MISSION — Rio Grande Valley high school baseball will be represented in the regional final round of the UIL state playoffs for the third year in a row when Sharyland Pioneer takes the field against Georgetown in Game 1 of their best-of-three series at 7 tonight at Jourdanton High School in Jourdanton.
The Diamondbacks own two of those Elite 8 appearances, Sharyland High made it to Round 5 in 2019, and Los Fresnos qualified for the regional final a year ago. It’s a trend Pioneer is proud of: being part of a group of Valley baseball players that continues to raise the bar during the postseason.
“It’s unbelievable. I take a lot of pride in it because down here in the 956, we got a lot of talent,” senior shortstop and UTRGV signee Juan Rivera said. “Over the years, Valley baseball has been overlooked, but now it’s starting to take a big step against all competition. I’m grateful that we’re putting the Valley on the map and we’re just going to keep trying to represent.”
The Diamondbacks (32-8) and Georgetown Eagles (31-7) square off in the Region IV-5A final for a spot in the Class 5A state semifinals, also known as the Final Four. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is slated for 7 p.m. Friday. Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. All games will be played at Jourdanton High School.
It’s a familiar matchup for the No. 6-ranked Diamondbacks and No. 2-ranked Eagles, according to the latest Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association top 10 poll. Pioneer faced Georgetown during its 2019 trip to the state semifinals, falling 8-2. Georgetown went on to drop the state championship game against Colleyville Heritage 14-2.
Sharyland Pioneer interim head coach Shawn Moes, who was an assistant on the 2019 Pioneer team that faced Georgetown, said the key to the series is simple.
“Whoever makes the fewest mistakes,” Moes said. “We know Georgetown is a great team, it’s a great program and has been for years. They have great team speed. 2019, that may have been one of the fastest teams I’ve seen from top to bottom; I’m sure that hasn’t changed. They’re going to do the little things right, and the team that makes the fewest mistakes will come out with a victory.”
The Diamondbacks earned their way to the regional final round by sweeping Brownsville Porter in bi-district action. Pioneer then won three straight playoff series in decisive Game 3s against Corpus Christi Moody (Game 3, 10-4), Corpus Christi Veterans (Game 3, 6-3) and Buda Johnson (Game 3, 5-4), setting up the fifth-round rematch.
“It’s a grind. You have to do all the little things right to get here, and that’s what we’ve been doing as a team,” senior third baseman and UTRGV signee Oscar Serna said. “We’re just hoping to go out there, do everything right and come out successful this time.”
Meanwhile, Georgetown’s road to the Elite Eight includes playoff series wins over San Antonio Alamo Heights, Floresville, New Braunfels Canyon and Corpus Christi Ray in Round 4.
The Eagles have Division I commits to Baylor, Houston and Temple, but Pioneer has proven through its postseason runs that it won’t back down from a challenge.
“I know our team doesn’t give up. We get punched in the mouth and we’re coming back,” senior center fielder Joshua Benitez said.
Joshua Benitez and his younger brother, catcher David Benitez, form a dynamic duo defensively for the Diamondbacks behind the plate and in the middle of the outfield.
“We ain’t laying down. The energy has to be up every inning, every pitch,” Joshua Benitez said.
Pioneer’s 12 seniors who graduated last Sunday hope to keep their final season and playoff run alive. They’re chasing one more Monday of practice while punching the program’s second trip to the state tournament in four years. All that stands in the way is three Elite Eight games against Georgetown.
“We’ve been working our butts off day in and day out in practice,” senior Abel Anzaldua said. “We just have to pick each other up, don’t let our heads hang, strategize and play the best ball we can because I know we can beat these guys,” he said.
