VMS All-Star Baseball: Hernandez aided Greyhounds’ rise
By EDWARD SEVERN
Staff Writer
San Benito finished third this season in District 32-6A, making the playoffs and finishing with the school’s highest win total in its history. A key part of the Greyhounds’ success was catcher Armando Hernandez.
Hernandez is the Valley Morning Star’s 2022 All-Star Baseball Most Valuable Player.
“Getting this award feels good,” Hernandez said. “I have been working all my life. I have been playing since I was 4. During the offseason I worked hard, every day, to get better. I am happy to leave San Benito on a good note.”
Hernandez was voted co-defensive player of the year for District 32-6A. San Benito coach Ramiro Partida said Hernandez’s defensive play behind the plate was instrumental to the team’s overall defense.
The catcher’s ability to throw out runners attempting to steal was respected. Because of his skill, the defense was set up for success.
“I expected a lot from him,” Partida said. “He did what he was supposed to do. When runners got on base, I knew they were not going to go. With him behind the plate, I knew our defense was better because of it.”
San Benito finished the season with 19 wins. Hernandez’s batting average this season was .423 on 33 hits. He drove in 19 runs and also hit 10 doubles.
“Armando was automatic offensively,” Partida said. “We knew he was going to get on base and, with his speed, we knew he was going to score easily. He was a big part of our team.”
Offensive Player of the Year
Jeremy Cavazos Harlingen High
The Star’s 2021 All-Star Baseball Most Valuable Player, Thomas Lyssy, went down with an injury early in the season. The Cardinals needed players to step up to make the playoffs.
Cavazos was one of those players. He batted .351, drove in 29 runs and hit two home runs this season for the Cardinals.
“I did not get it for my district, so it is nice to see that I got something,” Cavazos said. “It feels great.”
Cavazos said he felt comfortable at the plate this season.
“There were not many nerves, like there used to be,” he said. “My consistency at the plate was a lot better this year because of how I felt at the plate: calm and relaxed.”
Cavazos said the season did not go the way the Cardinals wanted it to, but he was happy with his senior year and had fun with his teammates. Not being able to play his sophomore year helped him enjoy this season.
“This would not have happened without God, my family, my teammates and my coaches,” he said. “They helped me through all of this, and it all worked out.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Xander Casarez, Harlingen South
After being asked to play a new position this year, Casarez stepped up and was named co-defensive player of the year for District 32-6A.
“I am extremely grateful,” Casarez said. “I just want to thank God, my parents and my coaches for giving me the opportunity to play and show what my talent has.”
Casarez said he has not played catcher for 10 years, but the team needed him to make the tranisition from outfielder to catcher.
“I knew I could step up, be that leader and take that responsibility,” he said.
The Harlingen South quarterback also pitched for the Hawks this year. Casarez said he had a great year on the mound, had more command of his pitches and would not have had the success he had without his teammates.
“I really think we kick started late into the season,” he said. “If we had started stronger a lot earlier, we would have boosted our confidence, maybe had a better year, but there is no regrets I have this baseball season.”
Newcomer of the Year
Aiden Knies, Lyford
Knies was voted District 31-3A’s newcomer of the year, stepping up as a freshman to help the Bulldogs capture an undefeated district championship.
“All credit to the coaches, without them I would not be able to do any of this,” Knies said. “I would not have the baseball knowledge without them, so all credit to the coaches. My team also had my back. They picked me up when I was down at the beginning of the year and helped me get back on track.”
Knies learned from senior leaders Diego Guerra and Ryan Rivera, two outstanding players and leaders.
“Playing varsity was way different than the baseball I previously played,” Knies said. “Coming into high school, I had to change my mindset. It was different, it was a hard transition.”
Knies came into close for Lyford at times this season. He finished with 13 strikeouts and one save to clinch the District 31-3A championship. At the plate, Knies batted .489 with 27 hits and 15 RBIs.
“We are really excited to have Aiden the next three years,” Lyford coach Jose Rocha said. “He came on pretty strong as a freshman and could only go up from here.”
Coach of the Year
Ramiro Partida, San Benito
San Benito baseball finished the year with 19 wins, their best win total in school history. At the helm for the Greyhounds was Partida.
“I cannot do it without the team,” Partida said. “The team and my coaches that I have, it is a team effort. I could not be coach of the year without them. The kids that we had this year were special, and the coaches were special. You put that all together, and that is why we finished how we did.”
Partida said the team accomplished a lot of its goals this season: making the playoffs, having the most wins in school history and scoring five runs or more in every district win.
San Benito wanted to advance to the second round but was eliminated by Edinburg Vela.
“Still proud of these kids,” Partida said. “They made it fun for me, really enjoyed it this year. Sad to see my seniors leave, but I am excited for next year.”
