The 2019 baseball season was a notable one for East Valley teams.
District 32-6A champion Rivera, runner-up Harlingen High and third-place Los Fresnos were well-represented on their 2019 all-district list, as were 32-5A champion Brownsville Veterans Memorial and third-place Brownsville Lopez, as voted on by the coaches in each district.
In 32-6A, Falcons sophomore pitcher/outfielder Victor Loa was named the district’s most valuable player. Loa was the catalyst of Los Fresnos’ run to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs, tossing a no-hitter against Weslaco High in the bi-district round and six shutout innings against Laredo United in the area round.
He recorded a 0.31 ERA and went 4-2 on the mound, striking out 91 batters in district play. At the plate, Loa posted a .333 batting average, a .490 on-base percentage and a .548 slugging percentage. He also chipped in 13 hits, nine runs scored and 11 RBIs.
Loa edged University of Texas Rio Grande Valley commit Daniel Dial and Our Lady of the Lake commit John Ortega for the all-district honor. Brownsville Rivera skipper Travis Parker was named coach of the year, guiding the Raiders to a 22-10 overall record, an 11-4 record in 32-6A play and a district title. Junior second baseman Omar Rodriguez was voted offensive player of the year, and senior shortstop Michael Gomez was named defensive player of the year for Rivera.
Dial, a senior from San Benito, was tabbed pitcher of the year. Harlingen High freshman shortstop Thomas Lyssy and Los Fresnos sophomore center fielder Germain Castillo shared the newcomer of the year award.
DISTRICT 32-5A
Brownsville Veterans senior shortstop Christian Holloway earned District 32-5A MVP honors by unanimous decision. Holloway posted a .489 batting average, .538 on-base percentage, a .700 slugging percentage and a 1.238 OPS. He also drove in 22 runs and hit two home runs.
Chargers pitcher Justin Anaya was named defensive player of the year.
Lopez shortstop Jesus De Leon was voted offensive player of the year, and Ivan Banuelos earned the DH of the year award for the Lobos. Pace’s John Moody was tabbed newcomer of the year, and pitcher of the year honors went to Porter’s Cesar Lartigue.
DISTRICT 32-4A
Raymondville’s Darren Ramirez highlighted the District 32-4A superlative list, earning the utility player of the year award. Sophomore Derrick Ramirez represented the Bobcats and joined Port Isabel first baseman Daniel Martinez on the all-district first team.
Rio Hondo had several players named to the all-district first team, including senior pitchers Daniel Garza, shortstop Cross Gonzalez, third baseman Joey Ortega and outfielder Josiah Ortega.
DISTRICT 32-3A
The District 32-3A champion Lyford Bulldogs were heavily featured on this year’s 32-3A superlative and all-district rosters, including first-year coach Kevin Ledesma earning coach of the year honors.
Junior Abel Gonzalez took home the MVP award, and sophomore Matthew Sanchez was tabbed co-offensive MVP with Edinburg IDEA Quest senior Ethan Villalobos. Villalobos also shared defensive MVP honors with Lyford senior Alfonso Garcia.
Freshman Bulldogs player Diego Guerra was voted co-newcomer of the year with senior Bobby Valdez of Edinburg IDEA Quest.
The all-District 32-3A pitching staff included Lyford freshman Ryan Rivera and Santa Rosa junior Ryan Garza. Junior catcher Adam Cavazos, senior first baseman Chris Rojas, junior shortstop Michael Bermea and junior outfielder JJ Mendoza made the all-district first team for the Warriors.
Sharing the hot corner spot on the all-district list were Santa Rosa junior third baseman Marc Espinoza and Lyford sophomore Tristen Garcia. Lyford senior second baseman Ramsey Reyna and sophomore outfielder Cayleb Klostermann rounded out the all-district selections for the Bulldogs.
