Under the tutelage of Partida and the well-rounded play of Gaitan, the ’Hounds overcame a 1-3 start in league play to finish at 9-5 and in third place in District 32-6A, and earn a trip to the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons.
For their efforts, Partida was named the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR Coach of the Year, while Gaitan is the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR Most Valuable Player.
Partida is the first coach to lead the Greyhounds to back-to-back playoff appearances in program history and did it by simply telling his players to quit testing the proverbial waters and just jump in.
“Our main thing all year long has been that we are like family,” Partida said. “I’ve known these kids since they were 4 years old. While we had that losing streak, I told the team to have some fun and play the game because we were putting too much pressure on ourselves.
“We did and we went on our winning streak and the rest is history.”
As for Gaitan, his numbers were as solid as they come.
He batted .508 with 11 RBIs and two home runs on the year, while racking up 37 strikeouts with a .296 and a 1.000 save percentage as the team’s closer in addition to being an efficient shortstop.
He was also tabbed as the District 32-6A offensive MVP.
The humble Gaitan, however, credits his team and coach for everything he has accomplished.
“It means a lot to play for Coach Partida,” Gaitan said. “When we were little, we played together as a team and he’s always been there for us as a coach. He has pushed me and I mostly just play hard for my team.
“I play the game and awards come in, but most importantly it’s just about playing the game. I don’t worry about anything else.”
Gaitan is also the team’s silent leader, but does admit to trying to be vocal when his team needs uplifting. However, it’s his game that speaks the loudest to those around him.
‘It’s fun coaching this kid,” Partida said of Gaitan. “He’s the type of player you just let loose and let him do his own thing. He makes us as coaches look good. When I first saw him play, I knew he was going to be something special.
“He’s not a vocal leader, but when he succeeds on the field, everyone just follows him.”
Gaitan will now take his talents to college where he will play at Southeastern Community College in Iowa, where he feels his experience in San Benito will see him through.
“I just feel like my speed and work ethic will help because when I’m lazy, Coach Partida will teach me to get back up,” he said. “Hopefully, I can take that up there with me.”
Regardless of what happens in Iowa, watching his players succeed is what it’s all about for Partida.
“Going two deep, three deep in the playoffs is good, but seeing these kids play and succeed is my reward,” Partida said.
PEREZ EARNS PITCHER OF THE YEAR NOD
Not only would he get in reps during his team’s practice, but he devoted his down time to perfecting his craft and it paid off as he earned the distinction as the team’s ace and helped lead the Warriors to a second-place District 32-3A finish.
“I went to practice and practiced hard,” Perez said. “We wouldn’t just mainly focus on pitching but when practice was over, I went to the park on my own to get pitching reps in to get focused for the game. I noticed that I improved and would get about 10 strikeouts almost every time out.”
For his efforts, Perez was named the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR baseball team Pitcher of the Year.
On the year, Perez went 5-2 on the mound with a 1.18 era with 51 strikeouts, making him one of the region’s top arms.
While 2016 was his breakout year, Perez wasn’t at all surprised. In fact, he took it upon himself to make it so.
As a freshman, Perez didn’t pitch very much in games, getting a couple of innings of game experience where he could.
In the playoffs that year, that changed.
In game one of the bi-district playoffs against Santa Gertrudis Academy, Perez took the mound and struck out 14 to lead the Warriors to victory.
From that point, Perez knew he wanted to sustain those numbers through his sophomore campaign.
“I was positive coming into this year,” Perez said. “I practiced during the summer and went to camps, so I felt confident heading into this season.”
Unfortunately, the season ended in a 2-1 series loss for the Warriors against the same Santa Gertrudis Academy he lit up the year before.
Perez, however, isn’t going to hang his head. Instead, he will continue to develop his game over the next two years.
“I am OK right now, but you can always get better,” Perez said. “I need to get back to it and see what happens the next two years. It was a good year, but we should have gone further in the playoffs.
“But we’ll all have the time before next year to get better as a team.”
MEJIA GRABS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR HONORS
The Harlingen South Hawks had an uncharacteristic down year in 2016 as they finished out of the playoffs and with a losing district record.
However, there is a lot to look forward to for the team with a core of young talent.
Among that talent is freshman Robert Mejia.
Mejia was one of South’s standout players, a solid hitter and was a 32-6A All-District first team designated hitter.
As a result, Mejia has been named the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR Team’s Newcomer of the Year.
Mejia came into the year expecting to contribute but didn’t expect to have the impact he did.
He hit .250 on the year and led the team with 19 RBIs. Mejia even tied for the team lead in strikeouts with 24.
“I really didn’t expect to be one of the team’s top hitters,” Mejia said. “It felt good to know that some guys looked toward me to produce even though I am just a freshman. Some upperclassmen even asked for some advice, so it felt good.”
It is no secret why Mejia got so much attention.
Despite being a freshman, Mejia has as much experience playing baseball as some of the team’s veterans.
“I’ve played since I was ix and have played select ball ever since then,” Mejia said. “I never really played Valley ball, so when I played it was against talent from Houston or Corpus Christi.”
After having a great year, Mejia, feels that it’s only a matter of time before the Hawks are going to back to being as successful as they have been in previous years. And he is looking forward to being a part of that.
“We just have to keep working as team, stay together and not put each other down,” Mejia said. “We have to keep fighting.”
2016 All-STAR team
Coach of the Year
Ram Partida (San Benito)
MVP
JR Gaitan (San Benito)
(.508 batting average, 11 RBIs, 3HR, 3-0 record as a pitcher, 4 saves, 37 Ks, .296 era, 32-6A offensive POY)
Pitcher of the Year
Eleuterio Perez (Santa Rosa)
(5-2 record, 51 Ks, 1.18 era, 32-3A All-District First Team Pitcher)
Newcomer of the Year
Robert Mejia (Harlingen South)
(.250 batting average, 19 RBIs, 32- record on mound, 2.69 era, 24 Ks, 32-6A All-District First Team DH)
All-Star First Team
Pitchers
-Erick Arizpe (San Benito)
(5-4 record, 52 Ks, 1.83 era, 32-6A All-District First Team)
-Jaedon Wynn (Harlingen)
(4-4 record, 41 Ks, 2.49 era, 32-6A All-District First Team)
-VJ Olivarez (Rio Hondo)
(4-5 record, 47 Ks, 2.71 era, 32-4A All-District First Team))
Catcher
-Alfonso Mireles (San Benito)
(.357 batting average, 32-6A All-District First Team)
Infield
-Leo Lara – SS (Santa Rosa)
(543 batting average, 19 RBI, 23 put outs, 27 assists)
-Joseph Partida – 1B (San Benito)
(.348 batting average, 61 put outs, 1.000 fielding percentage)
-Manny Sanchez – 2B (Santa Rosa)
(.557 batting average, 12 RBIs, 36 put outs, 19 assists, .929 fielding percentage)
-Hayes Duffy– INF (Harlingen)
(.333 batting average, 35 assists, 20 put outs, 32-6A Honorable Mention)
Outfield
-Alec Garza (Harlingen South)
(.391 batting average, 15 RBIs, 35 put outs, 32-6A All-District First Team)
-Isaac Galpin (La Feria)
(.452 batting average, .488 on base percentage, 11RBIs, 32-4A All-District First Team))
-Jonathan Reyna (Lyford)
(21 put outs, 913 fielding percentage, .360 batting average, 32-3A All-District first team)
Second Team
Pitchers
-Adrian Rubalcaba (Raymondville)
-Justin Reta (Harlingen)
-Mando Medrano (San Benito)
Catcher
-Sammy Rocha (Lyford)
Infield
-Boedy Flores (Harlingen)
-Cross Gonzalez (Rio Hondo)
-Jon Ray Luna (Lyford)
Outfield
-Jesse Rodriguez (Santa Rosa)
-Alvaro Vargas (San Benito)
-Chad Roberts (Harlingen South)
Honorable Mention
Nick Reasor (HSH) (P)
Nick Muniz (HSH) (P)
Jacob Serna (Lyford) (P)
Jaime Cortez (Lyford) (INF)
Francisco Figueroa (SR) (C)
Nathan Bently (SR) (OF)
Josue Gonzalez (RH) (OF)
Jesse Atkinson (RH) (CF)
Michael Noyola (HAR) (P)
Hayes Duffy (HAR) (INF)
David Vargas (SB) (INF)