Valley baseball standouts earn all-state honors

STAFF REPORT

A handful of Rio Grande Valley high school baseball standouts earned statewide recognition as the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association released its all-state teams for the 2022 season Friday, honoring the top players in Texas from Classes 1A-6A.

Three RGV programs — Sharyland Pioneer, McAllen Rowe and La Joya High — also finished the year ranked among Texas High School Baseball’s final top 25 poll.

Sharyland Pioneer (33-10) finished ranked No. 5 in Class 5A after advancing to the regional final. The Diamondbacks lost to eventual state champion Georgetown in Round 5. McAllen Rowe (26-9) ended tied for No. 25 in Class 5A after advancing three rounds deep in the playoffs. La Joya High (20-13) was the lone RGV team to make the Class 6A rankings at No. 20. The Coyotes reached the regional semifinal round of the postseason before falling against Lake Travis.

CLASS 6A ALL-STATE

Second Team – Josh Muñoz, shortstop, Los Fresnos; Stone Gomez, outfield, Weslaco High.

Third Team – Christopher Casares, shortstop, Weslaco High.

CLASS 5A ALL-STATE

First Team – Oscar Serna, third base, Sharyland Pioneer.

Second Team – Gael Gonzales, third base, La Joya Palmview; Marlon Rodriguez, third base, Brownsville Veterans.

Third Team – Carlos Garcia, pitcher, Sharyland High; David Benitez, catcher, Sharyland Pioneer; Diego Zuniga, catcher, Sharyland High.

CLASS 4A ALL-STATE

Elite Team – Jayson Cantu, Raymondville.