to thank coach (Gonzalez) because I know he made a sacrifice to be here,” Villarreal said. “I’m glad he was our coach this year.”
The Chargers’ coach will remember the amazing season that included four gems thrown by Villarreal, including one that clinched the district title outright against Los Fresnos.
“Four no-hitters is historical,” Gonzalez said. “I think his mentality helped him through it. It is tough; even if you’re throwing hard, it’s tough to maintain that mental toughness. He was able to do that and that’s what made him a special player.”
While Villarreal was disappointed the season ended abruptly, his memories of his final season with his teammates were what made it special and took precedence over his final game as a prep athlete.
“The players I played with were not only my teammates, but they were people I grew up with,” he said. “It was awesome playing with them.”
Unfortunately for Gonzalez, he loses a special player.
“He was a great pitcher,” he said. “We’re losing a great pitcher. You can have a guy come up and pitch well, and still not be close to what he did. When the game was on the line, he was there. He kept making his pitches and he kept doing it over and over for us this season.”
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.
2016 Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Baseball Team
MVP: Fred Villarreal, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Offensive Player of the Year: Noe Solis, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Moody, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Pitcher of the Year: Nick Montemayor, Los Fresnos
Newcomer of the Year: Raul Gonzalez, Rivera
Coach of the Year: Robert Holland, Port Isabel
First team
Pitcher: Noe Guerrero, Hanna
Pitcher: Jose Martinez, Port Isabel
Catcher: Cesar Saldaña, Hanna
First base: Santos Rodriguez, Pace
Second base: Marky Ordonez, Lopez
Third base: Charles Chapa, Los Fresnos
Shortstop: David Anaya, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Outfield: George Villafranca, Los Fresnos
Outfield: Baltazar Guzman, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Outfield: Israel Lambarri, Hanna
DH/Utility: Trey Mock, Port Isabel
Second team
Pitcher: Felix Ledezma, Porter
Pitcher: Alex Olguin, Lopez
Catcher: Javier Hernandez, Port Isabel
First base: Zak Bridgewater, Los Fresnos
Second base: Abel Rodriguez, Los Fresnos
Third base: Lee Alonzo, Hanna
Shortstop: Miguel Gonzalez, Los Fresnos
Outfield: Mark Martinez, Port Isabel
Outfield: Chandler Aynes, Pace
Outfield: AB Gonzalez, Lopez
DH/Utility: Arturo Trevino, St. Joseph Academy