By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Port Isabel boasts quite a bit of experience, especially from a trio of players that have been starters since they were freshmen.
The Tarpons seniors, comprised of second baseman Jonathan Garza, catcher Javier Hernandez and first baseman Pete Garcia, have led Port Isabel to the playoffs in each of their first three seasons, and this year that goal remains unchanged.
It’s been so far so good for Port Isabel. The Tarpons won a pair of games to start the season, including their opener against Weslaco East in the 16th annual Port Isabel/Los Fresnos baseball tournament that started Thursday and continues today and Saturday.
“I expect them to be leaders, like they should be (as seniors),” Port Isabel coach Robert Holland said. “If they make a mistake, suck it up and make up for it next time. I expect them to be leaders both offensively and defensively.”
With the trio on the field, Holland is at ease. He has Hernandez behind the plate helping with pitching calls while Garcia and Garza relay the defensive signals around the remaining infield and outfield positions. For Holland, that on-field direction will be key for the Tarpon defense this season.
“We have to talk,” he said. “It keeps them in the game.”
Garza is especially happy to be back on the field after an elbow injury suffered during the football season prevented him from seeing much of the diamond in 2015. But he worked to get healthy for his senior campaign.
“I got a lot of motivation from my family to get back out to play the sport I love,” he said.
The three players have learned plenty from their older teammates since reaching varsity. Now, each plays a distinct leadership role for the Tarpons.
Hernandez and Garcia lead by example.
“I’m more of a quiet leader: ‘Follow me, do what I do,’” Hernandez said. “As a senior you have to motivate the younger kids to be leaders because when we’re gone, they have to step up next year.
“(We have to) teach the younger guys what they need to learn: not to mess around, taking practice seriously because you play the way you practice.”
Garcia is also soft-spoken and let’s his actions speak for him.
“I show the younger kids to do what I do, learn from me,” he said. “… on the field and off the field.”
Holland said Hernandez and Garcia lead with their actions, but added they aren’t afraid to speak up when necessary.
“When they need to say stuff, they say stuff,” the coach said.
Garza tends to be the more vocal of the trio. But he said he couldn’t play timid either as an example for his younger teammates.
“I tell them right from wrong, what to do, what not to do,” he said. “I have to just be me. Play without regrets or without any fear. Just have fun.”
Although the team needs to get up to speed offensively, Holland said the Tarpons have plenty of time and he expects the seniors to lead the way.
“They have to do everything,” he said of what the seniors need to do for the team to be successful. “Once they hit the ball (on Thursday), it picked everybody up. They just need to be leaders at practice, in the classroom, with their behavior. That’s what we’re looking for.”
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.