HARLINGEN — Harlingen South baseball player Chase Roberts has decided to continue his playing career at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
“This means a lot to me,” he said Tuesday at his signing ceremony. “I have worked so hard, my whole life, since I was 3 for this moment. I am going to soak it in with my family. I am ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
Roberts, the four-year letterman, has played second base, third base, shortstop and pitcher for the Hawks during his career. He pitched six innings and only gave up three runs Tuesday night in a big win against Weslaco High.
“Chase has been a blessing to our program,” South coach Chris Gracia said. “For four years he has given us everything he has. He is whatever player you need from him, very proud of him.”
At OLLU, Roberts plans on studying criminology with aspirations of becoming a game warden. He grew up on a ranch and spent plenty of time hunting and fishing.
On the field at OLLU, it is still unclear where Roberts will play.
“Whatever position I excel at, they will move me to that spot,” he said. “Wherever they need me to help the team, I will be there.”
Also, as a youth, Roberts played baseball for select teams, playing in huge tournaments around the country and delivering in pressure moments.
“When he puts his mind to something, he will achieve it,” said his mother, Linda.
His parents spoke about the sacrifices Roberts made to achieve his success in the sport. They both said they could not be prouder of their son.
“A lot of work behind the scenes that people do not see,” Todd Roberts said. “Hot summer nights and days, batting cages, fielding and working hard when nobody is looking. It has been a dream of his.”
There are only three games left in the District 32-6A season. The Hawks will finish their current series with Weslaco High on Friday and face the Los Fresnos Falcons next week as they jostle with Brownsville Rivera for the fourth seed.
“We did not have the best start,” Roberts said. “We still have that chance for the playoffs, we just got to stay focused and practice. We have some really tough games coming up, but we have a chance at the fourth seed.”
