Strong Pitching Leads Central Catholic Past Seguin

Chris Austin

(Seguin) — San Antonio Central Catholic jumped on the Seguin Matadors early and used some good pitching to keep the Mats at bay in an 8-2 win over Seguin on Monday night at Smokey Joe Williams Field.

Down 4-0 in the bottom of the first, the Matadors loaded the bases against Central pitcher Tim Segura. With two outs, Klein Vickers hit a seeing eye single up the middle to bring home two runs and cut the lead in half but that would be all the scoring on the night Seguin would get as the lefty Segura would settle in and blank the Mats for the next four innings.

“That’s a good quality program over there. That’s a top team in the state.” Seguin head coach Mike Gonzales said. “If you don’t take advantage of the opportunities when they’re given to you, they’re gonna make you pay for it. So, we just gotta figure out a way how to do what we do, execute the little things. That’s alright though. Like I said, that’s a good solid ball club over there. They’re gonna pitch it well and swing it well so you have to take advantage of opportunities when they come in front of you.”

The Matadors had some nifty plays in the field with first baseman Cooper Neumann making some nice picks at the bag. At the plate, Matador lead off hitter Kayden Holtz went two for four in the game with a run scored. Gonzales credited his players with their strong effort on Monday night.

“Kayden had an absolutely beautiful game. He held it down (at shortstop) all night long, no errors.” Gonzales said. “Cooper Neumann was there making plays. And I’m proud of him because he had a rough weekend. He was having quality atbats. He was advancing runners, but he just wasn’t getting on base. He overcame that today. Came up and he had a good night at the plate and a good night (in the field), so I’m proud of him for that.”

Seguin will have today and tomorrow off and will be back in action at the San Marcos baseball tournament on Thursday.

Mendez

Silvester Mendez, age 73 of Seguin, passed away on March 2, 2023. Silvester was born on November 26, 1949 in Pearsall, Texas to Beatrice (Rodriguez) and Epifanio Cavazos Mendez.

Silvester is preceded in death by his parents, and brother Joe Alex Mendez.

Survivors include his life partner Maria Jimenez; daughter Margarita Mendez-Woods – Army Veteran (husband Shay Timothy Woods); sons, Silvester Mendez Jr (life partner Luisa Santiago), David Mendez – Retired Marine (wife Stephanie Mendez) and Matthew Mendez; brother Roy Mendez (wife Margie Mendez), and brother from another mother John Blacketer (wife Mary Blacketer); sister Gloria Guajardo (husband Albert); half-sister Beatrice Bosquez (husband Torino); grandsons, Larry Bilbrey II (wife Ashley Bilbrey), Dalton Bilbrey, Bubba Bilbrey (wife Devon Bilbrey), Michael Mendez, Louis Mendez, Dean Mendez, Anthony Mendez, and Nick Mendez; granddaughters, Elaine, Michelle and Isabella Mendez; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and many friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m. with Deacon Nick Carrillo officiating. Visitation will begin again on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Dugger Cemetery.

You may visit www.treshewell.com.

Ball

Celebration of Life service for Billie Fai Ball will be held Saturday March 11th at 11AM from the Greater Refuge Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, 410 N Guadalupe St, Seguin, TX. Viewal will be from 9:30 am till 11AM at the Church. Interment will be in Zion Hill Cemetery No 2. Ms. Ball was an educator at heart having attended Huston-Tillitson College in Austin,Texas and graduated with honors! She received her teachers certification and later her administrator certification and had teaching tenured at Gatesville School for Girls,Blackshear Elementary School in Austin,TX, public schools in Crockett,Texas,two tenured at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.and retired having taught Special Education in Seguin I.S.D. and served as its Director.

In later years,she married District Elder George Floyd Ball and served as Pastor’s wife until his demise. She was an avid Civil Rights worker and played as one of it’s musicians having just served at MLK Day at Central Park in downtown Seguin in 2023. She served her local community and the church’s as well. She died February 27th at the age of 86. Services entrusted to the reverent care of Eunice and Lee Mortuary.