Sharyland Rattler Baseball: My Site News
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2009 Baseball Preview
2009 Baseball Preview
Sharyland Rattlers tabbed Valley's preseason No. 1
MISSION - For some teams, being ranked the preseason No. 1 might be seen as a curse.
Some teams with the potential to win a state title might be overwhelmed by the pressure of living up to such high expectations.
But for the Sharyland Rattlers baseball team, being touted as one of the state's best does not add undue pressure. Instead it adds motivation to succeed.
"Going to state is something we talk about every day in practice," said Sharyland head coach Bart Bickerton. "We have felt like we had the team to go the distance the last two years."
The Rattlers open the Valley baseball season, which begins Monday, as Valley Freedom Newspapers' preseason No. 1 thanks to a bevy of experienced returning starters.
Three of the Rattlers' seven returning starters have already signed letters of intent to play college ball.
Pitcher/shortstop Angel Ibanez signed with UTPA, second baseman Adam Peña is headed to San Jacinto Junior College, and Tucker Oakley, who missed all of last season with an injury, is going to Weatherford JC.
But as solid as the Rattlers look, they are in a district where the competition will challenge them every step of the way.
League foes McAllen High and La Joya are in the preseason top five. McHi sits at No. 2, while the Coyotes, who are the two-time District 30-5A defending champs, are ranked No. 4.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us if we want to keep our league title," said Coyotes head coach Reuben Farias. "We have a good nucleus of players coming back with great leadership qualities. With God's blessing and favor, we should have a great and prosperous year."
Wedged between McHi and La Joya at No. 3 is Brownsville Lopez, which is going for a fifth straight district title dating back to 2005 when the Lobos were in Class 4A.
The Lobos continue to bring back a seemingly endless supply of talent that keeps the machine running year after year.
"They just always seem to have those special athletes that can step up and play," said opposing league coach Eddie Serna of Weslaco.
Rounding out the top five is Edinburg North out of District 31-5A.
The Cougars are in search for their first-ever district title this season. And with 14 returning seniors, they have the potential to get the job done.
"Our kids understand that as a senior ballclub, they can't hide and sneak up on anyone," said Coogs head coach Nick Cantu Jr. "But just because we are starting the season ranked high does not mean anything.
"We have to go out there and prove that we deserve the attention. Like the old saying goes, ‘it's not how you start but how you finish that counts.'"
The Cougars are joined in the top 10 by fellow 31-5A foe PSJA High, which is ranked No. 7.
Sitting at No. 6 is Brownsville Porter, which should give Lopez all it can handle in District 32-5A.
Rounding out the top 10 is La Feria at No. 8, Roma at No. 9 and Hidalgo at No. 10.
The Lions finished in third place last year behind Hidalgo and district champ Rio Hondo. But with a benchload of returning starters, the
Lions are ready to become the District 32-3A kings.
As for Roma, the Glads have an excellent shot at dethroning Mission High as the District 32-4A champs.
Finally, the Pirates should challenge La Feria for District 32-3A supremacy this season.
VFN Top 10
1. Sharyland
2. McAllen High
3. Brownsville Lopez
4. La Joya
5. Edinburg North
6. Brownsville Porter
7. PSJA High
8. La Feria
9. Roma
10. Hidalgo
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Rattlers Finish 2nd in Edinburg 10K
Sharyland finish 2nd to Edinburg in the Edinburg 10K High School division.
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Alex Brummel Makes Dean List
Former Sharyland firstbasemen Alex Brummel made the Deans List this fall at Schreiner College in Kerrville Texas.
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Oakley Signs with Weatherford College
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Adam Pena signs with San Jacinto Junior College
Sharyland sr, Adam Pena, signs with San Jacinto Junior College
| .509 Batting Avg | - Led Team |
| 53 Runs | - Led Team |
| 54 RBIs | - Led Team (4th in State) |
| 6 Home Runs |
Friday, January 16
UTPA Baseball Signs Angel Ibanez
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The University of Texas-Pan American head baseball coach, Manny Mantrana announced on the signing of Angel Ibanez (Mission, TX / Sharyland High) to National Letters of Intent to join the Broncs in the 2009-10 academic campaign.
Ibanez, an infielder, resides in Mission where he attends Sharyland High School.
"Angel is a talented athlete that can play infield, outfield, and even pitch'" said Mantrana. "Yet, where he will be turning heads is at the plate. His bat speed is hard match. I will not be a surprise if he leads UTPA Baseball in multiple offensive categories."
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2008 Rattler Stats on Max Preps
Check standings and team leaders on Maxpreps
Wednesday, July 16
All-State Team
Junior secondbasemen Adam Pena was the only Valley baseball player to make the 1st Team All State Team. Pena was selected All State by THSBCA and the Sports Writers of Texas. Wade Meadors was selected to the All-State Academic Team. Wade is the first Rattler baseball player to recieve this award.
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Cardinals call up former Sharyland ace Jaime Garcia
The St. Louis Cardinals called up left-hander Jaime Garcia on Thursday morning, sending the former Sharyland standout and All-Rio Grande Valley MVP to the major leagues for the first time in his young professional career.
Garcia had been playing for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, where he was a starter. He began the season in Double-A. St. Louis said he initially would receive work out of the bullpen. Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder was placed on the 15-day on Thursday, clearing the way for Garcia to be called up to the big leagues.
Garcia didn't return messages left on his cell phone Thursday, but he did talk to The Monitor last week.
"I don't pay attention to any of it," Garcia said when asked about the speculation that he was close to being promoted to the big leagues. "I stay away from the Internet. If it happens, it happens, you know. I just need to concentrate. If I don't get called up this year, maybe I will next year."
Garcia, however, didn't have to wait much longer for his call-up, and it didn't come as a surprise.
"It's an exciting day for us over here at Sharyland," said Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton, who coached Garcia. "You always want to see one of your kids go through the system, and we've been waiting for this all year long. After talking to him, I knew it was just a matter of time, and we were pretty sure he was going to get that chance this season.
"The thing about Jaime, he always knew he would make it. That's the type of attitude he had. I don't think he's sitting back shocked right now. He prepared himself to one day pitch in the majors."
In 12 starts with the Redbirds, Garcia was 4-4 with a 4.59 ERA. He had 57 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings pitched. Garcia had long been tabbed as one of the top prospects in the Cardinals' minor league organization. He started the season in Double-A with the Springfield Cardinals, going 3-2 on the mound with a 2.06 ERA.
The left-hander was selected in the 30th round in the 2004 draft after finishing his junior season at Sharyland. After it was learned that his playing eligibility had expired with the Rattlers, the Baltimore Orioles took a chance on then 17-year-old Garcia. Garcia held out for more money to no avail and was drafted the following year by the Cardinals.
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Sharyland's Rodriguez headed to Mizzou
MISSION - Andre Rodriguez's path to major college baseball wasn't the smoothest or the straightest, but it still got him to one of the Big 12's leading programs.
Rodriguez, a former Sharyland outfielder, accepted a partial scholarship offer last week to play for head coach Tim Jamieson and the University of Missouri Tigers. As a senior, Rodriguez hit .379 with nine home runs at 38 RBIs and led the Rattlers to the third round of the playoffs. At Rattlers home games, his walk-up music was preceded by a line from Anchorman, with Ron Burgundy saying "I'm kind of a big deal."
And after what he went through during his sophomore and junior years, it definitely is a big deal that Rodriguez is headed to Missouri.
Prior to his sophomore season, Rodriguez broke his right wrist in a car accident, costing him the entire season. Then, halfway through his junior year, a back injury caused him to miss the rest of that season.
Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said "it's great" to see Rodriguez sign with the Tigers after the challenges he faced.
"He's still not where he completely needs to be just because he missed all that time," Bickerton said. "It's great, especially since we knew he would be in this situation or better when he was a freshman starting. It's nice to see him hang in there and pretty much fulfill his dreams with going to a big school."
Those two injuries somewhat took him off the recruiting radar, but a strong senior year and timely power in front of college coaches while playing for the South Texas Sliders traveling team, including two home runs in front of Jamieson, helped him gain more attention from major programs and, eventually, a scholarship offer from Missouri.
"He's on cloud nine. His feet aren't even touching the ground," Andre's father, Jose said. "He gets to play in the Big 12, and when they come down here to play Texas and A&M, we'll be able to watch him play. I'm sure we'll make a couple trips up to Mizzou."
Missouri, which finished 39-21 and reached the NCAA Tournament, is one of the Big 12's emerging teams. The program has produced some of Major League Baseball's best young players, including Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler, who played for the Tigers in 2003 after transferring from Arizona State.
The Tigers also had six players drafted this year, including pitcher Aaron Crow, who was the ninth overall pick by the Washington Nationals. The draft also opened up a spot on Missouri's roster for Rodriguez, who had already applied and been accepted to MU.
Now, though, he knows where he'll be playing college ball. And, for that matter, where he's going to continue his education, with classes in Columbia starting next month.
"I had been talking to different schools. I knew I was going to play somewhere but I was nervous not knowing where I was going, whether I was going to have to play in junior college or what I needed to do first," said Andre, who had also been in contact with Texas and had already accepted an academic scholarship to Baylor.
"I know I'm going to play. I'm going to work hard and it will just take care of itself," Andre added. "I'm excited and glad for this opportunity."
Brian Sandalow is a sports writer for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.
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Mike Medrano Earns Newcomer of the Year
Medrano shines in first season at Sharyland.
Mike Medrano admits he didn't know how well he was going to fit in when he transferred to Sharyland. His family moved from San Antonio before the school year for his father's job.
"My first couple of days on the team was weird," Medrano said. "I didn't know anyone. I was just really nervous."
Talent is the best way to gain acceptance. Medrano's pitching abilities earned him ace of the staff.
"I was really surprised because this was the first time I was on varsity," the sophomore said. "To make it as a sophomore was great."
Medrano was named The Monitor's All-Valley newcomer of the year after a solid season in which he finished 9-1. He had a 1.09 ERA, struck out 50 and walked only eight in 57 1/3 innings pitched.
"It was a great season," Medrano said. "I wish we could have gone further. I want to get better for next year."
Medrano is joined on the All-Valley superlative list by MVP Henry Garcia, who was dominant on the mound with an 8-2 record and a 0.47 ERA.
Rounding out the superlatives is the coach of the year, McAllen High's Eliseo Pompa. Pompa guided a young squad to the regional semifinals. The Bulldogs (26-15) were the last Rio Grande Valley team standing in the playoffs and are the season-ending No. 1 team despite finishing third in District 30-5A.
McHi advanced to the University Interscholastic League Sweet 16 for the third time in four years, losing two weeks ago to San Antonio Reagan in the teams' regional semifinal.
"It was very satisfying from the standpoint of how we finished the season," Pompa said. "Our younger kids really stepped up. The good thing about our young guys is that they got to get some of experience for the future."
After the team hit a lull early in the season, Pompa gave some of his younger players a larger role. One of those players was First-Team All-Valley outfielder Tim Ford, who in his first season on varsity hit .415 and brought in 32 runs.
Other key players on the team included Pompa's grandson, Omar, who batted .350 as a freshman and Armando Garza, who stepped in as the team's catcher also in his freshman season.
The Bulldogs were also able to lean on their sophomore standout, Alvaro Moreno. Moreno, the first team All-Valley shortstop, led the team in hitting (.418) and RBIs (39). Moreno (8-4) also teamed with junior James Franz (9-3) for a solid rotation.
"It is a positive to look forward to next season," Pompa said. "We have some experience. Hopefully, our kids will get stronger."
Joining Moreno and Ford on the All-Valley first team is senior catcher Eli De La Garza (.480, 14 doubles, 39 RBIs), who helped lead the Bobcats to the District 31-5A Championship and was named the league's MVP.
Another Bobcats player on the first team is junior first baseman Michael Kasprzynski (.379, 36 runs, three errors).
District 30-5A MVP Miguel Peña (10-2, 1.65 ERA, 95 strikeouts, 72 innings Pitched) is the first team pitcher. He is joined by Coyotes teammate Lupe Lopez (.420, 24 RBIs, four HRs), who enters as the designated hitter.
Sharyland had the most on the first team with four that includes junior second baseman Adam Peña (.527, 48 runs, 44 RBIs, five HRs), junior third baseman Marco Rodriguez (.489, 31 RBIs, 38 runs) and senior outfielders Omar Berrones (.488, 39, runs, 32 RBIs) and Andre Rodriguez (.379, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs).
Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can him at (956) 683-4448.
All-Valley Team
Most Valuable Player
Henry Garcia, sr., Brownsville Porter
Newcomer of the Year
Mike Medrano, fresh., Sharyland
Coach of the Year
Eliseo Pompa, McAllen High
First Team
Pitcher
Miguel Peña, jr., La Joya
First Base
Michael Kasprzynski, jr., Edinburg High
Second Base
Adam Peña, jr., Sharyland
Shortstop
Alvaro Moreno, soph., McAllen High
Third Base
Marco Rodriguez, jr., Sharyland
Catcher
Eli De La Garza, sr., Edinburg High
Outfield
Omar Berrones, jr., Sharyland; Andre Rodriguez, sr., Sharyland; Tim Ford, soph., McAllen High
Designated Hitter
Lupe Lopez, soph., La Joya
Second Team
Pitcher
Justin Anthony, jr., Edinburg High
First Base
Mike Martinez, PSJA Memorial
Second Base
Justin Granado, soph., Brownsville Lopez
Shortstop
Robert Mariscal, sr., La Joya
Third Base
John Rendon, sr., Edinburg High
Catcher
Rolando Garcia, soph., PSJA High
Outfield
David Martinez, sr., Weslaco High; Michael Barajas, sr., Edinburg High; Luis Munoz, Brownsville Lopez
Designated Hitter
Andrew Silva, Edinburg High
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2008 VMS All-Valley Baseball Team
Sharyland's Andre Rodriguez had senior season to remember
For Andre Rodriguez, 2008 was the season he had been waiting for.
After a breakout freshman season, he was forced to sit out his sophomore season with a broken wrist and his junior year, as he said, could have been better.
But as a senior, Rodriguez went out in style.
He led the Rattlers with nine home runs, batted .368 with 141 at-bats in 36 games, scored 40 runs, had 42 hits and had 43 RBIs with 13 doubles and five triples.
For his efforts, Rodriguez was named the 2008 VMS All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year.
"This was the kind of season I'd been waiting to have since I first began high school," Rodriguez said. "It was a season to remember."
Unfortunately, the Rattlers' season ended somewhat prematurely with a third-round playoff loss to Laredo United in a one-game affair.
"We were a better team than Laredo, but in a one-game playoff anything can happen and, unfortunately, things turned out badly for us," he said.
Still, Rodriguez said he'd look back upon his senior season with pride as he prepares for the future.
With an academic scholarship already in hand from Baylor University, he hopes to eventually walk on with the Bears.
"However, I may decide to go to Missouri or the University of Houston if I can walk on there," he said. "I love to play baseball and if I get a chance to play at the next level, I'll jump at the chance."
2008 VMS All-Valley team
Most Valuable Player - Henry Garcia, Brownsville Porter
Offensive Player of the Year - Andre Rodriguez, Sharyland
Defensive Player of the Year - Michael Barajas, Edinburg High
Newcomer of the Year - Tim Ford, McAllen High
Pitcher of the Year - Miguel Peña, La Joya
Coach of the Year - Steve Mendoza, Santa Rosa
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher - Sean Messick, Harlingen South; Joshua Cordero, Rio Hondo; Eli De La Garza, Edinburg
Catcher - Gus Henngler, Brownsville Porter; Ryan Ramirez, Mission High
First base - Sal Limon, McAllen High
Second base - Adam Peña. Sharyland
Third base - J.D. Vela, Los Fresnos
Shortstop - Alvaro Moreno, McAllen High
Utility - Rollie Garza, Rio Hondo
Designated hitter - Roman Rocha, Brownsville Rivera
Outfield - Peter Maldonado, Harlingen South; Shane Eizember, Rio Hondo; Chito Sanchez, Mission High
Tuesday, June 3
All District Team 2008
All-District lists
DISTRICT 30-5A
MVP - Miguel Peña, jr., La Joya
Newcomer of the Year - Lupe Lopez, soph., La Joya; Mike Medrano, soph., Sharyland; Tim Ford, soph. McAllen High
Coach of the Year - Reuben Farias, La Joya
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher - Alvaro Moreno, soph., McAllen High; BJ Valadez, sr., Rio Grande City; Angel Ibañez, jr., Sharyland; Albert Obregon, jr., McAllen Rowe.
Catcher - Adrian Peña, sr., La Joya
First Baseman - Sal Limon, sr., McAllen High
Second Baseman - Adam Peña, jr., Sharyland
Shortstop - Alvaro Moreno, soph., McAllen High
Third Baseman - Steven Solis, sr., McAllen High; Marco Rodriguez, jr., Sharyland
Outfielders - Albert Vizcaino, sr., McAllen High; Javier Ramirez, sr., La Joya; Andre Rodriguez, sr., Sharyland; Mario Orozco, jr., Sharyland.
Designated Hitter - Alex Donigan, sr., McAllen Memorial; Adrian Leal, jr, McAllen High
Utility Player - John Gomez, sr., Donna
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher - James Franz, jr., McAllen High; Adrian Garza, La Joya; Marco Rodriguez, Sharyland.
Catcher - Joe Ray Mendoza, jr., McAllen Rowe
First Baseman - Matias Brizulea, sr., Sharyland
Second Baseman - Marshall Miller, sr., McAllen High
Shortstop - Robert Mariscal, sr., La Joya
Third Baseman - Jesus Portillo, sr., Rio Grande City
Outfielders - Jesse Trevino, sr., La Joya; Omar Berrones, sr., Sharyland; Victorimo Bermudez, sr., Rio Grande City; Micheal Enriquez, sr., McAllen Rowe
Designated Hitter - Adan Hernandez, sr., Sharyland
Utility Player - Joseph Conover, jr. McAllen Memorial
HONORBALE MENTION
Pitcher - Marshall Miller, sr., McAllen High; Jaime Cantu, McAllen Memorial; Alex Donigan, McAllen Memorial; Rene Medina, McAllen Rowe
Catcher - Jorge Garza, soph., McAllen Memorial; Orlando martinez, jr., Sharyland; Armando Garza, fresh., McAllen High
First Baseman - Walley Barrera, jr., La Joya; Santiago Rivas, jr., McAllen Memorial; Albert Obregon, jr. McAllen Rowe
Second Baseman - Ralph Juarez, jr., McAllen Rowe; Leo Gonzalez, jr., La Joya; Aaron Rivera, jr., McAllen Memorial
Shortstop - Angel Ibañez, jr., Sharyland
Third Baseman - Joseph Conover, jr., McAllen Memorial
Outfielders - Aaron Canul, jr., McAllen High; Jaime Cantu, jr., McAllen Memorial; Juan Sanchez, sr., McAllen Memorial; Andy Saenz, jr., McAllen Memorial; Aldo Salinas, jr., La Joya; George Gutierrez, sr., Rio Grande City
Designated Hitter - Raymond Luna, jr., La Joya
Utility Player - Wally Barrera, jr., La Joya; Angel Ibañez, jr., Sharyland; Juan Zuniga, jr., Rio Grande City; Albert Chavez, sr., Donna.
Tuesday, June 3
Longhorns end wild Rattlers year
Longhorns end wild Rattlers’ year
KINGSVILLE - He'd already done it once, but the second time Sharyland pitcher Angel Ibañez struck Jorge Guarneros with a pitch was deadly for the Rattlers.
Each play seemingly sucked the life out of Sharyland, which lost 5-4 to Laredo United in a one-game regional quarterfinal Friday at Nolan Ryan Field at Texas A&M-Kingsville that required an extra inning.
From the start, Sharyland started out slow and looked nothing like a team that won 31 games. The Longhorns (23-6) took advantage of seven hits in four innings for a commanding 3-1 lead.
"We waited to have our worst defensive game probably of the season at the wrong time in a one-game series," Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said. "You get in a situation where it's a one-game series, and you make about four or five errors, which is totally completely different than what we've played all year."
Ibañez replaced Mike Medrano on the mound during the fourth inning, and Sharyland went on a hitting frenzy in the fifth.
When Ibañez came in, the bases were already loaded.
He gave up an unearned run to Stefan Rincon, who scored after Guarneros reached first on a fielding error to put Laredo up 3-1.
Sharyland scored one run in the fourth, Ibañez kept United's batters quiet in the fifth, and the Rattlers rallied from behind to take a brief 4-3 lead.
During that stretch, pinch runner Casey Klein replaced Orlando Martinez, who reached on a fielding error. Marco Rodriguez followed with a double to right field to put Klein in scoring position.
Then Omar Berrones fouled out to right field and Klein scored, moving Rodriguez into scoring position. He later scored on an Adam Peña RBI to center field, and Sharyland had its first lead of the game.
That didn't last too long for Sharyland. With two outs and a runner on second, Ibañez hit Guarneros with a pitch as Rincon advanced to third. Rincon scored after Ibañez walked Sandoval.
Sharyland didn't score in the seventh with the game tied at 4 to push the game into extra innings.
Luis Pollorena doubled to center field for the Longhorns, Javier Perez then flied out to right field and Pollorena moved to third.
Then Ibañez struck Guarneros again, and tempers almost flared out of control. But United kept its cool, realizing they had one out and a runner in scoring position.
Ramon Sandoval flied out left field, and Pollorena scored the winning run.
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THREE-FEAT
30-5A trio last 5A teams alive
Respect runs so high between the last three Class 5A Rio Grande Valley schools standing in the state baseball playoffs, it is tough to fathom that La Joya, McAllen High and Sharyland are heated District 30-5A rivals.
McHi coach Eliseo Pompa was given every opportunity to take a knock at the Coyotes and/or Rattlers, but declined.
"We are not going to say anything," said a joking Pompa, whose Bulldogs open a best-of-three, regional quarterfinal against La Joya at 7:30 tonight at McHi. "Why should we say anything? There is plenty of trash talking during the game."
The respect stems from how tough the three schools have played each other in recent years. In some ways they have toughened each other up for the postseason, and this year the three schools form the same district have advanced deeper in the playoffs than any other Class 5A, Valley programs.
Sharyland plays a winner-take-all regional quarterfinal game against Laredo United at 7:30 tonight at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
"Our district schedule, playing La Joya and McAllen High, it prepares you for the playoffs a lot more than probably other teams who kind of breeze through their district," Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton said. "Just the competition between the three, it helps us.
"It is a playoff atmosphere when we play those teams. I think all three programs will be tough year in and year out. I think that is probably what helps us, dealing with that playoff atmosphere."
The mutual admiration extends west to La Joya. Coyotes coach Reuben Farias had no qualms expressing his favorable opinion about the Valley's remaining three 5A schools.
"I strongly believe that we are the three strongest teams," Farias said. "(Being the last three standing) goes to show how tough we are."
Harlingen South coach Tony Leal, who took the Hawks to the state championship last season, said he is impressed by all three
"These teams are good," Leal said. "I think they have a real shot of making it far, I really do. They are no fluke.
"Whoever plays the best defense is going to win. I know Sharyland can hit and McHi and La Joya are going to get enough hits. But who plays defense best is going to really matter."
La Joya is yet to drop a postseason game, sweeping Laredo LBJ (bi-district) and PSJA High (area) to reach its series against McHi. The Bulldogs defeated Eagle Pass in bi-district and Brownsville Lopez in the area round, winning both series' in three games.
The Rattlers swept its bi-district opponent, Laredo Alexander, and area-round foe, Edinburg High, outscoring the opposition 38-9.
"I don't recall having three teams from one district being the last three left," Leal said. "It goes to show how tough their district is.
"I've seen all three teams and they are pretty good. Wouldn't it be awesome to have another team make it to state? Now it takes a little bit of luck."
When McHi and La Joya lock horns tonight, and if down the postseason road one of the teams run into Sharyland, they will revert to foes. But off the diamond all three coaches seem content on building each others teams up.
"We are very close even though we are very different teams," Bickerton said. "We go at it in different ways. The things that we do, we do it well. ... In the end, we have all had a lot of success, especially in the last six or seven years."
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Sharyland eliminates Edinburg High
EDINBURG - Just a minute or two earlier, Sharyland center fielder Mario Orozco was writhing on the ground in pain during the top of the sixth after fouling a pitch off his left leg. After being helped up to his feet by a teammate and limping to the batter's box, Orozco then drilled a tiebreaking RBI double off Edinburg High pitcher Ricky Villarreal.
Orozco's drive, plus seven more runs over the last two innings sent Sharyland (31-3-1) to a 12-4 win, a sweep of the District 31-5A champion Bobcats and a matchup with Laredo United in the regional quarterfinals.
"(Mario's) been doing that for us all year," Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said. "He did it against (McAllen High), he came up with a big two-run home run against them to beat them. He's been doing it all year from the nine-hole. We don't put bad hitters in the nine-hole, we put guys that can hit."
Apparently, Bickerton also puts batters in the nine-hole that can deal with a lot of pain. After Orozco fouled the pitch off his own leg, Bickerton had a pinch-hitter get ready.
Orozco, though, insisted on staying in the game.
"It hurt a lot. I already had a scratch on my leg and it was bleeding," Orozco said. "(Bickerton) didn't tell me anything. I just told him ‘I'm ready to play and I'm not coming out of the game.'"
The delay, which included Orozco hobbling up the first-base line and then laying down on the ground and covering his face, lasted about five minutes. In that time, it was possible for Villarreal to lose his concentration.
Edinburg High coach David Kasprzynski said that didn't happen.
"I called the wrong pitch right there," Kasprzynski said of Villarreal's fastball. "You've got a nine-hole hitter who's probably hitting in the high (.300s). That was a mistake on my part."
After that play, the Rattlers scored five more times in the sixth inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. Sharyland also impressed Kasprzynski, whose team's season ends with a 29-8 record.
"How can you take anything away from this season? Twenty-nine wins, I don't know if Edinburg has ever done that, Kasprzynski said. "I mean, 29-8 is 37 games and a lot of baseball. A lot of winning baseball."
Friday, May 16
Sharyland hangs on for dramatic win
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Brian Sandalow
MISSION - With one swing and one tag, Sharyland second baseman Adam Pena wiped out a night of missed opportunities.
Pena's sixth-inning two-run home run off Edinburg High starting pitcher Justin Anthony gave the Rattlers (30-3-1) a two-run lead heading into the top of the seventh. Then, after Edinburg High cut the lead to one and loaded the bases in the final inning, Pena's tag picked Bobcats catcher Eli De La Garza off second base. That second out short-circuited the rally, which ended with reliever Angel Ibanez striking out Bobcats designated hitter Andrew Silva to preserve a dramatic 5-4 win and give the Rattlers a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three area round series heading into Game 2 today at 4 p.m. in Edinburg.
"As a coach, when you see all those opportunities go by it's usually a game you don't win," Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said, referencing the nine runners the Rattlers left on base. "But Adam came through with a big hit. Luckily we had a guy on before, or we're still playing right now. He had struggled at the plate before that."
Pena's worst struggle was in the fourth, when with the bases loaded and no outs, he struck out looking. Anthony then got Rattlers slugger Andre Rodriguez to pop out and then got out of the jam by getting Ibanez to ground out to second.
But it was Pena's sixth-inning home run and, somewhat ironically, the Bobcats' inability to convert their own chance which ultimately decided the game.
And, even though Silva still could have extended the game for the Bobcats (29-7), any momentum one of the Valley's top teams had was gone when De La Garza was called out.
"In big situations like that, obviously they're well prepared, when you haven't seen a play like that with bases loaded and they just got done switching pitchers," Edinburg High coach David Kasprzynski said, noting that Ibanez hadn't made one pitch before throwing to Pena, who had snuck behind De La Garza. "You've just got to give Sharyland credit for calling the play in that situation."
In fact, it was a play Pena said the Rattlers work on every day.
"You work on that stuff all year and it comes around once a year," Bickerton said. "And when it works, it's great."
Monday, April 21
Iron Mike
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Medrano Shuts Downs Coyotes
MISSION - Sharyland pitcher Mike Medrano was nervous before taking the mound against La Joya on Friday at Sharyland.
The sophomore had every reason to be. It was one of the Rattlers' biggest games of the year, and he was facing one of the top pitchers in the Rio Grande Valley in La Joya's Miguel Peña.
Despite the nerves and a playoff atmosphere, Medrano outpitched Peña in a 5-1 District 30-5A victory for the Rattlers.
Medrano tossed a complete game, striking out five and working his way out of jams with the help of the Rattlers' defense.
"I just wanted to come out here and throw strikes," he said. "Pretty much this is the biggest win of my career."
Peña struggled in the loss, allowing four earned runs, nine hits, four walks and committing two errors. A wild pitch allowed a Rattlers run in the fourth.
The win keeps the Rattlers (26-3, 8-2), who beat McAllen High 12-9 on Tuesday, within striking distance of first place in 30-5A. La Joya (20-3, 9-1) is in first and needs only one win to clinch at least a share of the district title.
The Coyotes finish the season against Rio Grande City and McHi.
"We had to win that game against McHi on Tuesday, and we needed to win this game against La Joya for us to have a chance," Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton said. "The win also gets a monkey off our backs. We hadn't been able to beat (the Coyotes). They had beaten us like five games in a row."
The last time the Sharyland faced the La Joya, the Rattlers blew a five-run lead late in the game to lose. Bickerton said the Sharyland defense failed the Rattlers in the teams' previous meeting, but the ‘D' came through Friday.
Sharyland turned three double plays and committed only one error. In the fifth, with runners on second and third, La Joya's Javier Ramirez hit one deep to left. Rattlers left fielder Omar Berrones caught the ball and then threw out Jesse Treviño at third for the third out before the runner at third could score.
"That was a good heads-up play," Bickerton said. "The last time we played them, we didn't play defense. We scored five runs last time, so I think the defense was the difference."
Offensively, the Rattlers received a solo home run from Adam Peña in the first inning and a two-run home run from Andre Rodriguez in the third, his ninth homer of the year.
"I told the team that we can't put our whole season on this one game," Coyotes coach Reuben Farias said. "We are still in first, and we just need to keep on going. Tonight, we just didn't execute."
Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.
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Playoff Chase
Plenty of heated races as season slows down
With the season winding down, there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up with regard to the playoff picture.
>> District 30-5A: La Joya (9-0) holds a 1 1/2-game lead over McAllen High (8-2) and a two-game lead over Sharyland (7-2) for the top spot in district, and the Coyotes need to win only one of their remaining three games to clinch at least a tie for the district title. The Rattlers and Bulldogs need a La Joya collapse. Two of the Coyotes' last three opponents are Sharyland and McAllen High. ... McAllen Rowe (4-5) needs to hold off Rio Grande City (3-6) for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Wednesday, April 16
Shary Beats McHi
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Orozco homers for sharyland
McALLEN - Sharyland blew a six-run lead and then needed one extra inning for an important District 30-5A win.
Center fielder Mario Orozco hit a two-run homer during the eighth inning to put the Rattlers on top for good in a 12-9 win over the McAllen High Bulldogs on Tuesday at McAllen High.
"It was great to hit that home run," Orozco said. "It was my first one of the year, and it helped our team."
Sharyland added a third run in the eighth after right fielder Andre Rodriguez's hit went under first baseman Sal Limon's legs.
Angel Ibañez, the starting pitcher for Sharyland, capped the scoring in the eighth inning with a double that plated two more runs and a 12-7 edge.
But even with the five-run eighth, the Rattlers had to hang on to win. The Bulldogs scored two more runs in the bottom half of the inning and had the tying run at the plate, but McHi third baseman Steven Solis grounded into a forceout to second to end the game.
"I am very proud of these kids because they hung in there and fought back," Bulldogs coach Eliseo Pompa said. "They could have easily folded. We had the tying run at the plate. He hits it out, we are tied."
The win keeps the Rattlers (24-3, 7-2) in the hunt for a league title, but the Bulldogs (17-9, 8-2) can lay claim to it if La Joya loses its last three games.
"We had to win this game," Orozco said. "We lost to McHi and La Joya, but we showed we are back and together."
Each team struggled to muster any offense until the fourth inning.
With two outs in the top of the inning, the Rattlers began a hit parade. After back-to-back singles, first baseman Matias Brizuela doubled in both runs for a 2-0 Rattlers lead.
Sharyland sent 10 batters to the plate during the inning, collecting seven hits and taking a 6-0 lead.
The Bulldogs answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. McHi sent eight batters to the plate and had four hits in the inning.
McHi cut the lead to 6-5 in the fifth inning after right fielder Tim Ford's single plated Alvaro Moreno.
Sharyland added to its lead in the sixth inning on Marco Rodriguez's triple that scored Orozco from second to give the Rattlers a 7-5 lead.
The Bulldogs did not go away, answering with two runs in the bottom half of the inning off an Albert Vizciano double.
"(The Bulldogs) have a good young ballclub," Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton said. "They have a scrappy group of players over there."
Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.
Wednesday, April 16
Rodriguez making up for lost seasons
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Rodriguez making up for lost seasons
MISSION - In arguably its biggest week of the season, Sharyland will have one of its leaders on the field.
Senior outfielder Andre Rodriguez is 100 percent healthy for the first time since his freshman campaign and will finally be able to contribute to his team's late-season push. This week, the Rattlers take on District 30-5A rivals McAllen High (today) and La Joya (Friday), critical games to their league standing.
Rodriguez suffered a broken wrist in a car accident just before his sophomore season, playing sparingly to end the 2006 season. Last season, he struggled with his back, which required offseason surgery.
"He has been a leader on the team since his sophomore season, but he has had to do it from the bench," Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton said. "I think the team, and himself, would have really liked him to be a leader on the field. It's really not the same unless you are on the field."
Rodriguez, who owns Sharyland's single-season home run record with eight, said it was frustrating knowing there was nothing he could do to help the team.
"I am excited about the second half of the season and the playoffs," Rodriguez said. "The last two years we lost to (Harlingen) South. I didn't get to play the last two years against (South) because I got hurt, obviously. I am definitely ready to play in the playoffs and contribute more."
Before Rodriguez's accident, expectations were high for the senior, who was named the District 30-5A Newcomer of the Year in 2005. The honor seems almost ages away to Rodriguez after the lost seasons of '06 and '07. He said he is playing with a sense of urgency in '08 to make up for the last two years.
"We knew he was going to have a big year," junior second baseman Adam Peña said. "I could tell it was real hard watching him see everyone play and him not being able to play."
One of the setbacks of the injuries had been the dwindling interest from Division I college programs. Both Bickerton and Rodriguez said college recruits showed strong interest early in Rodriguez's career but have backed off somewhat because of the injuries.
Academically, Rodriguez has been accepted to Baylor, Houston and Missouri. He said he is confident he can walk-on at the school he eventually chooses.
"If he's healthy, he's a five-tool guy," Bickerton. "He can throw, he can hit, he can run, he just has to be healthy for a long period of time. It's hard to use the scholarship on a guy you are not sure about.
"You have to be a really tough kid to go through what he went through and come out his senior year and help out."
Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.
Tuesday, March 25
McHi Bulldogs Upset No. 6 Sharyland Rattlers
| McHi Bulldogs Upset No. 6 Sharyland Rattlers Updated: March 21, 2008 09:29 AM CDT The first statewide high school baseball poll came out Thursday and the Sharyland High School Rattlers are ranked at No. 6 in Texas. But the rank held little weight on Thursday when the Rattlers faced the McAllen High School Bulldog. McHi took the venom out of the Rattlers' bite with a 7-5 win. Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association - Class 5-A Rankings
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Links to Ex-Rattlers
Alex Brummel http://athletics.schreiner.edu/Baseball/roster.htm
Jaime Garcia Stats for Spring Training w/ Cardinals http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=stl&baseballScope=SL4&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&statType=Overview&timeSubFrame=23&sitSplit=&venueID=&Submit=Submit&timeFrame=1
Oseil Flores http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/Osiel-Flores.shtml
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Jaime Garcia at Spring Trainning
Tuesday, March 11
Rattlers rally to defeat Bobcats at PEN
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The Monitor
MISSION - Second-ranked Sharyland came from behind to defeat No. 3 Edinburg High 5-4 on Saturday and win the championship game of the PEN Classic at Sharyland.
The Rattlers erased a four-run deficit and win the game when Matias Brizuelas hit an RBI double to score Marco Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh.
Sharyland improves to 15-1 on the season and swept the all-tournament superlative list. The MVP was junior shortstop Angel Ibañez, the offensive MVP was junior second baseman Adam Peña and the defensive MVP was Omar Berrones.
The all-tourney team consisted of Rio Grande City's B.J. Valadez, PSJA High's Danny Orozco, Edinburg High's Michael Barajas, Michael Kasprzynski, and Andrew Silva. Sharyland representatives included Brizuelas, Marco Rodriguez and Andre Rodriguez.
Thursday, February 14
Shary Finishes Scrimmages at Home vs Edinburg North 5:00 Friday
Scrimmage results
Shary 8 Hidalgo 3
Shary 9 PSJA North 3
Shary 1 Mission 1
Andre Rodriguez |
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Baseball & Softball collect over 800 cans for Tabasco Flood
Wednesday, September 26
Winter League Games
Sharyland (M) 5 Rowe 2
Sharyland (I) 14 PSJA North 4
Shary Fresh 4 Edinburg North Fresh. 1
Sharyland (I) 5 La Joya 4
Shary Fresh 4 Rio Grande City JV 5
Harlingen Tourney
Shary 12 Kingsville 1 - Shary 5 Robstown 0 - Shary 2 Robstown 3
Sharyland Tourney
Shary (M) 1 McHi 5 - Shary (M) 3 Brownsville 4
Shary (I) 5 Brownsville 4 - Shary (I) 2 La Joya 4
Shary (M) 3 Hidalgo 1 - Shary (I) 6 La Joya 7 - Shary (M) 4 La Joya 3
Championship Game - Shary 7 Brownsville 5
Oct. 21 Shary vs PSJA (forfiet PSJA did not show)
Nov. 3 Shary (M) 8 vs Edinburg 6
Fresh 8 vs Alamo Select 2
Shary (I) 16 vs Edcouch 5
Wednesday, July 4
Tijerina Signs With the Mets
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Wade Baker
June 30, 2007 - 1:35AM
The Monitor
MISSION Ismael Tijerina received the chance he was looking for.
Now the former Sharyland baseball standout will have to work his way up from the bowels of the minor leagues to fulfill his dream, as the 18-year-old pitcher/shortstop signed a free agent contact with the New York Mets on Friday morning.
Tijerina likely will begin his professional career in an instructional league in Florida or possibly playing in Venezuela, his high school coach Barton Bickerton said. Hes currently enrolled in summer school at Sharyland, where he hopes to graduate after the second session. Tijerina originally was planning to attend the Univeristy of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.
Im not really surprised, Bickerton said. When I went over to (Tijerinas) house for the signing, his family had all of his baseball uniforms from when he was a little kid. They have all of that stuff, like a museum. But thats what baseball means for his family. He has a baseball family, thats his sport, and he wants to make a career out of it.
Tijerina was the staff ace for the Rattlers this past season, owning an 8-4 record on the mound with a 1.92 ERA in 69 1/3 innings pitched to go along with 78 strikeouts.
At the plate, Tijerina hit for a .315 average in 89 at-bats, along with adding 34 RBIs, 18 runs scored, three home runs, two triples, four doubles and 13 stolen bases on a Sharyland team that finished 25-8.
Tijerina participated in a tryout Thursday night at Sharyland, along with 10 or 11 guys from the Valley and four or five guys from Mexico, Bickerton said. The Mets gave La Joyas Juan Martinez a strong look as well, Bickerton said. Martinez plans to play in the fall with Texas A&M-International, his high school coach, Reuben Farias, said.
Wade Baker covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4450.
Thursday, May 17
Former Rattler Signs With Indians
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Wade Baker
The Monitor
May 15, 2007 - 12:34AM
EDINBURG Sitting in the front seat of a Dodge Charger with Cleveland Indians scout Les Pajari on Sunday afternoon, catcher Osiel Flores less than one hour after playing in his final collegiate baseball game became a professional.
Flores, a fifth-year senior catcher for the University of Texas-Pan American, had been in conversation with Pajari throughout the season. Pajari saw Flores play in parts of four games this season and called the senior Thursday morning as the Broncs were packing the team bus for the drive to Texas Christian University for the three-game weekend series.
Pajari told Flores that he was making the trip to Fort Worth with intentions of offering him a contract.
After the game I went into the locker room, got dressed and then went outside and signed the contract in his car, said Flores, whose fifth-year status gave him the option to sign as a free agent or enter Junes MLB draft. It wasnt fancy or anything. The car was nice, but I just pretty much signed a couple of times and it was done. It wasnt exactly what you dreamed of. But I was in a hurry, too. The team bus was waiting behind us all the guys were taking photos and stuff but I was holding them up.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Flores, a former Sharyland standout, made the switch from second base and shortstop to starting catcher this past season.
He hit for a .325 average the second-best mark on the team to go along with 27 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
Flores also threw out 15 runners attempting to steal this past season.
The thing I liked about Osiel is his athletic ability, said Pajari, the Indians South Texas scout. I saw him in the Texas A&M series earlier this year and just fell in love with his work ethic. You never know how these things pan out. You can project like crazy, but you really just have to wait and see. But with Osiel you can tell that kid is dedicated. He has dedicated his life to baseball.
After Junes MLB draft is complete, Flores will report to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League. The Scrappers, located in Niles, Ohio, play a short-season schedule (76 games) from June 19 through Sept. 7.
It took him about three weeks to make the transition to catcher, said UTPA coach Willie Gawlik, whose team finished the season with a 17-36 record. But after those three weeks, you could tell the game just slowed down for him. And after that, his average started to skyrocket. Right now Im just happy for Osiel, because he really deserves this opportunity.
Like they say, hes the first one here and the last one to leave. He has that type of work ethic.
The 22-year-old Flores also was receiving interest from the Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals, he said. Had he went through the MLB draft in June, he likely would have been a late-round selection, although its always tough to figure out what a team is thinking, Pajari said.
But with his deal already signed with the Cleveland Indians, there will be no drama during the draft for Flores. Instead, he will be busy working out and packing his bags for the three-month stay with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Its a dream come true, Flores said. Im excited and everything, but probably not as much as most people would expect. But my ultimate goal is to get to the major leagues, and hopefully in a few years thats where Ill be.
So Im happy, but Im not satisfied.
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GOING SOUTH
GOING SOUTH
Hawks end Rattlers' year in area round
By Paul Conatzer, Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN Harlingen South had one more comeback than Sharyland did.
Down by one run in the sixth, the Hawks scored twice to take a 5-4 victory in the rubber match of a three-game series against the Rattlers in a Class 5A area-round playoff game Saturday at Harlingen Field.
South advances to the regional quarterfinals for a meeting with Weslaco High (27-6). Details are to be determined.
I woke up this morning, and I knew we were going to win. I didnt know how, but I had a feeling, South coach Tony Leal said. Sharyland is a great team. This was a great series.
The Hawks (31-4) won because they were aggressive on the bases, and Sharyland wasnt able to come up with the defensive play.
After Sharyland rallied to take a 4-3 edge in the top of the sixth, South answered in the sixth.
Michael Johnson opened with a double to left off Sharyland starter David Perez. Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton made a pitching change and brought in Game 1 starter Ismael Tijerina, who retired Peter Maldonado on a pop-up.
Then Javier Torres (2-for-3, two runs scored), who drove in the game-winning run in Game 1, singled to right. Sharyland right-fielder Alex Ramirez made the throw to third and Johnson was held up. However, Torres took off to second, and Sharyland third baseman Tucker Oakley threw the ball into center field, allowing Johnson to score.
Torres came steaming around third, made contact with Oakley and stumbled. The third-base umpire didnt hesitate to rule interference on Oakley and waved Torres home.
Game 1 winner Danny Gidora, pitching in relief of Brown, closed out the Rattlers (25-8).
This was a tough way to lose, Bickerton said. Theyre a great team. They just made some more plays than we did.
Sharyland scrapped back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game with two runs in the fourth on a single by Tijerina. The Rattlers took the lead in the sixth on a walk, a passed ball, a single and an error, but the Hawks turned two defensive plays to end the inning.
Maldonado, Brown and Johnson combined to double up Oakley at third as he was trying to advance on a fly ball to right field. Then Ramon made another big play, throwing out Tijerina on a steal attempt
Monday, May 7
Sweep Feeling: Rattlers roll past visiting Bulldogs
Sweep Feeling: Rattlers roll past visiting Bulldogs
Pikey Rodriguez
May 5, 2007 - 2:25PM
MISSION The Sharyland Rattlers are getting hot at the right time.
The Rattlers raced past the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs 10-1 on Friday in Game 2 to sweep their best-of-three Class 5A bi-district baseball series behind the strong pitching of sophomore right-hander Marco Rodriguez.
Sophomore third-baseman Tucker Oakley clubbed a grand slam to break open the game, as Sharyland pounded out 26 hits and scored 22 runs in two games. Sharyland captured Game 1 12-2 in six innings on Thursday.
Right now my main concern (is) our injuries, Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said. We need to get healthy. Weve got some kids injured right now, but I hope getting an extra day off will help.
Rodriguez (4-1) pitched six strong innings before giving way to David Perez in the seventh. Rodriguez allowed just two hits and was near perfect through the first four innings, allowing only a base on balls.
Marco threw well today, and we were able to score some runs for him, Bickerton said. With Alex (Ramirez) injured, we started Marco. We dont know if (Ramirez) will be able to pitch again because of an elbow injury.
With Sharyland ahead 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Oakley drilled a 2-1 pitch over the left-field fence for his second home run of the season. Cesar Guerrero, who was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, drove in the other run as the Rattlers exploded for five runs to increase their advantage to 10-1.
We just ran into a really good team, Alexander coach Tim Bertholf said. Im pleased with the season we had. We got off to a slow start, and the kids really came around.
Alexander (13-19) was making its 12th straight playoff appearance. The Bulldogs were 3-15 and 1-3 in district early in the year before winning 10 of their last 12 games to earn a postseason bid.
Robert Lopez (3-5) took the loss for Alexander. Juan Gonzalez also worked on the mound for the Bulldogs.
Sharyland (23-6) scored runs in all but the sixth inning. The Rattlers plated two runs in the first and solo runs in the second, third and fourth innings. All 10 runs came after two outs.
Ramirez singled across the first run of the game, and teammate Andre Rodriguez drew a bases-loaded walk to score another run in the first inning.
Guerrero walked and continued running to second, allowing Mario Orozco to score from third and increasing the lead to 3-0 after two innings.
Orozco entered the game to run for Marco Rodriguez, who singled.
Catcher Beto Ochoa added an RBI single in the third, and Ramirez doubled across a run in the fourth.
Its good getting to play teams that have eliminated us in the past during the playoffs, Bickerton said. The grand slam by Tucker really helped us out. Alexander had gotten within four runs of us. We squandered some runs early and they gave us a little scare, but we were able to respond.
Sharyland advances to the area round where the Rattlers meet state-ranked Harlingen South. No. 7 South swept Los Fresnos in their best-of-three playoff series.
Wednesday, April 25
Coyotes sweep away Rattlers
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By Wade Baker
April 20, 2007 - 11:32PM
LA JOYA The Coyote howl is loud and strong.
For the third time this season including a District 30-5A two-game sweep No. 3 La Joya defeated No. 2 Sharyland 4-2 on Friday night at La Joya.
With the Rattlers (19-6, 8-2) known as the baseball factory of the Rio Grande Valley, the season sweep is another boost of confidence for the surging Coyotes (24-3, 9-1).
I thank God everyday that he has given us a really good team, because I firmly believe teams have to play their best to beat us this year, La Joya coach Reuben Farias said. We knew coming in that if we wanted a chance to play for the district title that we needed this game. And like our guys have done all season, they came to play tonight.
Sharyland missed out on the chance to wrap up the outright district title with a victory, only having district bottom feeders McAllen Memorial and Donna left on the schedule.
La Joya, on the other hand, still must face McAllen High and Rio Grande City a pair of playoff-bound teams to conclude its regular season schedule. So even with the win, the District 30-5A championship is far from settled.
You want to beat the No. 1 seed no matter what, Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said. But you know, you lose to the same team twice in district and chances are thats probably not going to happen. But like last time, they came through in the clutch.
The Coyotes tagged starter Ismael Tijerina (6-3) for nine hits, six coming during the decisive four-run third. La Joya used a trio of softly hit singles from Cruz Garcia, Adrian Pena and Javier Acevedo to begin the inning with the bases loaded and no outs.
Olie Hinojosa followed with a run-scoring double play, then teammate Miguel Peña answered with a clutch two-out RBI single for a 2-0 advantage. Juan Martinez and Danny Zuniga sandwiched a pair of RBI doubles to left around Roy Garcias single to finish off the four-run inning that saw six of eight batters reach base on hits.
We need to close out our schedule like we did this game, said La Joya starter Miguel Peña (7-2), who pitched a complete game three-hitter while throwing 120 pitches and going 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI. Sharyland is always the team to beat, so when you beat them three times in one season, you must be doing something right.
Sharylands only serious scoring threat came during the top of the fifth, when the Rattlers responded with two runs on one hit and a pair of errors. But with runners on second and third with no outs, Peña wiggled out of the jam with little damage.
Two out hits killed us, Bickerton said. Ismael is our guy on the mound, but he has to close the door with two outs. Those two-out hits, as they normally do, did us in tonight.
Wade Baker covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4450.
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Shary Baseball @ MaxPrep
Sunday, April 15
Rattlers continue hold on Bulldogs
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By Pikey Rodriguez
April 14, 2007 - 12:13AM
MISSION The Sharyland Rattlers continue to have McAllen Highs number.
Second-ranked Sharyland jumped out to a 5-0 lead and then held on for a 5-3 victory over fourth-ranked McHi in a District 30-5A showdown.
The Rattlers have now beaten the Bulldogs four times over the past two years.
We just cant seem to get over the hump, said McHi coach Eliseo Pompa, who saw his squad fall to 19-7, 7-3 in district. You cant take anything away from Sharyland, because they have a good ballclub.
Senior right-hander Alex Ramirez (4-0) pitched 6 2/3 innings before giving way to Ismael Tijerina, who gained credit for the save. Ramirez threw 112 pitches, allowed five hits and struck out three. Tijerina needed just two pitches to close out the contest on a solid fielding play by second baseman Cesar Guerrero.
Alex is still not in pitching shape, Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said about his senior ace. Hopefully hell be ready by playoff time.
Sharyland (19-5, 8-1) and McHi already have secured postseason bids.
Ramirez also came up big with his bat, going 2-for-3. He drove in Sharylands second run of the game in the third inning, and Marco Rodriguez produced an RBI single in the second.
The Rattlers added two runs in the fourth on a solo home run by Andre Rodriguez and a successful double steal that plated David Perez, and the fifth run scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
McHi started its rally in the sixth when losing pitcher Will Mettlach (2-4) tripled across Joaquin Hinojosa, who drew a walk. Whitney Lee clubbed a two-run home run in the seventh, scoring Albert Vizcaino (2-for-3), who singled to lead off the inning. Mettlach threw 98 pitches during six innings before giving way to Adrian Leal.
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Former Rattler Jaime Garcia Wins First Double A Game
April 9, 2007 - The Springfield Cardinals picked up their first win of the 2007 season on Monday night, knocking off the Frisco RoughRiders by a score of 6-2 at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco.
The young kids stepped up on Monday evening as a trio of 20-year olds helped the Cardinals avoid a fourth straight loss to open the year. Colby Rasmus and Bryan Anderson each collected two hits and two RBIs, while Jaime Garcia worked five innings in picking up a win in his Double-A debut.
A struggling Springfield offense exploded for four-first inning runs, taking some pressure off Garcia in his first outing of 2007. Rasmus put the Cards on the board at 1-0, doubling to right-center field to score Jon Jay, who also had two hits for Springfield. Rico Washington followed two batters later with a double of his own, plating Rasmus to make it 2-0. With two outs and two aboard, Anderson capped the inning with a double to left-center field, scoring a pair for a 4-0 Springfield lead.
The Cards added to their lead by getting a run in the second. After Frisco starter Kea Kometani (0-1) issued a two-out walk and allowed Reid Gorecki to steal second, Rasmus singled home Gorecki for the 5-0 advantage.
Garcia (1-0) was touched in the second, as he walked Saloman Manriquez and then gave up a two-run blast to left field by Kevin West, making it 5-2.
The Cardinals? starter left after five innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. He recorded five strike outs, issuing three walks.
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Shary Sweeps Rio Grande City
Sharyland completed a district sweep of Rio Grande City Tuesday night. After a first round win (3-0) the Rattlers defeated Rio 6-3 to stay in a tie with La Joya for 1st place in district.
Sharyland will play at home this Friday vs McHi @ 7:00. McHi sits in 2nd place with a 7-2 record.
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Shary Moves Into 1st Place After 1st Round of District
Sharyland sits tied for first in District 30 AAAAA. Sharyland and La Joya are 6-1, one game up on McHi and Rio Grande City who are 5-2.
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Rattler Pictures for Sell
Baseball Picture Archive
Contact Information :
Zar Castillo
zar@zarphoto.com
Mobile - 956.648.1215
Sunday, April 8
La Joya beats Sharyland, takes control of District 30-5A
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Pikey Rodriguez
March 23, 2007 - 10:07PM
MISSION The La Joya Coyotes just keep getting better.
In a battle of ranked District 30-5A teams Friday, third-rated La Joya utilized a 13-hit offensive attack en route to knocking off No. 4 Sharyland 9-5 and taking over solo possession of first place. The Coyotes improved to 18-2, 4-0 in district.
We got big hits at key times, La Joya coach Rueben Farias said. We were able to come through with clutch hitting that carried us.
Justin Garza broke a tie at 4 in the sixth inning with a towering solo home run, and the Coyotes added four insurance runs during the seventh to preserve the victory. Javier Acevedo, Juan Martinez, Roy Garcia, Cruz Garcia and Adrian Pena all had two hits apiece for La Joya.
Meanwhile, Sharyland suffered its first district loss in 1 1/2 years. The Rattlers (14-5, 3-1) drop into a second-place tie with Rio Grande City after RGC blanked McAllen High 5-0 on Friday at home.
We cant continue making errors the way we have the past two games, Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said. Weve made four errors in each of the past two games. You cant do that in our district and expect to win.
The Rattlers were coming off an emotional 8-6 nine-inning victory over McHi on Tuesday.
Sharyland had senior right-hander Ismael Tijerina (4-2) on the mound Friday looking for a big home victory. Tijerina threw 129 pitches before being relieved by Marco Rodriguez in the seventh.
La Joya countered with sophomore ace left-hander Miguel Pena (4-1, two saves), who allowed 12 hits and struck out six to gain credit for the win. He threw 116 pitches and was able to get out of a big jam in the fifth inning when right fielder Adrian Pena threw out Cesar Guerrero trying to score from second on a single to right by Tijerina. Martinez also threw out a runner trying to steal third in the fourth inning.
They came through when they needed and we didnt, Bickerton said. We played the same as we did against McAllen, but we werent able to close them out tonight.
Sharyland took a 3-0 lead after one inning. Tucker Oakley singled across one run, and Tijerina produced two RBIs with a single. The Rattlers added solo runs in the third and seventh innings. Alex Ramirez, who went 3-for-4, had both RBIs.
The Coyotes started their comeback by scoring twice in the second and adding two runs in the fifth. Cruz Garcia singled in one run, and Acevedo had the other RBI.
Sharyland transfer Roy Garcia drilled a 1-2 pitch into left field to score one run in the fifth, and another run scored on a balk.
Garcia hit a two-run home run in the seventh, and Pena and Acevedo also produced RBIs
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Edinburg 10K Results 2007
35 Comer, Gage 45:53 7:23 190 156 Mission TX
36 Flores, Israel 52:59 8:32 364 303 Mission TX
70 Rowland, Bryan 56:37 9:07 480 394 Mission TX
52 Fuentes, Xavier 56:02 9:01 459 380 Edinburg TX
64 Kline, Casey 1:00:00 9:39 577 465 Mission TX
78 Brizuela, Matias 1:00:33 9:45 603 478 Mcallen TX
81 Rodriguez, Ricky 1:02:26 10:03 677 537 Mission TX
111 Rosales, Aaron 1:03:19 10:11 726 578 Mission TX
48 Bickerton, Coach 1:05:17 10:30 772 614 Mcallen TX
121 Brummel, Alex 1:07:32 10:52 823 652 Mission TX
102 Bickerton, Baylr 1:07:32 10:52 824 653 Mcallen TX
128 Berrones, Omar 1:10:44 11:23 908 698 Mission TX
133 Hernandez, Adan 1:11:52 11:34 931 714 Mission TX
140 Ramirez, Ray 1:13:55 11:54 979 745 Mission TX
145 Tijerina, Ismael 1:14:33 12:00 996 757 Mission TX
Sunday, May 14
Rattlers Advance to Regional Quarters
Sharyland's Ramirez recovers to down Edinburg High in Game 1
May 12,2006
Michael A. Pullen
Special to The Monitor
EDINBURG Sharyland pitcher Alex Ramirez didnt bring his "A" game Thursday night.
In the opener of a best-of-three area-round series against the Edinburg Bobcats, Ramirez walked nine batters seven during the first four innings but his team avoided the erratic behavior for a 7-1 victory.
Ramirez, however, only allowed two hits in the game.
The two clubs resume their series at 7 tonight at Sharyland. The Rattlers (30-3) will send Ismael Tijerina (5-1) to the hill while the Bobcats (16-12) are expected to counter with freshman Justin Anthony (6-0) in hopes of knotting the series.
Ramirez (8-1) had to work his way out of a few jams in giving up just one run in the third inning to the Bobcats, but Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton had his hook ready to pull Ramirez early on in that same stanza.
"Very close," Bickerton said about how near he was to relieving Ramirez. "But hes done that the last two or three games. So, hes been through this before.
"He doesnt panic."
Neither did the Rattlers in general. They battered Edinburgs Andrew Silva (5-4) for 10 hits including a stand-up triple by Ramirez and doubles each by Tijerina and Omar Berones, both of whom drove in three runs. Tijerina (2-for-4, two RBIs) joined teammates Victor Treviño (2-for-4, one RBI) and J.D. Corey (2-for-3, one RBI) with multiple-hit performances in helping produce three runs in each of the fourth and seventh frames.
Out on the diamond, the Rattlers didnt make an error while the Bobcats committed five.
"Sharyland plays tough defense, very consistent defense," Edinburg coach Rick Perez said. "They also like to punch it, and they have good speed (Sharyland had four stolen bases). But defensively, they can shut you down.
"Well have to play Bobcat baseball with some intensity (tonight) if we want to step it up and force a game on Saturday."
The winner of the Sharyland-Edinburg series moves on to face the Laredo Martin-Harlingen South survivor in the regional quarterfinals next week.
Tuesday, April 18
State-Ranked Rattlers Bite Bulldogs
(Mission) - With only three games left in district play, Sharyland pitcher Alejandro Ramirez overcame a shaky second inning start to halt McHis bid of a last inning rally to win 6-3 in the T-Mobiles Game of the Week. With the win, the Rattlers stay perfect at 7-0 in District 30-5A and upped their season record to 25-3. We took advantage of two-out situations and our hitting improved tonight, said head coach Bart Bickerton.
The No.5 State 5A ranked Rattlers took advantage of three McHi errors to score four runs throughout the game. Ismael Tijerina hit a hard grounder to the Bulldog shortstop, but the play was bobbled, putting him safely at first. Starting pitcher for the Bulldogs (5-3), Joaquin Hinojosa who allowed six hits, watched Peyton Oakley hit a high fly ball to mid-center field, but both outfielders were undecided as to who would make the play, which led to a dropped ball in the bottom of the fourth inning. J.D. Corey would then get a base hit for Sharyland, scoring Oakley with two outs. Hinojosa was tough on the mound tonight for McHi. We knew that we had to get on him quickly. Hes a great competitor, added Bickerton.
With McHi trailing 6-2 in the top of seventh, Ramirez walked his first batter, and with two runners in scoring position, Hinojosa took a crack to left center catching Centerfielder David Perez off guard, where he mishandled the ball, giving the Rattlers their first error of the night, and a Bulldog run.
On the mound, Hinojosa allowed five hits, hit one batter, and struck out five; while Ramirez finished the night with eight strikeouts and three walks.
With the win, the Rattlers clinched a playoff spot and need a victory over Rio Grande City to wrap up the 30-5A district title. The loss drops the Bulldogs to third place. Leading the Rattlers were David Perez, Alex Ramirez, Ismael Tijerina, and J.D. Corey, all with one hit. Victor Trevino led Sharyland with two hits.
by David A. Amador
HSSM Sportswriter
hssmonline@yahoo.com
Wednesday, March 29
Ramirez, Rattlers eke past Bulldogs
Ramirez, Rattlers eke past Bulldogs
March 29,2006
Wade Baker
The Monitor
McALLEN Even without his best stuff, Sharyland ace Alex Ramirez was too much for McAllen High.
Ramirez, the junior right-hander for the top-ranked Rattlers, allowed four hits and struck out a game-high 10 on his way to leading Sharyland to a 2-1 District 30-5A victory against the seventh-ranked Bulldogs on Tuesday night at Ted Uhlaender Field.
"Alex was a little shaky early, but he threw the ball hard tonight," said Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton, whose hurler improved to 4-1. "He went mainly fastballs, maybe about 85 percent or so. They werent catching up to the fastball, so why change?
"I thought Alex came through for us and did an outstanding job."
Fielding errors plagued McHi (13-9, 1-1) throughout, including in the opening inning when two throwing miscues allowed Sharyland (20-3, 2-0) to plate the games first run as leadoff man Beto Ochoa crossed home plate.
JD Corey produced the game-winning hit during the top of the fifth when he lined the first offering from junior Will Mettlach (3-3) into left field to plate teammate Ismael Tijerina, who reached base earlier on a one-out double to left-center.
"We had our chances," said McHi coach Eliseo Pompa, whose team committed five errors. "The problem is we just gave them one chance too many. You cant make those errors and expect to win. Its just that simple. But we feel like were in good shape. You have to remember, we started district 0-2 last year. So to us, this isnt a bad place to be right now.
"We think were a team to contend with in district."
Mettlach fanned two and gave up five hits, two walks and one earned run in the complete-game loss. The junior also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, single and triple as he was the only player with multiple hits.
His counterpart, Ramirez, walked three in his complete-game victory.
"We cant fault Will," Pompa said. "When he pitches a game like that we should get a win."
Despite playing what Bickerton called "two bad games" to open district play, Sharyland finds itself at the top of the league standings. The Rattlers opened the district slate with a 16-6 road victory against McAllen Rowe. In that game, however, the Rattlers were down 6-2 with two outs in the fifth inning before rallying.
"When you can win two games like this on the road, thats always a good sign," Bickerton said.
Wade Baker covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4450. For this and more local stories, visit www.themonitor.com.
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Tuesday, March 28
Sharyland 7th Grade
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Tuesday, March 28
Junior High Teams Go 4-0 Over the Weekend
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1st game
Shary 5 EE 4
Casey Klein 3 rbi with a double, 1 for 1 and 2 BB
Baylr Bickerton 5 strikeouts, 4 BB 2 unearned run
Smedley 4 strikeouts, 1 BB 1 earned run, 1 unearned
2nd game
Shary 11 EE 3
Jared Denton 7 strikeouts, 3 BB
3 unearned runs
Thursday, March 23
Shary Beats Carroll 4-2
Carroll's big bats wake up too late
By JAVIER BECERRA Caller-Times
March 22, 2006
It's not the kind of game Lee Yeager expected the Carroll baseball team to play in its final tune up before district.
Mission Sharyland ace Alex Ramirez held the Tigers to only three hits in a 4-2 victory Tuesday night at Cabaniss Field. The Rattlers, meanwhile, collected 10 hits off Carroll's Pete Neff, including a solo home run and run-scoring triple by Cesar Guerrero.
"We beat them the first time we played and sometimes when that happens you get a little relaxed," said Carroll coach Lee Yeager, whose team defeated the Rattlers 8-3 at Sharyland last week. "They got up on us early and we couldn't come back. We faced a pretty good pitcher, but we're going to have to hit guys like that to win district games."
Neff went to a full count on the game's first batter, catcher Beto Ochoa, whose grounder he fielded for the first out. However, things quickly unraveled after Marco Rodriguez grounded out to shortstop.
Facing a 2-2 count, Guerrero lifted a shot to right field for a solo home run that put Sharyland in front 1-0.
"Pete's a groundball pitcher, so it's kind of shocking for him to give up something like that - especially with two outs," Yeager said.
That didn't keep Sharyland from adding to its lead.
Ramirez followed with a base hit to center field and promptly stole second. Victor Trevino's single to right scored Ramirez to give the Rattlers a 2-0 lead.
Neff recovered and gave up only two hits over the next four innings before running into trouble in the top of the sixth.
Ochoa led off with a base hit to right and took second on a wild pitch. He advanced to third on a ground out by Rodriguez and scored easily on Guerrero's triple to the gap in left-center field.
Guerrero scored two batters later on Trevino's second hit of the game to give Sharyland a 4-0 advantage.
Still, the Tigers weren't done.
Carroll catcher Zach Luevanos drew a five-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the sixth and was replaced at first base by courtesy runner Steven Silvas. Jimmy Bailey then made up for two previous pop flies with a towering blast to left field to bring the Tigers to within 4-2.
In his first trip to the plate, Bailey popped up to Ramirez on the first pitch he faced. He popped up to third on the second pitch his next time up.
Bailey's third at-bat again lasted only two pitches, only this time the ball landed at the top of the bleachers behind the left-field fence.
"We have a couple guys in the lineup that can turn the ball around pretty quick," Yeager said. "Jimmy has some power, and he's a guy we're going to count on to do some things for us. We think he has enough pop to get us back in ballgames, and he showed that tonight."
Non-District
At Cabaniss Field
MISSION SHARYLAND 4, CARROLL 2
Sharyland2000020 - 4 10 1
Carroll0000020 - 2 3 1
WP - . LP - . 2B - C, Frankie Vasquez. 3B - S, Cesar Guerrero. HR - S, Guerrero; C, Jimmy Bailey. Highlights - S, Guerrero 2-3, 2RBI, 2R, Victor Trevino 2-3, 2RBI, Beto Ochoa 3-4, R; C, Bailey 1-4, 2RBI, R, Vasquez 1-3, Chris Arredondo 1-3. Records - Sharyland 18-3 overall, Carroll 12-7.
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or HYPERLINK mailto:becerraj@caller.com becerraj@caller.com
Sunday, March 12
Shary Wins 2nd Straight Tourney
Down, Not Out
March 12,2006
Peter Rasmussen
The Monitor
Injured Guerrero leads Rattlers to win
MISSION Sharyland pitcher Cesar Guerrero said he was not 100 percent in his complete-game victory against PSJA High as his right arm was bothering him after being hit by a pitch during the top of the first inning.
Guerrero still was good enough to lead the top-ranked Rattlers to a 6-3 championship win against the No. 6 Bears on Saturday in the Doctors Hospital Annual Spring Classic.
"It affected me the whole game," Guerrero said.
Sharyland (15-1) avenged its only loss of the season against PSJA (11-3), along with adding its second tournament title to the trophy case (La Joya Invitational).
"Its good to get a win over them, especially since they have beaten us pretty handily the last two times we faced them," Rattlers coach Barton Bickerton said. "Of all the great teams this school has had over the years, this may be the best start we have ever had."
During Guerreros seven innings on the mound in which he gave up three runs, three hits and struck out three, he did not show any signs of an ailing arm.
He even helped his cause with a two-run triple during the bottom of the sixth inning that gave the Rattlers a three-run lead going into the final inning.
The Rattlers jumped on the Bears early with four runs during the first inning.
"The first inning kind of set the tone," Bears coach Steve Flores said. "It is hard to get anything going against a tough team like Sharyland. You never know. A little call this way or that way and the game might have gone our way."
The Bears have faced eight of the Rio Grande Valleys current top 10 teams and had a chance to upset the Rattlers late in Saturdays championship game.
Guerrero only gave up one hit through five innings, but struggled with his team ahead 4-0 during the top of the sixth. PSJA picked up its first run on a fielders choice. Rattlers third baseman Ismael Tijerina could only get the force out at third on an Adrian Garza hit, allowing Rigo De La Cerda to score from third. The Bears picked up two more runs on a C.J. Arenas single to left to trim the lead to 4-3.
It looked as if the momentum had shifted, but Guerrero, who finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate, deflated the Bears hopes with his triple in the bottom half of the inning. He then shut down PSJA in the top of the seventh inning.
For his efforts, Guerrero was named tournament MVP, his second such award this season. Last week, he walked away with the hardware at the La Joya Invitational.
"It feels good about (winning the MVPs), because I have been going out and giving my best effort," said Guerrero, used mostly on the mound as a reliever. "I like coming out of the bullpen better, but they needed me to pitch today.
"It doesnt bother me when I start."
Peter Rasmussen is a sports reporter for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448. For this and more local stories, visit www.themonitor.com.
Sunday, February 26
Rattlers Finish 2nd in McAllen Tourney
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| Matt Lewis and Payton Oakley | |
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Sharyland Rattlers 2006
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Sharyland Junior Varsity
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Sharyland Freshmen
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| Shary Naranjeros |
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Shary 8th Naranjeros
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Click on 10K Results to see how Rattler players did in the Edinburg 10K. To see pictures click on Albums on the website.
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The Sharyland Narannjeros 8th grade team opened their season with 2 scrimmages at Alamo this Saturday. Both games ended with loses for the Naranjeros. Shary lost by scores of 5-1 to the McAllen Blackhawks and 9-8 to the Alamo Select Team. The first game featured several great plays from Scott Myers in the outfield and 2 turned double plays by Mike Smedley and Casey Kline.
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Sharyland baseball finished its' 2005 off-season and winter league this semester. Sharyland Varsity #1 finished the winter league with a 11-2 record. During off-season testing Beto Ochoa won the off-season championship. Ochoa's team the "Ochos" also won the team competition. Finishing out the top ten was:
1. Beto Ochoa Jr.
2. Andre Rodriguez So.
3. David Perez Jr.
4. Marco Rodriguez Fr.
5. Cesar Guerrero Jr.
6. Patrick Mackie So.
7. Matt Lewis Sr.
8. Omar Berrones So.
9. Payton Oakley Sr.
10. JD Corey
2005 Best
Over and Under - Omar Berrones 14
60 - Tyler Williams 6.87
40 - Andre Rodriguez 4.8
Mile - Beto Ochoa 5.52
Bench - Roy Garcia 225
Squats - beto Ochoa 385
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| Off-Season Team Champs |
Dogs sweep Rattlers,
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By ROLAND FLORES
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
MISSION The Alexander Bulldogs are headed to the Region IV Class 5A semifinals after
a tight 2-0 win over the Sharyland Rattlers to sweep the best of three series Friday night
at Rattler Stadium.
Alexander awaits the winner of Smithson Valley and Corpus Christi Carroll whose three
game series began Friday night in Corpus Christi.
In a pitchers duel, first baseman Eric Rodriguez hit a tworun home run in the sixth inning
to break the scoreless tie and provide starter Danny Cantu all the run support he needed.
It was a boost of confidence for Cantu, who suffered a dismal outing in his last playoff start
against Brownsville Pace.
Cantu pitched a complete game for the shutout victory scattering three hits while striking
out three. He also hit two Rattler batters.
Erics two run home run gave me more confidence on the mound and our defense held up.
They played great, Cantu said.
He continued, It was huge for me to bounce back after the last series. It was a battle between two good teams and Im just happy to get to the next round.
Rodriguez silenced the Rattler fans with his two run blast to left field and finally gave the
Bulldogs some breathing room. Cantu took care of the rest.
Rodriguez said, The home run was a big hit because both teams were battling and Danny
was pitching good. We feel pretty confident right now because we hit the ball well and we came
through with the clutch hit. We took care of business and now were ready for the next round.
In a close game Alexander skipper Tim Bertholf was glad to see a good outing from Cantu
and a clutch hit by Rodriguez. He (Cantu) was huge. He did a great job all night and
coach (Eric) Perkins did a heck of a job of calling the game. We were still concerned even
though we were up 2-0 because their kid was throwing a great game, as well. Whoever scored
first was going to win.
Rodriguez led Alexander at the dish with his two-run blast and Joe Rubio added two hits.
Also with hits were Kike Granados and Cantu.
David Perez was the losing pitcher. He gave up five hits and walked four batters but struck
out six.
Sharylands three hits went to Alex Ramirez, Beto Ochoa and Edwin Candenado.
Rattlers Lose Game 1 to Alexander
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The series shifts to Sharyland today with game two scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Rattler
Stadium and game three, if necessary, is Saturday at 2 also in Sharyland.
Alexanders Luis Guerra out dueled Sharylands Alex Ramirez in the opener.
The win was a team thing, Luis had a great game. I told the kids that we have to play
defense and get timely hits, Alexander head coach Tim Bertholf said.
Guerra pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and striking out three.
Ramirez had eight strikeouts and three walks before being pulled in the fifth.
The Bulldogs led from the first inning, after Danny Cantus fielders choice brought Kike Granados home.
Granados had led off the inning with a single. The Rattlers spoiled a chance to tie it in the second, when they had Joey Mackie at third base with one out.
The Bulldogs Guerra got Luis Rivas to hit a chopper in front of catcher Javier Martinez.
Martinez held Mackie at third and got Rivas out at first.
Guerra got the Rattlers next batter to hit a roller right back at him, putting an end to the threat Alexander added to its lead in the fourth when an A.B. Renterias single to center right field brought in Joe Rubio.
The Rattlers stranded two out of their three total runners in the fifth inning. Alexander stranded five. The Bulldogs had seven hits in the contest and put the game seemingly away with a four run fifth inning.
The fifth inning started with a Willie Martinez lead off walk and ended with a Martinez
fly to the left fielder. The Rattlers surrendered only two hits, but had a crucial error and four walks. In the inning the Rattlers decided to intentionally walk Danny Cantu and load the bases, in order to face the Bulldogs clean up hitter in Javier Martinez.
Cantu was 0-for-2 at the time. Martinez had reached on an error and struck out
in his previous at bats. Martinez came through with a two RBI hard liner
that went past the short stops legs and into center fieldRubio extended the lead further with a liner down left field that brought home Cantu.
The Rattlers changed pitchers in the inning and handed the ball to Cesar Guerrero with the bases loaded.
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| Victor vs PSJA North |
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Rattlers grab series win
May 15,2005
Pikey Rodriguez
Special to The Monitor
MISSION After being run ruled in Game 1, Sharyland bounced back to sweep a doubleheader from PSJA North and claim the best-of-three series.
Sharyland (25-8) moves on to the Class 5A regional quarterfinals. The Rattlers will play Laredo Alexander at a time and date to be decided Monday. The Bulldogs beat PSJA High.
Little-used sophomore right-hander Cesar Guerrero relieved ace Alex Ramirez after 1/3 of an inning and went on to toss a six-hitter to lead the Rattlers to a 13-7 victory over the Raiders in Game 3. Sharyland blanked PSJA North 12-0 in Game 2 in a contest called after five innings.
"That was an unbelievable series," Sharyland coach Bart Bickerton said. "I guess if youre that young, you dont get shook up. The kids didnt let Fridays loss bother them."
North (17-9) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first in Game 3. Ramirez left the game after facing only six batters. Guerrero allowed only two more runs the rest of the way.
"Cesar has been our top relief pitcher all year," Bickerton said. "He came in and did a heck of a job."
The Raiders increased their lead to 6-0 after two innings on a solo home run by Jerry Salinas. Sharyland started its comeback by scoring three runs in the third and adding five more runs in the fourth to take an 8-7 lead.
"It seemed like we just ran out of gas," PSJA North coach Jaime Perez said. "People doubted us all year, and I guess we let the Valley know we were for real. We lost to one of the best teams in the Valley."
Sharyland put the game away by scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth. T.J. Lujan started on the mound for the Raiders before being lifted in the fourth. Mark Gonzalez went the rest of the way.
Brett Tredaway, Joey Mackie, Ramirez and Beto Ochoa all had two hits apiece to lead a 12-hit attack. Ramirez drove in three runs, and Tredaway added two RBIs. The Raiders were led by John Perez and Oscar Gutierrez, who had two hits apiece.
In Game 2, sophomore David Perez (5-1) picked up the win. Perez allowed three hits in pitching a shutout. Tony Lerma (8-3) took the loss.
Sharyland exploded for eight runs in the second inning. Tredaway doubled across two runs while Ramirez also produced an RBI. The Rattlers closed the scoring, adding three runs in the third.
"These little guys are tough," Bickerton said of his squad. "They will battle you all the way."
Tredaway drove in three runs, and Ramirez and Victor Trevino had two hits each.
Sharyland, competing in its first year in Class 5A, defeated Laredo Nixon in bi-district. District 30-5A has all three of its playoff representatives alive in the playoffs (La Joya, McAllen High).
Playoff Pictures at Bay Area Sports
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Shary won its' first 5A playoff series with a 2-0 sweep of the Nixon Mustangs. C. Guerrero and A. Ramirez were the stars of the first game as Ramirez tossed a 5 hitter and gave up one unearned run. Guerrero scored both of the Rattlers runs in the 2-1 win including a inside the park homerun.
Shary came from behind to win game two 7-4. David Perez threw a 4 hitter and like Ramirez in game one did not give up earned run. B. Tredaway, C. Guerrero and A. Rodriguez all came threw at the plate in a big 5 run inning in the 5th.
Nixon had a pair of two-run leads erased. The Mustangs scored twice in
the first inning and twice in the fourth for 2-0 and 4-2 cushions. Sharyland (22-6) erupted for five runs in the fifth.Ramon Benavides (3-2) started for Nixon. He was relieved in the fifth by Jerry Aguilar. David Perez pitched the distance for the Rattlers. He struckout three and walked three. Benavides and Roli Lopez scored in the first inning on an overthrow at first
base by the third baseman. Designated hitter Michael Camarillos double chased home two
Mustang runs. Benavides, Camarillo, Vicente Robles and Humberto Aleman had the
Nixon hits. Sharyland collected eight hits, including two each by Alex Ramirez
and Hector Rivas.
(Sports editor Salo Otero contributed
to this story)
Ramirez keys Rattlers victory
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April 13,2005
Pikey Rodriguez
Special to The Monitor
McALLEN Sharyland pitcher Alex Ramirez didnt have his best stuff Tuesday night, but the sophomore right-hander was good enough to lead the Rattlers past McAllen Rowe 14-7 in a District 30-5A baseball game at McAllen Rowe.
With the victory, Sharyland moves into a tie for first place with La Joya with identical 5-1 records.
The Coyotes lost to McAllen High 2-1 on Tuesday night. The Rattlers improve to 18-5 overall.
Ramirez (6-2) threw 122 pitches before giving way to Cesar Guerrero in the seventh inning after hitting the leadoff batter and walking the next hitter.
Ramirez struck out three and issued seven walks.
Rowe (18-6, 3-3) used four pitchers, including Josh Garza, who was just brought up from junior varsity. Mike Munoz (4-2) started and took the loss. Mike Gracia and Mike Juarez also worked on the mound for the Warriors.
Joey Mackie led the way in a 14-hit effort for Sharyland with four hits and three RBIs. Brett Tredaway added three hits and drove in one run, and Beto Ochoa went 2-for-4.
The Rattlers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning.
Rollie Salinas led off the game with a walk. Sharylands first four batters scored, as nine players came to the plate. Andre Rodriguez doubled across three runs, and Guerrero singled in another run.
Rowe cut Sharylands advantage down to 5-2 by scoring twice in the second. Gracia doubled, scoring Mike Juarez and Nati Mendiola.
Sharyland added a solo run in the third on a bases-loaded walk to Salinas. The Warriors got within one run (6-5) after four innings. Munoz drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third, and a fielders choice by Rene Lopez plated another run. Juarez and Jimmy Sikkink produced RBIs in the seventh.
Sharyland put the game away by scoring three runs in the fifth and sixth innings, and two in the seventh.
The Rattlers will be on the road again Friday at McAllen High. Sharyland defeated McHi 6-5 in the first round.
Shary Wins La Joya Tourney
For the second time in 3 years the Rattlers went undefeated in the La Joya Tourney and captured the tournament ...
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Sharyland finished their scrimmages with a 4-1 record. Shary beat Hidalgo and Harl. So. 5-2 in their openning tri-scrimmage. Next the Rattlers shut-out PSJA North 5-0. The Rattlers split their final 2 scrimmages vs United South and Edinburg North. The Rattlers pounded United So. 12-4, but dropped their last scrimmage 8-5 to Edinburg North. K. Cruz, A. Alanis and C. Guerrero highlighted the 5-0 shut-out of PSJA No. as they scattered 3 hits over 7 innings.
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Valley Snow
Go to Albums to see more snow pics
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| Jaime Garcia former Rattler |
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Click on the headline above to go to the Naranjeros website to follow Jaime Garcia in the Pacific League.
Former Rattler Signs With Reds
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"This is something that Marco always wanted," said head baseball coach Willie Gawlik. "We talked on a consistent basis about how his goal was to play professional, and now it's exciting to see him earn the opportunity. We are going to miss him, but I know that all of his teammates are pulling for him to succeed at the next level."
During the 2004 season, Garza led the Broncs in batting average (.356), hits (64), at-bats (194), runs scored (44) and tied with 28 RBI en route to earning first team All-Independent honors. He was also second in doubles (10) and third in stolen bases (11).
Garza broke Leo Salinas and Matt Siskowski's record for all-time hits when he collected his 190th career base knock against Oklahoma (May 15). He also set a UTPA single-game record with seven hits against Oral Roberts (Mar. 21), which was tied for third highest in NCAA Division I history.
Garza will join the Cincinnati Reds' organization with former Bronc Jesse Gutierrez, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Southern League All-Star Game in Chattanooga, TN, on July 13th.
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UTPAs Garza signs with Cincinnati
August 19,2004
Blake Daniels
The Monitor
EDINBURG Former University of Texas-Pan American standout second baseman Marco Garza will have a chance to wear the Cincinnati Reds pinstripes.
Garza, 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday in Bay City, Texas. The former Sharyland High player reports to Florida in February for spring training.
"This has always been my dream," he said. "As soon as I got the chance, it was the best decision for me to go pro, but I will miss my teammates."
Garza, who leaves UTPA as the career hit leader with 193, made his decision to turn pro after his junior season. Miscommunication between Garza, UTPA and pro scouts kept him from being chosen during the June 2004 MLB Draft.
"My high school coach (Bart Bickerton) said they would have drafted me, but there was a misunderstanding," the 21-year-old Garza said. "The scouts thought I was going to come back for my senior season, but I never said I was."
The Cincinnati Reds South Texas scout Steve Schnall said Garza was informed by the Broncs that he must complete a required summer session course to participate with UTPA during his senior campaign. When Garza didnt attend summer school, UTPA baseball coach Willie Gawlik was disappointed by his decision.
"He is one of our key contributors," Gawlik said. "He talked to me about turning pro last year and if he was given the chance he would sign. Its disappointing that hes gone, but its not every day that a UTPA baseball player signs a pro contract. I try to get the players to stay and finish college, but I guess he can come back and finish later. Its a great opportunity for him to do what he has always wanted to."
The past two months Garza has spent his time playing baseball in Mexico and has had an offer to sign a contract and play in the Pacific League in Mexico.
"The Orioles recommended me to play in Mexico, but Mike Powers, the Reds head scout, told me it was better to stay here and play in the minors over here."
Garzas one-year contract with the Reds guarantees him a monthly pay check of $850 with the opportunity of an increase if he advances to the AA, AAA or MLB during the 2005 season.
The Pacific League offered Garza a contract worth $2,500 a month and an undisclosed signing bonus.
Before signing, Garza hadnt been seen much by pro scouts. But the door quickly opened for Garza when Schnall, along with fellow Cincinnati scout Manny Rodriguez, hosted a tryout earlier this month at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.
"Manny went to see my tryout and then he called me," Garza said. "Schnall was the one that recommended me to the Reds. Manny said he liked the way I fielded the ball, ran the bases and hit. He knew I could run, but he wanted to see me hit and field ground balls the most."
Garza leaves UTPA ranked in the top 10 of seven career categories. He is No. 3 in at-bats (590), No. 8 in runs (114), No. 6 in RBIs (98), No. 5 in assists (372), No. 2 in doubles (38) and No. 1 in triples (10).
"He is very strong," Schnall said. "He can be a valuable contributor to the Reds organization. Plus he is a great asset with his speed, which is excellent. Hes got great athletic ability, range, hands and arm strength. He has everything we look for as scouts."
Blake Daniels covers UTPA baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4664.
Garcia Drafted By Orioles - click for info
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| J. Garcia 3rd from right was dafted by the Orioles | |
Wade Baker
The Monitor
MISSION High school pitcher Jaime Garcia may have been chosen in the 30th round of the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, but that doesnt mean the left-hander was overly pleased with his selection.
Garcia, a 17-year-old junior at Sharyland, was thinking hed go a little higher in the draft.
However, by the time a team was willing to take a chance on the high school standout, it was just after noon during the second day of the draft. Garcia was selected No. 889 by the Baltimore Orioles.
"We really expected him to go in the 10th round," said Bart Bickerton, Garcias high school coach. "The Astros were interested in him hed worked out for them several times and we thought they were going to take him high.
"Obviously hes excited about getting drafted. I mean, hes 17 and got drafted. Not many people can say that. But it hurts because we thought hed be gone before the first day ended. Getting selected in the 30th round was a lot lower than we were banking on."
And getting selected in the 30th round will put a dent in Garcias expected bank account. Instead of a reasonable signing bonus, Garcia can expect around $1,000 at the most for his talents from the Orioles, baseball scouts told The Monitor.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Garcia, a native of Reynosa, couldnt be reached by The Monitor.
"Theres a lot of speculation in the draft," said Joe Almaraz, the Baltimore Orioles Texas and Central America baseball scout who is based in San Antonio. "You have guys that are projected to go in the first round that dont get picked until the 15th or 20th round. We have some guys we expected to go around the 15th round that still havent gone and its after the 40th round now.
"We talked to Jaime earlier (Tuesday), and he seemed pleased about the situation."
Until four weeks ago, Sharyland and MLB teams thought Garcia had another year remaining of high school baseball, Bickerton said. However, after a closer look, it was ruled that Garcias eligibility had been used.
Thats when Almaraz was informed by MLB that Garcia was eligible for the 2004 draft. Bickerton said he immediately informed the scouts he knew as well. Included in the list of scouts who have seen Garcia personally during the past month were the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros.
"I think Jaime was hurt because he just found out four weeks ago that he used his eligibility," Bickerton said. "We were really shocked he went this late. We were convinced that the Astros were going to take him. They were really high on him. Now Jaime has to sit down and weigh his options, and its not going to be an easy decision."
Garcia has four decisions he can make, Bickerton said.
Sit out this year, graduate high school and enter the MLB draft again next year.
Go to a baseball academy in Central America.
Forget about MLB and join a Mexican League team
Agree to a contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Almaraz said he and Garcia would discuss his future later this week.
"Jaime is really in a tough spot," Bickerton said. "He was really put in a rough situation for a kid his age."
Garcias numbers for the past two years at Sharyland is the only certainty the left-hander has.
He owned an 18-4 record during that time and set the school record for strikeouts in a single season. Garcia, who throws consistently in the high 80s, had 112 strikeouts in 49 innings this past season as he went 7-2 and held a 0.98 ERA. During his sophomore campaign, Garcia fanned 140 and owned an 1.11 ERA.
"Ive followed him for a long time," said Cincinnati Reds South Texas scout Steve Schnall. "Ive had a personal workout with him before, and hes got the tools. Hes got a ton of upside. Now hell go to a rookie league, if he signs, and find out if he has what it takes to play in the majors. There are lots of people that get drafted in the first round that never make it.
"You have some guys that get drafted in the 40th round that make it. You never know in baseball."
Wade Baker is the Deputy Sports Editor of The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4450.
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After three straight years of advancing to Regionals the Rattlers were pinned with a 4-3 loss to Beeville Jones in the Area round of the State Play-offs. Sharyland fell behind early in the 1st inning 1-0 after a Beeville lead-off walk and Rattler error on a sac bunt started the game. Beeville would take the early lead on a infield hit deep to short. Beeville added another run in the 3rd after another lead-off walk was moved to second on a passed ball. Beeville's second run would score on a throwing error by JP Mackie. Sharyland would eventually tie the score at 2-2 before Beeville hit a 2 out 2 run homer in the 5th to take the lead 4-2. The homer was the only homer that J. Garcia had given up in his career as a Rattler. Sharyland would later add a run to pull within 1 in the bottom of the 7th but would strand a runner at third on the final out. Shary out-hit the Trojans 8 hits to 4, Garcia finished with 12 K's.
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Sharyland now ranked 5th in the state has won it's 5th straight district title and will move on to play in the area round vs the winner of Robstown and the 3rd place team from district 29AAAA. Parents Night will be on Tuesday vs Brownsville Porter at 7:00, this will also be the Rattlers warm-up game before the playoffs. Sharyland will play it's final district game vs Mission at Mission on Friday night.
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Sharyland won it's 17th straight game Friday night in a slugfest with Mission Vets 18-13. Shary jumped to a 13-0 lead before Vets pounded rattler pitching in the 4th and 5th for 10 runs to close the gap to 13-10. Sharyland added 5 more runs in the top of the 7th and held on for a 18-13 win. C. Caballero was the star at the plate with 2 HRs. J. Garcia, J. Saenz and M. Orozco all had 3 hits.
On Tuesday T. Davis won his 4th straight game with a win over PSJA Memorial 6-4. Davis had 9 k's and J. Saenz hit his first homer of the season.
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| Townsend vs United So. Pictures can be bought from Bay Area Sports |
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J. Garcia and T. Davis trew back to back no-hitters as the Rattlers moved to 15-4 overall and 5-0 in district. Garcia struckout 14 of the 15 batters he faced, allowing only one groundball. Davis shutdown Roma for his third straight win.
In other news Shary moved into the number 1 spot in the Valley and entered the state poll at #9.
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Sharyland won its 8th straight game Tuesday night in its district opener against Edinburg High 7-1. J. Garcia continues to rack up double digit strikeouts as he struckout 14, one away from his season high of 15 vs McHI.
Sharyland also won the 1st Annual Stars Drive In Tourney with a 3-0 record. Shary slipped past Weslaco East 6-5 and then went on to ten run rule Rowe (10-0) and McAllen Memorial (13-2).
JP Mackie and Cesar Caballero both had their first homers of the season in the tourney.
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Sharyland finished the Alice Tourney with a 2-2 record after losing to CC Carrol and Brenham, and beating Alice and PSJA North. J. Maldonado and R. Townsend picked up their first wins of the season as Maldonado blanked Alice and Townsend struck out 10 in a 8-1 win over North.
In the LaJoya Tourney the Rattlers lost their first game 4-1 to Donna but went on to capture 3rd place with 4 straight wins. R. Townsend picked up his second win with a 13-1 win over Laredo Martin while J. Garcia blanked McHi in the night game 4-0. Garcia had 15 K's. Jose Garcia picked up his first varsity win in a 9-1 win over Zapata and freshmen A. Ramirez picked up his second win with a one hit performance over Eagle Pass in the 3rd Place game of the LaJoya Tourney, Ramirez also hit his first varsity homerun.
A. Ramirez was named to the All-Tourney Team.
Shary Goes 1-1 in Scrimmages
Sharyland ended it's pre-season scrimmages with a record of 1-1 after 2 games were rained out early in the season. Sharyland tagged a 9-1 loss on McAllen Memorial in the openning scrimmage of the year. Standouts for the Rattlers were J. Garcia on the mound in 3 scoreless innings of work, T. Davis and A. Ramirez also threw scoreless innings. JP Mackie and J. Maldonado had great games at the plate.
In Sharyland's second scrimmage the Rattlers were beaten 4-1 in 7 innings at Edinburg North. The Rattlers were unable to produce at the plate and gave up all 4 runs in a big 4th inning for the Cougars. R. Townsend pitch 3 strong scoreless innings for the Ratllers. J. Mackie came off the bench to provide one of the few bright moments on offense as he doubled in his only trip to the plate.
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Sharyland, Hidalgo Scrimmage Rained Out
The Rattlers were only able to get in 1 inning Tuesday at Hidalgo. The game was rained out with the Rattlers batting in the top of the 2nd inning. Jaime Garcia gave up one hit and struckout 3 in his one inning of work. Shary will play PSJA North on Saturday at 1 pm at home.
Sharyland Moves to 5A Next Year
Sharyland will move to District 30 5A for the 2005 season. District 30AAAAA will include McHi, McAllen Memorial, Rowe, LaJoya, and Rio Grande City. The cut-off number for 5A was 1,924 students, Sharyland sits at 1,933 students. For more info click above link to the UIL site.
Rattlers claim top ranking
Rattlers claim top ranking
By Ernie W. Webb III
The Monitor
MISSION Rio ...
Haines Signs With Blinn
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| Tim Haines Signs With Blinn |
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Picture of Rattler Field after the recent flood. To see more check the Albums link.
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A list of the top-hitters in the Valley and Corpus area. This website also has past records and stats for each team and all-time leaders in all hitting categories.
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