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Tuesday, March 14, 2000

Baseball capsules

District 28-5A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Moody

'99 PLAYOFF TEAMS - Victoria, Carroll

PREDICTED FINISH (first-place votes in parentheses) - 1, Moody (6); 2, Victoria (1); 3, King; 4, Victoria Stroman; 5, Carroll; 6, Ray; 7, Miller

TOP PLAYERS - Carroll: 2B Matt Lopez; OF Lee Tristan. King: 2B John Alvarez; SS Jose Amador. Miller: OF Dexter Rhines; 2B Gabriel Martinez. Moody: P-SS Gene Flores; P-1B Rene Recio; C David Castillo; P-3B James Trevino; OF Bobby Mora; OF Jared Cooper; OF Orlando Rodriguez. Ray: P-1B Mike Olmos; OF Jacob Luevanos; P Toro Trevino. Victoria: P-SS Tommy Cook; P-3B Daniel Macha; C Jason Pickett; OF Aaron Mize. Stroman: P David Kendrick; OF Phillip Valenzuela; P Clayton Meyer 3B Manuel Gonzalez.

OUTLOOK - A Region IV-5A finalist a year ago, Moody is the odds-on pick to win. Nine senior starters, headlined by All-South Texas picks David Castillo (C, .525 batting average, 42 RBI), P-SS Gene Flores (9-1, 2.00 ERA, .349), P-3B James Trevino (7-0, .321) and OF Bobby Mora (.440, 25 RBI), and a deep pitching staff puts the Trojans in line for the district title. . . . P-SS Tommy Cook, P-3B Daniel Macha and C Jason Pickett headline Victoria's returnees. The Stingarees need the pitching staff to come through for a fifth straight playoff trip. . . . Traditionally a strong starter, King needs a large group of inexperienced players to come along quickly if the Mustangs are to end a two-year playoff hiatus. Sophomore 2B John Alvarez (.327) and senior SS Jose Amador (.329) are the lone returning players. . . . Stroman (11-3) is off to a quick start but offensive production will determine whether the Raiders make the playoffs for the first time since 1992. C Jason Pickett, P David Kendrick, OF Phillip Valenzuela and 3B Manuel Gonzalez are the top returnees.
   Carroll made the playoffs last year with a pitching staff by committee. It gets tougher this year with no pitching experience. Senior 2B Matt Lopez hit .301 a year ago, but part-time starting OF Lee Tristan is the only other Tiger with playing time. . . . Inexperience also is the concern at Ray, which hasn't reached the playoffs since 1991. The Texans have returning pitching in Toro Trevino and Mike Olmos and OF Jacob Luevanos returns. From there, the questions mount. . . . First-team all-district OF Dexter Rhines (.345, 21 SB), P-2B Gabriel Ramirez (.321) and P-1B Manuel Robledo (.418) top the list of Miller returnees. With 17 lettermen, the Buccaneers figure to be much improved from last year's 7-19 club.
   District 31-4A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Calallen

PLAYOFF TEAMS - Alice, Robstown

PREDICTED FINISH - 1, Calallen (5); 2, Alice (2); 3, Robstown (1); 4, Gregory-Portland; 5, Flour Bluff; 6, Kingsville; 7, Tuloso-Midway; 8, Rockport-Fulton

TOP PLAYERS - Alice: OF Mark Garza; SS Manny Maldonado; P-OF J.P. Pruneda. Calallen: 3B Jason Broughton; C Clint Miller; DH Derek Reuschapt. FB: P-OF John Paul Barta; OF Daniel Baker; C Noe Vela. G-P: P Anthony Cortez; OF P.J. Hernandez; P Eric Moreno; C Shawn Santos; 1B Mark Seibert. Kingsville: 3B Robert Garza; P-SS David Esquivel. Robstown: OF-P Tony Garcia; SS Kyle Gunn; C Aurelio "Blue" Marroquin. R-F: P-OF T.J. Pina. T-M: OF Eloy Perez; 3B Jesse Saenz.

OUTLOOK - Calallen coach Steve Chapman is quick to point out that only two Wildcats had significant playing time last season. The Wildcats' JV, of course, won the district title and will try to duplicate the feat at the varsity level. C Clint Miller and P Jason John are back, although John has yet to pitch this season. The Wildcats, one of three area teams to post 30-plus wins, stroked a school-record 56 HR a year ago in reaching the state tournament for the fifth time in the '90s. DH Derek Reuschapt, 3B Jason Broughton, OFs Sam Gordon and Kirk Hubble and SS Brandon Wittner all received some playing time during Calallen's 42 games of '99. . . . Alice and Calallen squared off in a memorable three-game series for the Region IV-4A title last season at Cabaniss Field. If the Coyotes are to return, coach Victor Escamilla has to find replacements at several key positions. All-South Texas OF-P J.P. Pruneda (19-2, .379), OF Mark Garza (.382), SS Manny Maldonado and part-time starting P Nick Garcia return. ... Robstown will be battling with as many as five teams for a playoff spot. Only three starters return - P Tony Garcia, C Auerlio "Blue'' Marroquin and 3B Gabriel Longoria. Kyle Gunn, a second-team 2B at T-M a year ago, has moved into the Cotton Pickers' starting SS position. The Cotton Pickers have two runner-up finishes in tournaments thus far. . . . Eight starters return for G-P, headed by second-team 31-4A picks Eric Moreno (P, 4-5, 3.30 ERA), OF P.J. Hernandez (.345) and 1B Mark Seibert (.354). But the Wildcats have to do better than the .234 team batting average of a year ago if they're to improve from 10-16.
   All-South Texas pick John Paul Barta (6-3, 2.71 ERA, .482 batting average, 6 HR, 33 RBI) is back to help return Flour Bluff to the playoffs. Senior OF Daniel Baker (.361, 3 HR, 16 RBI) and senior C Noe Vela (.382) are the other two returning starters for the Hornets, which means they must find a No. 2 starting pitcher and replace their infield. . . . Kingsville got a late jump thanks to the basketball team's deep run in the playoffs. But two all-district honorees - SS David Esquivel and P-3B Robert Garza - are back as the Brahmas try to improve on last year's 8-17 record. They'll be boosted also by OFs Chris Sturgis and Thomas Hartung and Bishop transfer E.J. Gonzalez.

   District 30-3A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Odem

PLAYOFF TEAMS - Sinton, Aransas Pass

PREDICTED FINISH - 1, Odem (4); 2, Sinton (2); 3, AP; 4, Ingleside; 5, Taft; 6, West Oso

TOP PLAYERS - AP: 3B Delfino Flores; OF Dallas Gilden; C John Stansberry; P John Taylor. Ingleside: 3B Pete Moreno. Odem: OF Matt Curtiss; 3B Isaac Garza; 2B Justin Kurz; P Ross Dillon; P Chuy Gonzalez; OF Dustin Perez. Sinton: SS Emi Alaniz; OF Moses Constante; P Luis Cortez; 2B Charlie Suarez. WO: P Alex Pedraza; P-SS Jesse Salazar.

OUTLOOK - One of the stronger 3A districts around lost some punch with the plethora of talent that graduated. Fortunately, there is a strong cache of players returning, starting with four first-team honorees from Odem. The Owls have eight starters back and pitching experience, but lose OF Herman Wright (.627), an All-South Texas pick selected by the Kansas City Royals in last spring's amateur draft. Ps Ross Dillon and Chuy Gonzalez and first-teamers Justin Kurz (2B) and Dustin Perez (OF, co-junior of the year) comprise the Odem nucleus, but the talent doesn't end there. Seniors Alex Martinez (SS), Gilbert Gonzalez (1B), Matt Curtiss (OF), Issac Garza (3B) and C Brian Gonzales also return. . . . Ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll, Sinton traveled to Austin last June for the third time under coach Gene Kasprzyk. Though senior of the year and All-South Texas pick Rick Dyer is gone, last year's sophomore of the year, P-SS Emi Alaniz (.393, 17 RBI), returns. Five others return, headed by 2B Charlie Suarez (.343,), C Orlando Gutierrez (.310) and junior P Luis Cortez (7-3, 1.61 ERA, 101 Ks). . . . Three first-teamers are set to try and lead AP to its second straight playoff berth. C John Stansberry (.371, 32 RBI), P John Taylor (12-4, 2.84 ERA, 146 Ks, 31 RBI) and 3B Delfino Flores (29 RBI). Four others return for the Panthers, who must improve on their .265 team batting average from a year ago. . . . Ingleside went through a rough season (4-16) in '99, but seven young starters return with hopes of improving that record. Senior 2B Corey Garcia, sophomore P Jake Day, junior P Kevin Burnett, sophomore C Ken Rowe and sophomore SS David Reed head the list.
   District 31-3A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Falfurrias

PLAYOFF TEAMS - Bishop, Hebbronville

PREDICTED FINISH - 1, Fal (5); 2, (tie) Bishop, Hebbronville (1); 4, Mathis; 5, Orange Grove; 6, San Diego

TOP PLAYERS - Bishop: 3B Cliff Knapp; P-1B Cody McCarty; OF Bobby Rios. Fal: P Brian Boerjan; SS Mark Cates; P Rey Guerra; OF Carlos Villarreal. Hebbronville: 3B Bryan Gonzalez; SS Rene Gonzalez; OF-P Rolando Martinez; 1B David Ramirez. Mathis: OF-P Eric Byerley; SS-P Justin Soza.

OUTLOOK - Twelfth-year Fal coach David Salinas has April 25 circled on his calendar. That is when his Jerseys close the season at Hebbronville, which made great strides a year ago en route to a third-place finish. The Jerseys, however, have their top two Ps from a year ago - second-teamers Brian Boerjan (5-3, 2.30 ERA) and Rey Guerra (6-1, 1.80) - first-team junior OF Carlos Villarreal, second-team junior 2B Mark Cates and junior 2B Keoki Guerra. Villarreal led Fal with a .432 average, three HR and 27 RBI. . . . Senior 3B Bryan Gonzalez (.564) and senior SS Rene Gonzalez (.405) give Hebbronville solid returning offensive punch to yet another strong area 3A district. Both were first-team 31-3A selections. P Rolando Martinez (7-4, .310 batting average) also returns, but the Longhorns have to develop five position spot players to make a run. . . . First-team senior Bobby Rios (.400), second-team Ut-3B Cliff Knapp (.454) and second-team P-1B Cody McCarty (.360) are back for Bishop. The Badgers have six other lettermen, but the inexperienced players have to come around quickly for them to bid for their first 31-3A title since '97. . . . Mathis lost its big gun, All-South Texas DH D.J. Martinez, who had 12 HR last year to lead the area. But the Pirates return top newcomer P-SS Justin Soza and first-team OF Eric Byerley. The Pirates haven't made the baseball playoffs since '67, but this has been the year for Mathis athletic teams to stop long playoff droughts (see football and boys basketball). . . . This district produced three state champs in the '90s - Freer in '90, Fal in '91 and OG in '94.
   District 31-2A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Skidmore-Tynan

PLAYOFF TEAMS - Refugio, Kenedy

PREDICTED FINISH - 1, Kenedy (5); 2, Refugio (1); 3, S-T; 4, Karnes City; 5, Three Rivers; 6, Port Aransas

TOP PLAYERS - KC: OF Justin Granado; 1B Clint Hale; 2B Patrick Millington; OF Ringo Vasquez. Kenedy: C Jacob DeLeon; P Richie Rodriguez; 3B Rick Sanchez. Refugio: SS Marc Flores; OF Billy Freeman; P David Gonzales; C Derek Lewis; OF-P Stephen Meza. S-T: 2B Ray Gonzales; C Nathan Haws; SS Kevin Lohse; OF-P Gregg Naranjo. TR: P J.C. Ford; P-3B Quinton Graves.

OUTLOOK - Experienced players will make this race a four-team race at the top between Kenedy, Refugio, Skidmore-Tynan and Karnes City. It will be much like it was last season when three wins separated the four teams in the 31-2A standings. Senior P Richie Rodriguez is Kenedy's top returnee. He had a 10-win season and also hit .429 with 38 RBI. But the Lions also have six other starters returning, led by senior C Jacob DeLeon (.440), sophomore 3B Rick Sanchez (.315) and seniro 2B Juan Munos (.378). . . . Nine Refugio players batted .316 or better last year but the Bobcats were still a sub-.500 team overall despite their runner-up finish. Junior P David Gonzales, an all-district pick, returning after compiling a 6-3 record and hitting .342 in his sophomore year. The experience extends to senior C Derek Lewis (.401, 26 RBI), senior SS Marc Flores (.346, 26 SB), senior OF-P Stephen Meza (.414, 24 RBI) and senior OF Billy Freeman, who was the newcomer of the year after hitting .362 with 18 SB. . . . First-year S-T coach Graig Hesseltine, a former Sinton standout, had five starters off last year's 31-2A championship team. Ray Gonzales (2B) and OF-P Gregg Naranjo top the list. Both were unanimous all-district picks. Kevin Lohse (1B) and C-P Nathan Haws also return, but the Bobcats have some holes to fill in the outfield. . . . Young a year ago, Karnes City returns two first-team players - junior P David Kotzur and senior OF Justin Granado - and three second-teamers - senior 1B Clint Hale, junior 2B Patrick Millington and senior OF Ringo Vasquez. . . . Three Rivers, too, had young players a year ago. Tom Carrera, in his second year back with the Bulldogs, is hoping six starters will be enough to return TR to the playoffs for the first time since 1987, when Carrera guided them to the state tournament. Junior Ps J.C. Ford and Quinton Graves are back, as are junior 1B Brian Jarratt, junior OF Josh Ray and sophomore 2B Brad Lindley.
   District 32-2A

DEFENDING CHAMP - Riviera

PLAYOFF TEAMS - Freer, Kingsville Academy

PREDICTED FINISH - 1, (tie) Freer (4), Riviera (4); 3, Banquete; 4, Kingsville Academy; 5, La Villa; 6, Premont; 7, Benavides; 8, Ben Bolt

TOP PLAYERS - Banquete: P Eli Cantu; P J.R. Pena; C Jesse Resendez. Ben Bolt: OF John Cassanova. Freer: DH Jake DeSpain; P-OF Mario Gonzales; SS Lee Salinas; 1B Michael Villarreal. Academy: 1B Richard Garcia; P Jarrett Harvey. La Villa: P Michael Garcia; OF Danny Garza; C-DH Gabriel Martinez. Premont: OF Sammy Chapa; OF Marcus Johnson; P Jaime Palacios. Riviera: P David Hinojosa; C Frank Lopez; OF David Ramirez. SS Tino Trevino

OUTLOOK - The district's best player resided in Riviera last year. The result was a district title for the Seahawks. If the pattern holds again, the district title is headeed back to Freer. Versatile Mario Gonzales is back to try and lead the Buckaroos deep into the playoffs. Longtime Freer coach John Anderson says Gonzales could play for any Class 5A or 4A school. "I'm a big believer in the team concept," Anderson said, "but Gonzales is the best individual talent we've had here in the last seven to 10 years." The Bucks also return second-team 32-2A picks Jake DeSpain (DH), 1B Michael Villarreal, SS Lee Salinas and 3B Tommy Guajardo. . . . Riviera's cupboard isn't bare, but coach Mike Leal has to replace MVP Tres Gonzalez. Batterymates David Hinojosa (P) and C Frank Lopez are back, as well as first-team SS Tino Trevino. . . . Banquete took its licks last season with a young lineup. The Bulldogs won't be as green despite eight underclassmen being tabbed as starters. "The varsity game experience for these young players will help our team improve in this season," longtime coach Rey Ramirez said. Junior J.R. Pena and sophomore Eli Cantu return on the mound, as does senior Jesse Resendez at catcher. Junior 1B Charlie Otahal, sophomore 2B Benji Ramirez and sophomore OF Nereo Martinez provide the other Banquete experience. . . . Kingsville Academy rode the talents of Robstown transfer Juan Renteria to the state 2A finals a year ago. The Pride, No. 10 in the preseason coaches poll, won't be easy to discount, but they have only two proven players - 1B Richard Garcia and P Jarrett Harvey - on which to build.
   Eight starters return for La Villa, which finished 1 games behind Academy a year ago. Those eight will have to remain healthy and eligible as the Cardinals aren't blessed with depth. Seniors Michael Garcia (6-3 as a pitcher), C Gabriel Martinez (.550), OF Danny Garza (.380) and 1B Pilo Rivera (.375) are the main cogs. . . . First-year coach Tony Pena has six starters to help improve upon last season's 11-10 mark. The middle infield of sophomore 2B Robert Montalvo and junior SS Jaime Mata are the "backbone'' of the Cowboys, Pena said. Speedy OFs Marcus Johnson and Sammy Chapa, P Jaime Palacios and C Mike Carasco round out the core.
   Others

TEAMS ('99 district finish) - Agua Dulce (32-A champion); Beeville (third in 30-4A); Bruni (32-A runner-up); George West (last in 29-3A); Goliad (third place in 29-3A); IWA (TAPPS 3-4A champion, state finals).

TOP PLAYERS - Agua Dulce: P-1B Doug Burroughs, DH Adam Gonzalez; OF Jaime Gonzalez; SS Robert Manrique, P-2B Justin Perez. Beeville: 3B Kevin Champagne; P Arnold Ramirez; SS Manuel Vasquez. Bruni: OF Tommy Cremer; 2B Julio Garcia; OF Gabby Perez; P Rene Ramirez. George West: 2B Charlie Forbes; OF Phillip Hassette; C J.R. Wood. Goliad: 3B Clayton Franke; 2B Koby Reitz; SS Daniel Waer. IWA: SS Nathan Long; C Cody Martinez; P-OF Jeremiah Narvaez; P-DH Al Salinas.

OUTLOOK: Last year's part-time starters are this year's keys for Agua Dulce. The young Longhorns count four players who earned first-team all-district honors a year ago - junior C Mark Rosas, senior SS Robert Manrique, junior 2B Justin Perez and senior OF Jaime Gonzalez. Junior P Doug Burroughs (1-3, 5.38 ERA) was a second-team all-district pitcher and Perez was 3-1 with a 2.59 ERA. As many as six underclassmen will start. Perez (.481) and Manrique (.404) led the team in hitting last season.
   Beeville coach Adolfo Dominguez says flatly, "We should finish first in our district." Emphasis is on the "should." With seven starters returning the Trojans have a good shot to at least improve on last year's 14-15 finish. Senior P Arnold Ramirez struck out 92 in '99. Senior 3B Kevin Champagne, a second-team 30-4A pick a year ago, hit .310 with a couple of homers for the Trojans. Beeville is strong in the infield, with seniors Lucas Wofford (1B), Aaron Gonzales (2B) and SS Manuel Vasquez returning. The outfield appears to be inexperienced, but will be patrolled by multi-sport standouts Ernest Ramos, Joseph Soliz and Dusty Stewart.
   Bruni must find another pitcher to complement Rene Ramirez (6-3). The Badgers do return some offensive firepower in first-team 32-A picks Tommy Cremer (OF, .340), Ramirez (.300) and OF Gabby Perez (.365).
   Fifteen years have passed since George West has made the baseball playoffs. Seven returning starters will try to end that drought. Senior P Joseph Valadez (4-3, .450 batting average) brings back the most impressive numbers for George West. Junior C J.R. Wood, junior OF Phillip Hassette and sophomore SS Charlie Forbes, senior OF Anthony Ponce, junior 1B Brent James and senior DH Michael Gutierrez will give the Longhorns a chance at postseason play.
   Goliad's postseason run ended with a wild three-game series against 3A state semifinalist Sinton. The Tigers have their infield returning - 1B Brandon New, 2B Koby Reitz, SS Daniel Waer and 3B Clayton Franke, the latter of whom is the lone underclassman. Waer batted .437 a year ago and OF Dusty Roberts hit .379.
   Repeating a berth in the TAPPS 4A finals will be a formidable chore, but IWA has the pitching - Al Salinas (1.35 ERA) and Jeremiah Narvaez - and catching - Cody Martinez (.395, 29 RBI) to tide itself until the offense comes around. Narvaez, named to the state all-tournament team, batted .442 as an outfielder and SS Nathan Long hit .385 a year ago. Those players and a stable of newcomers will need to fill the voids of All-South Texas player Brandon Trevino and All-Metro pitcher Sam Tisdale.


Compiled by staff writer George Vondracek. He can be reached at 886-3731 or by e-mail at vondracekg@caller.com

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