Feb march2015b

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


WWW.HSSMLIVE.COM

05

TOP10 POLLS SOFTBALL & BASEBALL POLL PREDICTIONS

08 •

Starting pitcher of Raymondville HS led her team to the 2014 State Softball Playoffs. •

CAN PIRATES RAID CLASS 4A?

on the mound chloe munoz

BASEBALL

21

ONE ON ONE WITH COACH RENE SOZA

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By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

SOFTBALL TEAMS TO WATCH IN 2015

ON THE COVER

SENIOR PITCHER-EDINBURG NORTH HIGH SCHOOL CAROLINA FLORES. “BASEBALL & SOFTBALL PREVIEW” (PHOTO BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR) DESIGN & PHOTO EDIT BY HECTOR OROZCO

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

956.270.4289 • HSSMLive.com 2806 W. Trenton Rd • Edinburg, TX

DAVID A. AMADOR

CESAR MONTALVO

Publisher & Sports Director

Sports Photographer

HECTOR OROZCO

RICHARD DAVIDSON

Art Director

Sports Photographer

ALEC AMADOR

GONZALO AGUAYO JR

Lead Sports Photographer

Advertising Executive

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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baseball is a

game of whispers

M

any baseball players are beginning to play this sport year-round. It’s a demanding sport which requires plenty of timing, training, conditioning, and above all, patience. Yes, patience. Think about it. A game that last seven innings in high school could end up being the longest game of any player’s life. The outfielders need to remain poise and ready to react to any ball that might be hit to them. The throw back to the infield, almost needs to perfect. The infielders play defense. These players become targets to line-drive balls; they also become targets to sliding cleats; worst, they become targets to flying bats that leaves or slips

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

the batters hands during the swing. Baseball is a tough sport. After the first inning, pitchers either walk off the mound with a “whew” or pure confidence. Pitchers either dominate the game or they just simply, lose it. Looking back, Adrian Alaniz (2007 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year) led the Texas Longhorns to the 2005 National Championship title by defeating Florida in two games. “I had a great college career,” says Alaniz. “But I loved pitching in high school.” Alaniz led his Sinton Pirates to the 2002 State 3A title with a perfect 17-0 record with a 1.50 era and 150 strikeouts as a junior. His senior season, Alaniz again, led his team back to the 2003 finals and pitched nine innings for a no-decision 4-3

win. The Pirates would lose to Lorena in the finals. He would end his high school career with a 48-1 record. Today, Alaniz is now a coaching assistant at the same high school he graduated from in 2003. Last year would be the first year that the Sinton Pirates would make it back to the State 3A Baseball Tournament. “This is incredible,” Alaniz told HSSM. “I am just so proud of how these guys as they fought back to beat Hidalgo.” Yes, the Sinton Pirates did beat Hidalgo last season in three games in the 2014 UIL 3A State Baseball Quarterfinals after Hidalgo had won the first game in Edinburg at UT-RGV Field. The next day, the Sinton Pirates came out swinging with Alaniz calling the pitches from the bench. “This felt like I was out there on the mound,” said Alaniz. The Sinton Pirates won Games 2&3 to advance to the state tournament at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in at the University of Texas-Austin, where Adrian used to play. Most importantly, where Adrian led his Longhorns to the National title. But, like in every game, a loss hurts. Hidalgo High School second-year head coach Karlos Carrasco watched his players get filled with emotions. He also watched one teammate, junior Alan Wilburn walk on over to hug pitcher junior Oscar Noguera. Both players were filled with emotions. Alaniz saw both players and he too, walked on over and whispered something to both players and then walked away. Whatever Adrian whispered to those two players that afternoon will be something that each player will never forget. The Hidalgo Pirates enter the 2015 season as the No.1 team in Class 4A by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association polls.


FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


NO.1 TEAM IN CLASS 4A THE HIDALGO PIRATES WILL FIELD SIX PITCHERS IN 2015 IN DISTRICT 32-4A. •

BOYS Baseball

GIRLS SOftball

1) Hidalgo 2) PSJA 3) Sharyland 4) WESLACO 5) Harlingen 6) McAllen 7) Rio Grande City 8) EDINBURG NORTH 9) PSJA NORTH 10) Edinburg H.S.

1) MERCEDES 2) EDINBURG NORTH 3) Los Fresnos 4) McAllen NIKKI ROWE 5) San Benito 6) McAllen 7) DONNA HS 8) Weslaco 9) Harlingen South 10) MCALLEN MEMORIAL

By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

he Mercedes High School Lady Tigers lost to Buda Hays in the Region IV Semifinals in 2014. Hays advanced to the UIL State Softball Tournament. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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Hidalgo pirate ace senior oscar noguera The Pirates could be the best team in Class 4A. •

By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

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FEBRUARY24, 24,2015 2015- -FEBRUARY MARCH 28, JANUARY 28,2015 2015


HERE ARE THE PREDICTIONS... BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


Another region IV finals ? Hidalgo head coach Karlos Carrasco and his staff will be favored to lead their team to the regional finals. •

By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports

Tough Loss! Hidalgo pitcher Allan Wilburn comforts Oscar Noguera after their loss to Sinton HS in the State 3A Regional Finals. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer)

Photographer

DID YOU KNOW?

Head Baseball Coaches Eliseo Pompa (McAllen HS), Tony Leal (Harlingen South), Eddie Serna (Weslaco HS), and La Joya’s Rueben Farias have more than 20-years of head baseball coaching at each school. •

t still hurts,” says Hidalgo High School head coach Karlos Carrasco. It’s the kind of painful memory that no coach wants to endure in the University Interscholastic League’s State Baseball playoffs. The Pirates experienced that hurt when they lost to Sinton in the 3A State Quarterfinals, losing in three games at Chapman Field in Calallen last season. The Pirates won the first game at UTPA Field 2-1 in extra innings and then fell flat then next day, losing 11-2, 5-2 to Sinton High School Pirates. They would advance to the state tournament with their longtime head coach Gene Kasprzyk before losing to Argyle 5-1 in the semifinals. College Station won the State 3A title with a win over Argyle 5-2 in eight innings. “We were so close. That’s what hurts the most,” says Carrasco. The Pirates enter the season as the No.1 ranked team by High School Sports Magazine’s Pre-Season polls and with ten returning lettermen, they should make another run at the state tournament set for June 10-13, 2015 at UFCU DischFalk at the University of Texas-Austin and Dell Diamond Field in Round Rock. The Pirates defeated Raymondville, Ingleside, Kingsville King, and La Vernia. Their season ended with Sinton. On the mound for Hidalgo will be seniors Allan Wilburn, Oscar Noguera, and Adrian Ruiz. Sophomore Raul Ortiz will give the Pirates a strong, four-man, pitching rotation that won 26 games last year. The Pirates won the the District 32-3A title last year and have since moved up to

(Hidalgo, Texas) Class 4A with the new realignments set by the UIL. Winning another district title will be challenging as they will face seven opponents. Grulla, Rio Hondo, Raymondville, Port Isabel, Zapata, La Feria, and Progreso now make up the new district. With the 2015 UIL Realignments, District 31-5A will be made up of Rio Grande City, Roma, Sharyland, Mission Veterans, Edinburg Vela High School, Valley View, and new Sharyland Pioneer. East of the Rio Grande Valley, District 32-5A will feature Donna, new Donna North High School, PSJA, PSJA Southwest, Brownsville Pace, Brownsville Porter, Mercedes, and Edcouch-Elsa High School. Both district should be interesting. Mercedes will enter the season with plenty of hopes under another head baseball coach after Bart Bickerton, who came over from Sharyland High School in 2014 left for Brownsville Porter. In his first season, Bickerton carried 21 players on his team and led the Tigers to a seventh place finish at 6-10 overall. Fourteen players return with seven pitchers bringing plenty of experience under new head coach Armando Reyes. With the new realignments, the Tigers will have to beat PSJA and Edcouch-Elsa, if they expect to win the district title. The Bears move down a classification after winning the Bi-District title last year against Harlingen in three games. The Yellowjackets ended the season at 7-9, ahead of Mercedes. In Class 6A, many fans have wondered what has happened to the Harlingen South Hawks since their 2007 State 5A final appearance? Head coach Tony Leal led

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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2014 UIL Baseball Playoff Results CLASS 5A BI-DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS Weslaco over Brownsville Hanna 10-4, 6-3 Laredo Alexander over Edinburg 11-0, 2-0 PSJA over Harlingen 3-8, 5-0, 10-5 La Joya Palmview over Del Rio 4-0, 13-8 Harlingen South over McAllen 6-3, 8-6 Eagle Pass over Sharyland 1-2, 3-0, 5-0 McAllen Rowe over Los Fresnos 4-1 Edinburg North over Laredo United 3-2, 4-2

AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS Eagle Pass over Harlingen South 3-2, 3-1 Edinburg North over McAllen Rowe 6-8, 5-3, 14-2 LJ Palmview over PSJA 2-0, 5-4 Laredo Alexander over Weslaco 10-9

REGIONAL-QUARTERFINALS Eagle Pass over Edinburg North 10-1, 7-0 Laredo Alexander over La Joya Palmview 1-0

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

CC Moody over Rio Grande City 12-0 CC Flour Bluff over Valley View 10-2, 6-0 CC Ray over Roma 1-0

CLASS 3A Bi-District Championships Hidalgo over Raymondville 15-5 Kingsville King over Rio Hondo 22-2, 22-3 Zapata over Port Isabel 18-1, 5-0 La Feria over Grulla 1-0, 6-5

AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS Devine over La Feria 4-3 Sinton over Zapata 11-0 Kingsville over Robstown 0-3, 5-3, 13-3 Hidalgo over Ingleside 10-0, 11-5

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS Hidalgo over Kingsville 3-2, 0-4, 14-0 Sinton over Devine 5-2, 6-2

REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

SA Reagan over Laredo Alexander 5-9, 2-0, 9-3 Eagle Pass over CC Carroll 2-1

Hidalgo over La Vernia 4-0, 5-3 Sinton over Yoakum 5-0, 7-5

REGION IV CHAMPIONSHIPS

REGION IV CHAMPIONSHIPS

SA Reagan over Eagle Pass 2-1

Sinton over Hidalgo 1-2, 11-2, 5-2

CLASS 4A Bi-District Championships Laredo Martin over Mission Veterans 9-7, 3-4, 9-8

his Hawks to Dell Diamond Field, site of the UIL State Baseball Championships, and defeated Midland in the semifinals and then lost to Cypress-Fair in the championship game 6-1. Since then, the Hawks and no other Rio Grande Valley team has seen Dell Diamond Field again. Can the Hawks make the trip in 2015? With ten starters back from a team that went 26-8 and 16-2 in district play, the Hawks could surprise some teams. Will they be tough to beat in District 32-6A? That remains a factor. Four pitchers return in the linemen with Jake Atkinson and Bobby Arias leading the team on the mound. In District 31-6A, Weslaco and PSJA North both get the nod as the top two teams in the district. Head coach Rene

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

The UIL All-Century Baseball Teams Third Base - Chris Davis, Longview Shortstop - Spike Owen, Cleburne Outfielder - Ben Grieve, Arlington Martin Outfielder - Michael Bourn, Houston Nimitz Outfielder - Jordan Danks, Round Rock

1ST TEAM Pitcher - Nolan Ryan, Alvin Pitcher - Roger Clemens, Spring Woods Catcher - Adam Dunn, New Caney First Base - Lance Berkman, New Braunfels Canyon Second Base - Chuck Knoblauch, Houston Bellaire Third Base - Kelly Gruber, Austin Westlake Shortstop - Ernie Banks, Dallas Washington Outfielder - Carl Crawford, Houston Outfielder - Brooks Kieschnick, Corpus Christi Carroll Outfielder - Hunter Pence, Arlington 2ND TEAM Pitcher - Adrian Alaniz, Sinton Pitcher - Josh Beckett, Spring Catcher - Taylor Teagarden, Carrollton Creekview First Base - Don Baylor, Austin High Second Base - Travis Tucker, Killeen Ellison

3RD TEAM Pitcher - Colt Molloy, Memphis Pitcher - David Clyde, Houston Westchester Catcher - Keith Moreland, Dallas Turner First Base - Jeff Ontiveros, Round Rock Second Base - Seth Johnston, Boerne Third Base - Scott Livingstone, Richardson Lake Highlands Shortstop - Craig Reynolds, Houston Reagan Outfielder - Ryan Langerhans, Round Rock Outfielder - Scott Podsednik, West Outfielder - Willie Upshaw, Blanco

Soza comes to PSJA North after being an assistant at Hidalgo. “We have plenty of players that are hungry and talented. I just need to make sure that we continue to work harder,” says Soza. Moving over to District 30-6A, after the UIL realignments, McAllen and longtime head coach Eliseo Pompa now know that his hands will be full when they now play La Joya High School, La Joya Palmview, and McAllen Nikki Rowe in district play. McAllen Memorial and Mission could show some improvement in 2015. This could be the toughest district in South Texas. Tournaments begin this week along with the A.N. “Tony” Rico Baseball Classic set for March 5-7th in Weslaco.

S

ince 1948 UIL State Baseball Final Appearances by Rio Grande Valley Teams:

• 1965 Brownsville High School lost to Dallas Samuel in the Class 4A Baseball Championships 14-0 • 1974 Mercedes lost to South Grand Prairie 9-1 in 3A Championship game • 2007 Harlingen South lost to Houston Cy-Fair 6-1 in 5A Championship game


FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


did you ? know The last time a 1948-1949

All Schools*

El Paso Bowie

Austin

3-2

1949-1950

All Schools*

Odessa

Abilene

2-1

1950-1951

All Schools*

Beaumont South Park

Dallas Highland Park

2-0

1951-1952

All Schools*

Houston Reagan

Crozier Technical

8-5

1952-1953

All Schools*

Fort Worth Polytechnic

Amarillo

4-1

1953-1954

All Schools*

Austin Travis

Dallas Highland Park

6-1

1954-1955

All Schools*

Paris

Abilene

2-1

All Schools*

1955-1956

Abilene

Dallas Highland Park

13-0

1956-1957

3A

Bryan

Cuero

6-2

1956-1957

4A

Abilene

Wichita Falls

9-2

1957-1958

3A

South San Antonio

Corsicana

11-3

1957-1958

4A

Austin

Lufkin

6-4

1958-1959

3A

South San Antonio

Odessa Ector

7-1

1958-1959

4A

Beaumont

Fort Worth Paschal

2-0

1959-1960

3A

Seguin

Snyder

3-0

1959-1960

4A

Houston Bellaire

San Antonio Harlandale

5-4

1960-1961

3A

South San Antonio

Paris

6-0

1960-1961

4A

Baytown

Lubbock Monterey

3-1

1961-1962

3A

El Campo

Seminole

4-1

1961-1962

4A

Houston Bellaire

Odessa

8-6

1962-1963

3A

South San Antonio

Fort Worth Castleberry

8-1

1962-1963

4A

Lufkin

Houston Bellaire

6-4

1963-1964

3A

South San Antonio

Brownfield

17-1

1963-1964

4A

Freeport Brazosport

Sherman

2-0

1964-1965

3A

Waxahachie

Alvin

6-3

1964-1965

4A

Dallas Samuell

Brownsville

14-0

1965-1966

3A

South San Antonio

Dumas

1-0

1965-1966

4A

Freeport Brazosport

San Antonio MacArthur

6-1

1966-1967

3A

South San Antonio

Beaumont Forest Park

3-0

1966-1967

4A

Corpus Christi King

Abilene Cooper

1-0

1967-1968

3A

El Campo

Lamesa

3-0

1967-1968

4A

San Antonio Highlands

Pasadena

3-1

1968-1969

3A

Taylor

Andrews

3-0

1968-1969

4A

Houston Lamar

Midland Lee

1-0

1969-1970

3A

Brenham

Dumas

11-2

1969-1970

4A

Houston Aldine

Houston Bellaire

4-0

1970-1971

3A

Dumas

Taylor

4-0

Rio Grande Valley team played in the UIL State Baseball Tournament was back in 2007. The Harlingen South Hawks lost o Houston Cy-Field 6-1 in the championship game. •

Porter Ace! Daniel Alvarado, only a sophomore, will lead his Brownsville Porter team with new head coach Bart Bickerton. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer) Big Bulldogs! The McAllen High School baseball team will now compete in District 30-6A after the new UIL Realignments. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer)

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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YEAR

WINNING SCHOOL

OPPONENT SCHOOL

SCORE

1970-1971

CONFERENCE 4A

Houston Bellaire

Lubbock Monterey

5-4

1971-1972

3A

Taylor

Kilgore

4-0

1971-1972

4A

Lubbock Monterey

Houston Bellaire

2-1

1972-1973

3A

La Grange

Brenham

3-1

1972-1973

4A

Midland

Houston Westchester

3-1

1973-1974

3A

South Grand Prairie

Mercedes

9-1

1973-1974

4A

Lubbock Monterey

Houston Spring Woods

4-2

1974-1975

3A

Brenham

Sinton

3-0

1974-1975

4A

Duncanville

South San Antonio

6-3

1975-1976

3A

Brenham

South Grand Prairie

5-4

1975-1976

4A

Duncanville

South San Antonio

2-0

1976-1977

3A

Uvalde

Pecos

9-1

1976-1977

4A

Houston Sharpstown

Duncanville

6-1

1977-1978

3A

Mount Pleasant

Burkburnett

5-2

1948-1949

All Schools*

El Paso Bowie

Austin

3-2

1949-1950

All Schools*

Odessa

Abilene

2-1

1950-1951

All Schools*

Beaumont South Park

Dallas Highland Park

2-0

1951-1952

All Schools*

Houston Reagan

Crozier Technical

8-5

1952-1953

All Schools*

Fort Worth Polytechnic

Amarillo

4-1

1953-1954

All Schools*

Austin Travis

Dallas Highland Park

6-1

1954-1955

All Schools*

Paris

Abilene

2-1

1955-1956

All Schools*

Abilene

Dallas Highland Park

13-0

1956-1957

3A

Bryan

Cuero

6-2

1956-1957

4A

Abilene

Wichita Falls

9-2

1957-1958

3A

South San Antonio

Corsicana

11-3

1957-1958

4A

Austin

Lufkin

6-4

1958-1959

3A

South San Antonio

Odessa Ector

7-1

1958-1959

4A

Beaumont

Fort Worth Paschal

2-0

1959-1960

3A

Seguin

Snyder

3-0

1959-1960

4A

Houston Bellaire

San Antonio Harlandale

5-4

1960-1961

3A

South San Antonio

Paris

6-0

1960-1961

4A

Baytown

Lubbock Monterey

3-1

1961-1962

3A

El Campo

Seminole

4-1

1961-1962

4A

Houston Bellaire

Odessa

8-6

1962-1963

3A

South San Antonio

Fort Worth Castleberry

8-1

1962-1963

4A

Lufkin

Houston Bellaire

6-4

1963-1964

3A

South San Antonio

Brownfield

17-1

1963-1964

4A

Freeport Brazosport

Sherman

2-0

1964-1965

3A

Waxahachie

Alvin

6-3

1964-1965

4A

Dallas Samuell

Brownsville

14-0

1965-1966

3A

South San Antonio

Dumas

1-0

1965-1966

4A

Freeport Brazosport

San Antonio MacArthur

6-1

1966-1967

3A

South San Antonio

Beaumont Forest Park

3-0

1966-1967

4A

Corpus Christi King

Abilene Cooper

1-0

1967-1968

3A

El Campo

Lamesa

3-0

1967-1968

4A

San Antonio Highlands

Pasadena

3-1

1968-1969

3A

Taylor

Andrews

3-0

1968-1969

4A

Houston Lamar

Midland Lee

1-0

1969-1970

3A

Brenham

Dumas

11-2

1969-1970

4A

Houston Aldine

Houston Bellaire

4-0

1970-1971

3A

Dumas

Taylor

4-0

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

Pirates landing? Hidalgo defeated La Vernia in two games in the Class 3A Region IV Semifinals in 2014. •

By Alec Amador HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

making changes

Bart Bickerton Led the Sharyland Rattlers to numerous of district titles and is now at BROWNSVILLE PORTER High School. •


The PSJA Bears will now compete in District 32-5A. Sophomore pitcher Enrique Rubio will be on the mound in 2015. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photgrapher) Harlingen High School will now compete in District 32-6A. The Cardinals are coached by Bryan Aughney. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer)

Diving Catch!

The Rayondville Bearkats advanced to the State 3A playoffs in 2014. They could make another state run in 2015. (HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer)

YEAR

CONFERENCE

WINNING SCHOOL

OPPONENT SCHOOL

SCORE

1970-1971

4A

Houston Bellaire

Lubbock Monterey

5-4

1971-1972

3A

Taylor

Kilgore

4-0

1971-1972

4A

Lubbock Monterey

Houston Bellaire

2-1

1972-1973

3A

La Grange

Brenham

3-1

1972-1973

4A

Midland

Houston Westchester

3-1

1973-1974

3A

South Grand Prairie

Mercedes

9-1

1973-1974

4A

Lubbock Monterey

Houston Spring Woods

4-2

1974-1975

3A

Brenham

Sinton

3-0

1974-1975

4A

Duncanville

South San Antonio

6-3

1975-1976

3A

Brenham

South Grand Prairie

5-4

1975-1976

4A

Duncanville

1976-1977

3A

Uvalde

Pecos

9-1

1976-1977

4A

Houston Sharpstown

Duncanville

6-1

1977-1978

3A

Mount Pleasant

Burkburnett

5-2

1977-1978

4A

Houston Bellaire

Lubbock Monterey

6-4

1978-1979

1A

Riviera Kaufer

Ore City

9-3

1978-1979

2A

Kermit

Winnie East Chambers

3-1

1978-1979

3A

De Soto

Cleburne

2-1

1978-1979

4A

Spring

Baytown Sterling

1-0

1978-1979

B

Palmer

Colmesneil

6-3

1979-1980

1A

Waskom

Falls City

13-0

1979-1980

2A

Linden-Kildare

La Grange

8-7

1979-1980

3A

Austin Westlake

De Soto

11-10

1979-1980

4A

Pearland

San Antonio Roosevelt

9-4

1979-1980

B

Colmesneil

Palmer

8-0

1980-1981

1A

Bremond

Palmer

13-3

1980-1981

2A

Shiner

Waskom

3-2

1980-1981

3A

Somerset

Bowie

5-2

1980-1981

4A

South San Antonio West

Lubbock Estacado

3-2

1980-1981

5A

Lubbock Monterey

Pearland

7-3

1981-1982

1A

Palmer

Burton

11-4

1981-1982

2A

Southlake Carroll

Pineland West Sabine

7-3

1981-1982

3A

Crockett

Midlothian

8-6

1981-1982

4A

El Campo

Weatherford

9-7

1981-1982

5A

Houston Sharpstown

Fort Worth Southwest

8-7

1982-1983

1A

Valley Mills

Cayuga

12-0

1982-1983

2A

Pollok Central

Gladewater Union Grove

9-1

1982-1983

3A

Kenedy

La Grange

3-2

1982-1983

4A

Snyder

De Soto

13-4

1982-1983

5A

Port Arthur Jefferson

Corpus Christi Moody

6-1

1983-1984

1A

Prosper

Runge

18-7

1983-1984

2A

Ore City

Dripping Springs

5-4

1983-1984

3A

Odem

Fort Worth Lake Worth

13-8

1983-1984

4A

Austin Westlake

De Soto

9-3

1983-1984

5A

Freeport Brazoswood

Houston Cy-Fair

5-3

1984-1985

1A

Colmesneil

Fayetteville

12-0

1984-1985

2A

Riviera Kaufer

Coppell

8-1

1984-1985

3A

Sweeny

Linden Kildare

6-3

1984-1985

4A

De Soto

New Braunfels Canyon

7-2

1984-1985

5A

Victoria Stroman

Pasadena Rayburn

3-0

1985-1986

1A

Colmesneil

Archer City

11-1

South San Antonio

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

2-0

17


YEAR

CONFERENCE

WINNING SCHOOL

OPPONENT SCHOOL

1985-1986

2A

Riviera Kaufer

Frankston

SCORE 10-2

1985-1986

3A

Pattonville Prairiland

Brownfield

7-4

1985-1986

4A

Brenham

Mercedes

6-1

1985-1986

5A

Houston Bellaire

Round Rock Westwood

7-4

1986-1987

1A

Burton

High Island

7-4

1986-1987

2A

China Spring

Three Rivers

6-0

1986-1987

3A

San Augustine

Hooks

6-4

1986-1987

4A

Brenham

Fort Worth Brewer

12-3

1986-1987

5A

Abilene Cooper

San Antonio MacArthur

13-3

1987-1988

1A

Apple Springs

Maud

11-6

1987-1988

2A

Shelbyville

Blanco

11-1

1987-1988

3A

Sinton

Waco La Vega

4-0

1987-1988

4A

Brenham

Waxahachie

11-5

1987-1988

5A

Abilene Cooper

Round Rock Westwood

7-4

1988-1989

1A

Maud

Pettus

6-1

1988-1989

2A

China Spring

Shelbyville

4-3

1988-1989

3A

Sinton

San Augustine

2-1

1988-1989

4A

Paris

Austin Anderson

11-8

1988-1989

5A

Sugar Land Dulles

Corpus Christi Carroll

4-1

1989-1990

1A

Colmesneil

D’Hanis

1989-1990

2A

Gilmer Harmony

Holliday

8-5

1989-1990

3A

Freer

Southlake Carroll

13-11

1989-1990

4A

Carthage

Robstown

9-3

1989-1990

5A

Duncanville

Deer Park

6-5

1990-1991

1A

Valley Mills

Gunter

10-2

1990-1991

2A

Van Horn

Schulenburg

7-3

1990-1991

3A

Falfurrias

Queen City

5-2

1990-1991

4A

Robstown

West Mesquite

7-6

1990-1991

5A

League City Clear Creek

Klein Oak

8-2

1991-1992

1A

Valley Mills

Flatonia

9-4

YEAR

CONFERENCE

WINNING SCHOOL

1991-1992

2A

Shiner

China Spring

5-4

1995-1996

3A

Crockett

Graham

1991-1992

3A

Queen City

Bellville

4-3

1995-1996

4A

Fort Worth Arlington Heights

Orange Little Cyp-Mauriceville 14-0

1991-1992

4A

Robstown

Bridge City

10-1

1995-1996

5A

Lubbock Monterey

Klein Oak

5-4

1991-1992

5A

Freeport Brazoswood

South San Antonio

5-1

1996-1997

1A

Fayetteville

Spurger

6-2

1992-1993

1A

Flatonia

Ponder

2-1

1996-1997

2A

Weimar

Alto

9-2

1992-1993

2A

China Spring

Boling

13-0

1996-1997

3A

Hallettsville

Castroville Medina Valley

6-3

1992-1993

3A

Bellville

Falfurrias

6-2

1996-1997

4A

Fort Worth Boswell

Dallas Highland Park

3-0

1992-1993

4A

Mount Pleasant

Wolfforth Frenship

3-2

1996-1997

5A

Round Rock

Lubbock Monterey

7-1

1992-1993

5A

Arlington Martin

Abilene Cooper

8-0

1997-1998

1A

Thrall

Collinsville

10-3

1993-1994

1A

Gunter

Trinidad

9-4

1997-1998

2A

Gunter

Rosebud-Lott

7-0

1993-1994

2A

East Bernard

Pineland West Sabine

5-0

1997-1998

3A

Atlanta

Dripping Springs

7-4

1993-1994

3A

Orange Grove

Alpine

10-0

1997-1998

4A

Dallas Highland Park

Corpus Christi Calallen

5-2

1993-1994

4A

Belton

Big Spring

4-0

1997-1998

5A

Klein

Sugar Land Elkins

2-0

1993-1994

5A

Houston Bellaire

Corpus Christi Moody

2-1

1998-1999

1A

Collinsville

Cross Plains

6-5

1994-1995

1A

D’Hanis

Corsicana Mildred

7-4

1998-1999

Cooper

Kingsville Academy

8-7

1994-1995

2A

East Bernard

Pilot Point

14-2

1998-1999 3A West Liberty 9-7

1994-1995

3A

Hallettsville

Luling

6-2

1998-1999

4A

Andrews

Corpus Christi Calallen

4-3

1994-1995

4A

Coppell

Lamesa

12-2

1998-1999

5A

Houston Bellaire

Duncanville

13-2

1994-1995

5A

Sugar Land Elkins

Lubbock Coronado

6-0

1999-2000 1A Evadale Cross Plains 11-10

1995-1996

1A

Thorndale

Spurger

7-5

1999-2000 2A Weimar Colmesneil 7-1

1995-1996

2A

Weimar

Gilmer Harmony

4-0

1999-2000 3A China Spring Yoakum 4-1

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

Contending for district title? Valley View HS will compete in District 315A and will be favored to make the playoffs. •

18

By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

2A

OPPONENT SCHOOL

SCORE 8-6


YEAR

WINNING SCHOOL

OPPONENT SCHOOL

SCORE

5A

Corpus Christi Moody

Lewisville Flower Mound

6-1

2004-2005

1A

Thorndale

Harleton

10-5

2004-2005

2A

Woodville

Holliday

2-1

2004-2005

3A

Carthage

Lubbock Cooper

6-1

2004-2005

4A

Corpus Christi Calallen

Waco Midway

10-3

2004-2005

5A

Humble Kingwood

Rockwall

10-5

2005-2006

1A

Anderson-Shiro

Gilmer Union Hill

9-8

2003-2004

2A

Brock

Hughes Springs

7-4

2005-2006

3A

Texarkana Liberty-Eylau

Falfurrias

2-1

2005-2006

4A

New Braunfels

Fort Worth Arlington

4-1

2005-2006

5A

Conroe The Woodlands

Katy

5-3

2006-2007

1A

Archer City

New Deal

6-2

2006-2007

2A

Rogers

Hooks

8-4

2006-2007

3A

Jasper

Liberty Eylau

14-4

2006-2007

4A

CC Moody

Mesquite Poteet

9-1

2006-2007

5A

Cy-Fair

Harlingen South

6-1

2007-2008

1A

Bosqueville

Flatonia

10-3

2007-2008

2A

Salado

Corsicana Mildred

12-8

2007-2008

3A

Snyder

Pleasant Grove

3-2

2007-2008

4A

Corpus Christi Calallen

Waxahachie

11-1

2007-2008

5A

Plano West

Southlake Carroll

10-8

2008-2009

1A

Miles

Windthorst

4-3

2008-2009

2A

Danbury

Holliday

6-5

2008-2009

3A

Carthage

Giddings

5-2

2008-2009

4A

Texarkana Texas

Corpus Christi Moody

4-3

2008-2009

5A

El Paso Socorro

Lufkin

12-7

WarDogs!

2009-2010

1A

Windthorst

Evadale

11-1

(HSSM Sports/Alec Amador Lead Photographer)

2009-2010

2A

Rogers

Bushland

6-1

2007-2008

3A

Texarkana Pleasant Grove

Giddings

2-0

2009-2010

4A

Brenham

Corpus Christi Calallen

2-1

5A

Corpus Christi Carroll

Klein

5-2 7-2

San Benito High School will move over to District 32-6A with Ram Partida leading the Greyhounds.

YEAR

CONFERENCE

2003-2004

CONFERENCE

WINNING SCHOOL

OPPONENT SCHOOL

SCORE

1999-2000

4A

Corpus Christi Calallen

Port Neches-Groves

8-6

2009-2010

1999-2000

5A

Conroe The Woodlands

Corpus Christi Moody

3-2

2010-2011

1A

Johnson City Johnson

Blue Ridge

2000-2001 1A Bremond Brock 4-2

2010-2011

2A

Cameron Yoe

Nacogdoches Central Heights 7-3

2000-2001 2A Weimar Elysian Fields 6-5

2010-2011

3A

Kennedale

Robinson

5-1

2000-2001 3A La Grange Forney 4-3

2010-2011

4A

Wichita Falls Rider

Corpus Christi Calallen

6-2

2000-2001

2010-2011

5A

Clute Brazoswood

Lubbock Coronado

10-3

2000-2001 5A Midland Austin 4-2

2011-2012

1A

Fayetteville

Stamford

10-0

2001-2002 1A Shiner McLeod 5-3

2011-2012

2A

Jarrell

Bushland

9-2

2001-2002 2A Celina Holliday 7-5

2011-2012

3A

Texarkana Pleasant Grove

West

4-0

2001-2002

3A

Sinton

Forney

5-0

2011-2012

4A

Rockwall Heath

Cleburne

10-1

2001-2002

4A

Southlake Carroll

Corpus Christi Calallen

11-4

2011-2012

5A

Houston Cypress Ranch

College Station A&M Cons.

4-1

1A

Price Carlisle

Stamford

6-1

4A

Fort Worth Western Hills

Carthage

12-7

2001-2002

5A

Fort Bend Elkins

Austin Bowie 8-3

11-4

2012-2013

2002-2003

1A

Colmesneil

D’Hanis

5-0

2012-2013

2A

Hallettsville

Hughes Springs

4-2

2002-2003

2A

Weimar

Holliday

9-0

2012-2013

3A

La Grange

Texarkana Pleasant Grove

10-2

4A

Tomball

Corpus Christi Moody

6-1

2002-2003

3A

Lorena

Sinton

3-2

2012-2013

2002-2003

4A

Hewitt Midway

Denton Ryan

3-1

2012-2013

5A

Conroe The Woodlands

Fort Bend Dulles

9-5

1A

Douglass

Flatonia

10-0

2002-2003

5A

Fort Bend Elkins

Round Rock

5-4

2013-2014

2003-2004

1A

Shiner

Follett

13-3

2013-2014

2A

Sunnyvale

Troy

13-3

2003-2004

2A

Nacogdoches Central Heights Ponder

4-1

2013-2014

3A

College Station

Argyle

5-2

4A

Aledo

Victoria East

4-0

5A

Lewisville Flower Mound

San Antonio Reagan

10-0

2003-2004

3A

La Grange

Forney

10-4

20132-2014

2003-2004

4A

Boerne

Denton Ryan

5-1

2013-2014

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

19


20

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


BY DAVID A. AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

THE RAIDERS BASEBALL PROGRAM HAS MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, OR 2013. “IT’S ALL ABOUT TEACHING THIS GAME OF BASEBALL AND ONE DAY YOU WILL TEACH SOMEONE ELSE BASEBALL. EVEN YOUR OWN KIDS,” SAYS SOZA. HSSM: As the the new head baseball coach at PSJA North High School, what can you bring to this program?

the theory of baseball will develop any player into great ones.

Soza: There is plenty of rich, baseball tradition here at PSJA North High School. Fans expect success, players want success, and so do I. It’s what I love and it’s what I do. I love coaching.

HSSM: How long have you been around this game you love so much?

HSSM: How many baseball games have you won in your career? Soza: My overall record is 102 wins and 56 losses. HSSM: Who has influenced you in your coaching career? Soza: Good question. I have been very fortunate. Back in 1971 Ricky Solis was the relief pitcher for the University of Texas-Pan American and the starting pitcher was Lupe Salinas. These guys made it to the NCAA College World Series that season. I was coached by Solis when I was in the Pony League. Another mentor was head coach Hector Salinas at Texas Southmost in Brownsville and of course, Al Ogletree from UTPA. He is now the winningest coach in NCAA Baseball. HSSM: How tough is it to play college sports? Soza: It requires a lot of discipline. I played catcher during my college days. I was only 5’7 and weighed 165lbs. But, I understood the game of strength and conditioning. The mental part of the game was even more important. HSSM: In high school, do players understand what it takes to win? Soza: Yes and no. Some players just want things given to them without putting in the extra efforts. While other players want to develop into becoming great students of the game. Nowadays, players play on select teams and forget about the discipline it takes to make it in high school. HSSM: What is the difference in high school verses playing on select teams? Soza: There is a theory of baseball. You must understand the pitch count, coaches must know the player, and defense is so important. The competition keeps growing with select ball and understanding

Soza: Since I was four years old. I grew up and played played at Bishop High School and was the starting catcher and pitcher. In college, I played at Texas Southmost in Brownsville-Team and became the team captain. I also was recruited by UTPA and we were the last team to play in the 1986 NCAA baseball playoffs. That year we played Tulane and Texas and went 0-2. HSSM: How did you feel playing those teams? Soza: It was the best feeling ever. To play against Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas, was just unimaginable. We had the desire to win and play. HSSM: Is that what you will try to bring to North High School? Last season, you were an assistant at 4A Hidalgo when they went to the state quarterfinals. Soza: And we can do the same thing here and go even further too. HSSM: How? Soza: It’s a matter of trying to find what’s best and bring the fundamentals of baseball back to the dugout.

for the record Soza’s 102 wins & 56 losses.

HSSM: So, who has inspired you the most?

By David Amador

Soza: My Dad. He never knew much about this game but taught me to work endless hours to become who I wanted to be.

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer

HSSM: Have a great season. Soza: Thanks Tddave.

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

21


SOFTballStandingsGIRLS

BasEballStandings BOYS District 32-2A

Season 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

San Isidro San Perlita Santa Maria Lasara La Villa Riviera Kaufer Bruni

District 32-4A

Season 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Hidalgo E.C. La Feria Progreso Rio Hondo Raymondville Grulla Zapata Port Isabel

District 32-5A

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 31-6A

Season

Weslaco Edinburg PSJA North Weslaco East Edinburg North Ed. Economedes PSJA Memorial

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

22

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Season

Donna Brownsville Pace PSJA Edcouch-Elsa Brownsville Porter Mercedes PSJA Southwest Donna North

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 32-3A

Season

Santa Rosa Lyford Brownsville Frontier Edinburg Idea Quest Monte Alto

00 00 00 00 00

District 31-5A

Season

Edinburg Vela Mission Veterans Sharyland Roma Valley View Sharyland Pioneer Rio Grande City

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 30-6A

Season

McAllen Memorial McAllen La Joya Palmview La Joya Mission McAllen Rowe LJ Juarez-Lincoln

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 32-6A Brownsv. Hanna Brwnsv. Veterans San Benito Harlingen South Harlingen Los Fresnos Brownsv. Rivera Brownsv. Lopez

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Season 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 32-2A

Season 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

San Perlita La Villa Lasara San Isidro Santa Maria Rivera Kaufer Bruni

District 32-4A

Season 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Rio Hondo La Feria Zapata Port Isabel Hidalgo Grulla Raymondville Progreso

District 32-5A

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 31-6A

Season

PSJA North Weslaco East Edinburg Ed. Economedes Weslaco East Edinburg North PSJA Memorial

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Season

Mercedes Donna PSJA Brownsville Pace PSJA Southwest Donna North Brownsville Porter Edcouch-Elsa

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 32-3A

Season

Edinburg IDEA Lyford Santa Rosa Brownsville IDEA Monte Alto

00 00 00 00 00

District 31-5A

Season

Edinburg Vela Mission Veterans Roma Sharyland Rio Grande City Valley View Sharyland Pioneer

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 30-6A

Season

McAllen Rowe La Joya Palmview McAllen Memorial LJ Juarez-Lincoln McAllen La Joya Mission

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 32-6A

Season

Harlingen Brwnsv. Veterans Harlingen South Brownsv. Hanna Los Fresnos San Benito Brownsv. Rivera Brownsv. Lopez

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00

District 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00


FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

23


Ohhh

dalilah! She will lead the Top-ranked Mercedes Lady Tigers in District 32-5A. •

By ALEC AMADOR HSSM Sports LEAD Photographer

24

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR • HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

25


................................ SHE WAS ALMOST UNTOUCHABLE WITH A 1.22 ERA WITH 278 STRIKEOUTS AND 33 WALKS AS THE LADY TIGERS WON THE DISTRICT 32-4A TITLE. ................................ She could be the pitcher that the Lady Tigers will need if they expect to make it to the UIL State Softball Tournament. The University Interscholastic League realigned the state’s enrollment and now, the Rio Grande Valley will feature two 5A districts with Mercedes moving into District 32-5A, comprised of eight teams. Brownsville Pace, Porter, Edcouch-Elsa, PSJA, PSJA Southwest, Donna, Donna North, and the Lady Tigers will all compete in the same district. Expect EdcouchElsa, Brownsville Porter, and Mercedes to contend for the outright title. The Lady Tigers defeated

26

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

(Mercedes, Tx) osing to the State 4A girls softball semifinalist, Buda Hays did not sit well with Mercedes High School head softball Veronica Morrell in 2014. The Lady Tigers easily defeated Hays 4-1 in the first game at Sinton High School but the next day, Morrell watched her team lose 4-0, 3-1. “That was a tough loss,” said Morrell. “We just gave up too many opportunities.” Junior pitcher, Dalilah Barrera returns on the mound for the Lady Tigers after capturing 24 wins and just four losses as a sophomore.

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

Joanna Gonzalez

Andreah Ruiz

The Lady Greyhounds advanced to the State 5A Region IV Regional Quarters in 2014. Can they do it again in 2015? San Benito is the only team to ever play in the state tournament. _______________________________

Plays catcher and third base for the Lady Cougars. Can head coach Richard Tressler lead his team to the State 6A State Tournament in Austin, Texas this year? _______________________________

san benito

DISTRICT 32-6A: HANNA, RIVERA, LOPEZ, VETERANS MEMORIAL, HARLINGEN, HARLINGEN SOUTH, SAN BENITO, LOS FRESNOS _______________________________

edinburg north

DISTRICT 31-6A: EDINBURG NORTH, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES, EDINBURG HS, WESLACO, WESLACO HS, PSJA NORTH, PSJA MEMORIAL. THE LADY COUGARS ARE THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS. _______________________________

The Mercedes Lady Tigers will now move to District 32-5A after the new realignments. They are the defending district champions. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


Anika Garza

roma

Monica Rubio

Tianna Sandoval, RF

The Lady Lobos will be much improved in 2015. Can they make the playoffs? _______________________________

The Lady Bobcats advanced three rounds in the State 3A playoffs in 2014. The Lady Bobcats enter the season as the team to beat in District 32-4A. _______________________________

DISTRICT 32-5A: RIVERA, HANNA, BROWNSVILLE VETERANS, BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ, LOS FRESNOS, SAN BENITO, HARLINGEN, HARLINGEN SOUTH

DISTRICT 32-4A: RIO HONDO, RAYMONDVILLE, PORT ISABEL, LA FERIA, RAYMONVDILLE, ZAPATA, PROGRESO, HIDALGO, AND GRULLA HS

brownsville lopez

Starting catcher of the Lady Gladiators in 2015. Roma will be much improved and will play in a new district after the realignments. _______________________________

DISTRICT 31-5A: ROMA, RIO GRANDE CITY, VALLEY VIEW, SHARYLAND, SHARYLAND PIONEER, MISSION VETERANS, AND EDINBURG VELA HS.

_______________________________

_______________________________

rio hondo

_______________________________

.......................................................................................................................................................................... Alice, Victoria East, Corpus Christi Moody in the 4A playoffs before losing to the Buda Hays Rebels. The Lady Jackets made the playoffs and lost in the first round to Corpus Christi Moody in two games 11-2, 9-3. Both Edcouch-Elsa and Mercedes will have their work cutout for them as they will face the Lady Cowgirls in district play. They moved down a classification from 6A to 5A with the new realignments. The Porter Cowgirls knocked off McAllen Nikki Rowe in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs in 2014 but lost to Edinburg North

photography By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

26-6, 3-0 in a two-game sweep. Returning for the Lady Yellowjackets will be eight lettermen including junior pitchers Miranda Acevedo and Sarah Rodriguez. The infield will return first baseman Stephanie Rodriguez, second basemen Teresa Gomez, and third baseman Janie Herrera. Last season the Lady Jackets scored 154 runs and had an impressive batting team average of .382. Their fielding percentage was .825 which made them tough on defense. In District 31-5A, the other newly created district will feature two Sharyland

teams that could face District 32-5A in the playoffs. Mission High School coach by longtime icon, Iris Iglesias takes her team to 6A and knows that this year will be challenging. Sharyland, Sharyland Pioneer, Rio Grande City, Roma, Valley View, Mission Veterans, Edinburg Vela, will all compete for the district title. As for the Lady Eagles? “It’s always important to be the number one seed in the state playoffs,” says Iglesias. “It gives any team an opportunity to advance to the next round.” The

The Edinburg North Lady Cougars advanced to the State 5A Region IV semifinals softball tournament in 2012. They lost to San Antonio Holmes 8-3, 7-6 in 2012.

Did you know?

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

27


28

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

29


Bi-District Champions! The Raymondville Lady Bearkats defeated Hidalgo in the first round of the State 3A playoffs. Both teams should make another playoff run in Class 4A. (HSSMImages/Tddave)

30

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

Gotcha! The McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs will be favored to compete for the District 30-6A title while Los Fresnos is favored to win the District 32-6A title in 2015. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


Sandra Guzman

Taylor Gomez-Right Fielder

Esmer Cuellar, First Baseman

The Grulla Gators are just beginning to build its softball program. They will bring alot of pride to their district in 2015. _______________________________

The Lady Bravettes will be the surprise team in 2015 as the drop down a classification. The Bravettes are coming off a great performance last week at the Donna ISD Softball Tournament. _______________________________

The Lady Huskies will now compete in a new district with new expectations. Can they make the playoffs in 2015? Can they adjust to Class 6A? _______________________________

donna

grulla

DISTRICT 32-4A: GRULLA, RIO HONDO, PORT ISABEL, ZAPATA, PROGRESO, RAYMONDVILLE, HIDALGO, LA FERIA

DISTRICT 32-5A: DONNA, DONNA NORTH, BROWNSVILLE PACE, BROWNSVILLE PORTER, MERCEDES, PSJA, EDCOUCH-ELSA, AND PSJA SOUTHWEST.

_______________________________

_______________________________ Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots finished in second place last season and were able to beat Corpus Christy Ray 8-3 in the first round but the second round was marred by a two-game sweep by Medina Valley 10-0, 6-1. Mission finished in third place and lost to Corpus Christi Flour Bluff 7-3 in the Class 4A Bi-District Championships. Sharyland and Edinburg Vela, both competed in Class 5A with the Lady Rattlers winning the first round before losing to San Benito in the area

playoffs. Vela dropped its playoff opener to Eagle Pass. Both teams have since moved down from the new 6A Division and will now compete in the 5A Division. If there is any indication as to which 6A team will be granted the No.1 ranking, Edinburg North head coach Richard Tressler would love to secure that spot if it only meant a guaranteed spot in the UIL State 6A Softball Tournament set to begin June 3-6th at the Red & Charline McCombs Field at the University of Texas at Austin. The Lady Cougars

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

_______________________________

had much to be thankful for after Tressler under went a triple-bypass operation in 2013. “It almost got me,” said an emotional Tressler. “I thank God everyday for giving me another chance to live.” Now, before the game and after the game, Tressler walks to the outfield for a moment to give thanks to God. “I love this game of softball and I want to be here for a long time,” he said. The Lady Cougars went 29-6 and captured the District 31-5A title with an impressive 15-1 record. They also won the

The Edinburg Lady Bobcats advanced to the State 5A Region IV semifinals softball tournament in 2010 & 2012. They lost to San Antonio O’Connor 15-0, 3-0.

By Alec Amador

DISTRICT 30-6A: LA JOYA JUAREZLINCOLN, LA JOYA PALMVIEW, LA JOYA HS, MISSION, MCALLEN, MCALLEN MEMORIAL, AND MCALLEN NIKKI ROWE.

photography •

juarez-lincoln

Did you know?

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

31


32

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

33


The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons will compete in District 32-6A. The advanced to the RegionalQuarterfinals in 2014. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

34

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

New District 31-5A. The Sharyland Lady Rattlers will move down to Class 5A from 6A as head coach Paul Cruz gets his team ready for 2015. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)


Ashley Garcia

Cecily Niles, senior

Elindsvey De Leon

The Lady Rattlers will begin the 2015 season in a new district and will move down a classification. after playing in the larger classification, it will only get tougher in 5A softball. The Lady Rattlers are coming off a bi-district title in 2014. _______________________________

A captain on the team and will be one of the leading hitters in district. The Lady Tarpons will play in one of the toughest districts in South Texas. Can they make the playoffs in 2015? _______________________________

She will lead the Lady Jags at third base this year. After the new realignments, this district only gets tougher with plenty of playoff teams with experience. _______________________________

sharyland

port isabel

DISTRICT 32-4A: LA FERIA, HIDALGO, PROGRESO, PORT ISABEL, RIO HONDO, ZAPATA, GRULLA, AND RAYMONDVILLE

DISTRICT 32-5A: EDINBURG VELA, SHARYLAND, SHARYLAND PIONEER, VALLEY VIEW, ROMA, RIO GRANDE CITY, MISSION VETERANS.

_______________________________

economedes

DISTRICT 31-6A: EDINBURG, ECONOMEDES, EDINBURG NORTH, WESLACO, WESLACO EAST, PSJA NORTH, PSJA MEMORIAL. _______________________________

_______________________________

Bi-District title with a win over Eagle Pass Winn and captured the area championship title by knocking off Brownsville Porter 26-6, 3-0. Jackie Longoria, now a sophomore, returns with her impressive 15-2 overall record, with 85 strikeouts and 47 walks. She surrendered 91 hits in 111.1 innings and head coach Tressler talks about Longoria’s her maturity in 2015. “She will be the player to watch in 2015. She has worked hard this past off-season,” says Tressler. In the playoffs, he watched his team lose to Eagle Pass

By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

Los Fresnos 15-4, 2-8, 11-4. After a 12-4 district finish, head coach Jesse Banda will coach sixteen players on the Lady Bobcats team in 2015 with plenty of experience coming back. Eight players return, including sophomore pitcher Desi Marmolejo. She will be the go-to pitcher for the Lady Bobcats along with senior pitcher Gina Garza, sophomore Rebecca Delgado, Natalie Perales. Moving into the district are newcomers, Weslaco with seniors, pitcher Melissa Menchaca, first baseman Kelsey

photography •

in three games to end their state title run in 2014 in the third round. “That was hard to swallow. We were better than that,” adds Tressler. The new realignments have put District 31-6A into a very competitive district with teams Weslaco, Weslaco East, Edinburg, Edinburg Economedes, PSJA North, and PSJA Memorial. The Lady Bobcats, like the Lady Cougars made the playoffs last season. The Lady Bobcats defeated Laredo Johnson 9-10, 10-7, 15-0 in the 5A Bi-District Championships before falling to

The San Benito Lady Greyhounds advanced to the State 5A Region IV finals softball tournament in 2011 and became the only team to make it to the UIL State Tournament in 2013. They lost to Lewisville 5-2 in the semifinals. Lewsville won the title.

For the record:

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DANNY YBARRA CONSTRUCTION A BUILDER YOU CAN TRUST

15 Years of Experience DANNY YBARRA OWNER

(956) 459-9317

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5540 Camino De La Tierra • Brownsville, Texas

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


Skyler Macias

Ester Casarez

Sarah rodriguez

The Lady Cardinals will have their hands full with Los Fresnos and San Benito. The Lady Cardinals will be young in 2015. ______________________________

Always a powerhouse in softball, the Lady Lionettes lost to Rockport-Fulton in the first round of the state playoffs but they will bring plenty of experience in 2015. _______________________________

The Yellowjackets will be tough in 2015 and moving into a new district with teams like Brownsville Porter and Mercedes will be interesting down the stretch. _______________________________

harlingen

la ferria

DISTRICT 32-6A: HARLINGEN, HARLINGEN SOUTH, LOS FRESNOS, SAN BENITO, BROWNSVILLE RIVERA, BROWNSVILLE HANNA, LOPEZ, VETERANS MEMORIAL

DISTRICT 32-LA FERIA, PORT ISABEL, RIO HONDO, HIDALGO, ZAPATA, GRULLA, RAYMONDVILLE, PROGRESO

_______________________________

_______________________________

Sada, and outfielder Ariel Amador. The Lady Panthers will be loaded with pitchers Taylor Tafolla, Aylssa Escamilla, and Charlene De Anda. In District 30-6A, McAllen Nikki Rowe, McAllen, and McAllen Memorial all made the playoffs in 2014. Only the Lady Bulldogs came out on top with a bi-district win over Harlingen South but then lost to Eagle Pass in two straight games in the 5A Area Championships. Lady Bulldog head coach Ruth Garcia has been building its program and this will

photography By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

year will be a test after losing eight seniors. They return junior second baseman Annika Garcia, senior outfielder Joanna Villarreal, senior Carina Sendejo, a third baseman; Eden Hernandez, a junior outfielder, and sophomore pitcher Alexis Gutierrez. Favored to win the outright title with be the McAllen Rowe Lady Warriors and head coach Oziel Hernandez is excited about 2015 and with sixteen players back, and why not? Junior pitchers Joscelyn Moncayo and Krystal Ramos both return along with pitchers, sophomore

edcouch-elsa

DISTRICT 32-5A: BROWNSVILLE PACE, PORTER, DONNA, DONNA NORTH, EDCOUCHELSA, MERCEDES, PSJA, PSJA SOUTHWEST _______________________________

Odessa Hernandez and senior Olivia Hood. High expectations surround sophomore Chelsea Boyd who is back at catcher. As a freshman, she hit .444 with 33 RBIs and five home runs, to help lead the Lady Warriors (20-7, 11-5) to a second-place finish in district but lost to Brownsville Porter in the first round of the state playoffs. If the McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs expect to get off to a better start, Daisy Gonzalez, pitcher/first baseman will be looked at to ake that happen. She led the team with a .538 hitting

The Mercedes Lady Tigers advanced to the 2014 UIL 4A Region IV semifinals for the first time in school history.

For the record:

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

37


Raeven Robles

Briseyda Gonzalez

Kelsey Sada

Only one team will not make the playoffs in 2015. Only one team will stay home. The Lady Warriors should take this district with no problems. They will be favored. _______________________________

The Lady Chiefs will begin its season with new attitudes and they will be young. A new high school, the Lady Chiefs will be building for the future. _______________________________

The Weslaco Lady Pantherettes could be looking at a playoff spot in a new district filled with plenty of playoff teams. _______________________________

santa rosa hs

DISTRICT 32-3A: SANTA ROSA HIGH SCHOOL, MONTE ALTO, LYFORD, FALFURRIAS HIGH SCHOOL

_______________________________

ercentage and .788 slugging mark while going 15-9 in the circle. She pitched every district game as a freshmen. Now, the sophomore will team up with eight returning starters back with high expectations. The Lady Mustangs made their first playoff appearance in eight years under head coach Audra Benavidez. Eight teams will now compete in the newly realigned District 32-6A. Harlingen, Harlingen South, Los Fresnos, San

Did you know?

donna north

weslaco

DISTRICT 31-6A: WESLACO, WESLACO EAST, PSJA NORTH, PSJA MEMORIAL, EDINBURG, EDINBURG NORTH, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES

DISTRICT 32-5A: DONNA, DONNA NORTH, PORTER, PACE, PSJA, SOUTHWEST, EDCOUCH-ELSA, MERCEDES

_______________________________

Benito, Brownsville Porter, Lopez, Rivera, and Hanna will compete for the district title in 2015. And it will not be easy. Los Fresnos is coming off Region IV-5A quarterfinal finish after losing to San Benito in a one-game playoff 7-0. The Lady Greyhounds, a powerhouse when it comes to playing softball, advanced to the Class 5A Region IV Softball Semifinals and lost to San Antonio Southwest 7-2, 9-6. Harlingen, Porter, and Harlingen South all made the playoffs in 2014. Lady Greyhounds coach Elias

The Harlingen Lady Cardinals advanced to the UIL 5A Region IV Softball tournament semifinals in 2009 before losing to Austin Bowie 5-0.

_______________________________

Martinez will have his hands full as his team will be tested early on in non-district action. Will the Lady Greyhounds be the team to beat in 2015? Will this be the year that the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons win it all? Lady Falcons head coach Traci Blackman led her team to the State 5A Region IV quarterfinals after winning the 32-5A district title with an impressive 15-1 record and 25-8 overall. The Lady Falcons return 10 lettermen, including pitchers Vivikah Pesina (junior) and Victoria Loa (senior).

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

photography By Alec Amador

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

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Janeyra Garcia

Gina Garcia

Morgan Playle

Do not be surprised if the Lady Tigers make the playoffs in 2015. They will be much improved. Playoffs? District title? _______________________________

The Lady Bobcats are coming of a second round loss to Los Fresnos in 2014. They will be much better in 2015. _______________________________

This could the year for the Lady Warriors. A district title? A state tournament appearance? _______________________________

valley view

edinburg

DISTRICT 31-5A: VALLEY VIEW, ROMA, EDINBURG VELA, SHARYLAND, SHARYLAND PIONEER, MISSION VETERANS, RIO GRANDE CITY HS

DISTRICT 31-6A: EDINBURG, EDINBURG NORTH, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES, WESLACO, WESLACO EAST, PSJA NORTH, PSJA MEMORIAL

Last season Blackman led her team to wins over Brownsville Hanna, Rivera, Lopez, Harlingen, Veterans Memorial, and Harlingen South in the regular season. Challenging the Lady Falcons will be the Harlingen South Lady Hawks after finishing their season in second place. In the playoffs, the Lady Hawks lost to McAllen in the first round. Thirteen lettermen return after losing just four players to graduation. Players to watch are sophomore pitcher Larissa Garcia, junior pitcher

Karina Abrego (6-4), and senior pitcher Mackenize Wiley (12-5). Outfielders Lauren Conteras, Miranda Valdez, Ariel De La Fuente, and Ashley Reyna all return to give the Lady Hawks the plenty of experience on defense. The Lady Hawks had an impressive team batting average of .359 and they also stole 82 bases. The Lady Hawks will be strong on offense with their hitting and on defense, the will be unstoppable on the mound with Wiley and Abrego. Other teams to watch from the Rio

_______________________________

_______________________________

By Alec Amador

_______________________________

Grande Valley from District 32-4A are Port Isabel, Raymondville, Hidalgo, La Feria and Rio Hondo. All made the playoffs in 2014 with Rio Hondo going three rounds before losing to Kingsville King 7-2 in the Class 3A Region IV Quarterfinals. Raymondville and Lyford both won first round games in the state playoffs. In District 32-2A, Lyford moves down a classification from 3A and will now compete in 32-3A.

La Joya High School made Back-to-Back State 5A Region IV semifinals appearances in 2007 & 2008.

HSSM Lead Sports Photographer •

DISTRICT 30-6A: MCALLEN ROWE, MCALLEN, MCALLEN MEMORIAL, MISSION, LA JOYA, LA JOYA PALMVIEW, JUAREZ-LINCOLN

photography •

mcallen nicki rowe

For the record:

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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San Benito head coach Elias Martinez will lead his team in District 32-6A after winning the district title in 31-5A in 2014. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Defending Champions! Head coach Traci Blackmon will lead her Los Fresnos team in District 32-6A after going three rounds in the state playoffs in 2014. (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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Another state title run?

The San Benito Lady Greyhounds will be Favored to win District 32-6A in 2015. •

By Alec Amador HSSM Sports Photographer

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FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015


(Cesar Montalvo/HSSM images)

Briana Cantu

Lorie ann Doria

Chelsea Morgan

The Lady Eagles and Iris Iglesias will not let this district slip away. Moving up to 6A will give the Lady Eagles something to play for in 2015. _______________________________

The Roma High School Lady Gladiators will be tough in 2015. They will bring plenty of experience to games on Tuesday and Friday nights. _______________________________

Corpus Christi Ray HS lost to Mission Veterans Memorial in the first round of the state playoffs in 2014. _______________________________

DISTRICT 31-5A: MISSION VETERANS, RIO GRANDE CITY, ROMA, VALLEY VIEW, SHARYLAND, PIONEER HS, EDINBURG VELA

OTHER DISTRICTS 28-6A: CC CARROLL, CC KING, CC RAY, SA EAST CENTRAL, SA SOUTHWEST, SA SOUTH SAN

mission

DISTRICT 30-6A: MISSION, LA JOYA, LA JOYA PALMVIEW, JUAREZ-LINCOLN, MCALLEN, MCALLEN MEMORIAL, MCALLEN ROWE

roma

_______________________________

c.c. ray

_______________________________

_______________________________

2015 Texas Girls Coaches Association Softball Polls Class 2A 1. Weimar 2. Crawford 3. Bosqueville 4. Hawley 5. Thrall 6. Kennard 7. Dodd City 8. Windthorst 9. Harleton 10. Schulenburg

Class 3A 1. East Bernard 2. Natalia 3. Santa Gertrudis Academy 4. Halletsville 5. Brownfield 6. Lone

Oak 7. Colorado City 8. Troy 9. Garrison 10. Mount Vernon

Class 4A

4. Plano West 5. Houston Bellaire 6. Plano 7. Katy Cinco Ranch 8. Round Rock Cedar Ridge 9. Atascocita 10. San Antonio Southwest

1. La Grange 2. Huffman Hargrave 3. Burkburnett 4. Lufkin Hudson 5. Caldwell 6. Celina 7. Snyder 8. Abilene Wylie 9. Little Cypress-Mauriceville

Class 5A 1. Aledo 2. Elgin 3. Lucas Lovejoy 4. Azle 5. Barbers Hill 6. Frisco 7. Ennis 8. Birdville 9. Hallsville 10. Brewer

Class 6A 1. Deer Park 2. Rockwall 3. The Woodlands

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 - MARCH 28, 2015

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