SintonFan_inAustin
05-18-2007, 12:24 PM
Cats hope heart can overcome tradition
By DAVE FAVILA
May 18, 2007 - 12:40AM
Lynn Hermosa / Valley Morning Star Rio Hondo starting pitcher Rollie Garza delivers against La Feria last month. Garza and the rest of the Bobcats take on Sinton this weekend in a best-of-three regional quarterfinal playoff series in Kingsville. KINGSVILLE — The Rio Hondo Bobcats have no illusions about their situation.
They are fully aware of the position they’re in going into their regional quarterfinal playoff series against Sinton, which begins today at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 is set for 3 p.m. Saturday with Game 3, if necessary, following 30 minutes after Game 2.
The Pirates (23-5) are ranked No. 6 in the state and have a long-standing baseball tradition, to say the least.
Since 1975, the Pirates have been to the state tournament six times (1975, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2002) and won the title three times, including back-to-back wins in 1988 and 1989.
Their most recent state title came in 2002 when they beat Forney 5-0 thanks, in part, to then-junior ace Adrian Alaniz, who is now a star pitcher at the University of Texas.
To make matters worse, this year’s squad has some stars of its own, including Adrian’s younger brother, Andres, who’s hitting .429.
But being the underdog is something the Bobcats (16-11) are used to. In fact, it’s something they sort of embrace.
“As underdogs there’s no pressure on us,” said head coach Steve Marroquin. “All we have to do is play our game and there’s no telling what can happen. This is baseball, after all.”
The Cats played the underdog roll to perfection last week in their area-round series against Cuero.
The Cats lost the opening game of the best-of-three series last Friday only to come back the next day and win two in a row and earn them their first-ever playoff series victory in school history.
“The win went a long way in boosting our confidence level,” said Marroquin. “It also meant a lot to the entire school and community.”
Marroquin declined to name his rotation for this weekend’s series, but junior ace Rollie Garza (7-1) will probably start Game 1 today. Garza has been solid all season and was instrumental in helping the Cats to their first District 32-3A title since 2001.
Sophomore Rolando Sauceda (5-1) will more than likely start Game 2 and junior Joshua Cordero (3-5) should be the Game 3 starter.
“We’re just so excited to be in this situation. Underdog role or not, we’re going to give it our all. We’re not just showing up with the hopes of keeping things close. We are going to try to see this opportunity all the way through,” said Marroquin.
By DAVE FAVILA
May 18, 2007 - 12:40AM
Lynn Hermosa / Valley Morning Star Rio Hondo starting pitcher Rollie Garza delivers against La Feria last month. Garza and the rest of the Bobcats take on Sinton this weekend in a best-of-three regional quarterfinal playoff series in Kingsville. KINGSVILLE — The Rio Hondo Bobcats have no illusions about their situation.
They are fully aware of the position they’re in going into their regional quarterfinal playoff series against Sinton, which begins today at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 is set for 3 p.m. Saturday with Game 3, if necessary, following 30 minutes after Game 2.
The Pirates (23-5) are ranked No. 6 in the state and have a long-standing baseball tradition, to say the least.
Since 1975, the Pirates have been to the state tournament six times (1975, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2002) and won the title three times, including back-to-back wins in 1988 and 1989.
Their most recent state title came in 2002 when they beat Forney 5-0 thanks, in part, to then-junior ace Adrian Alaniz, who is now a star pitcher at the University of Texas.
To make matters worse, this year’s squad has some stars of its own, including Adrian’s younger brother, Andres, who’s hitting .429.
But being the underdog is something the Bobcats (16-11) are used to. In fact, it’s something they sort of embrace.
“As underdogs there’s no pressure on us,” said head coach Steve Marroquin. “All we have to do is play our game and there’s no telling what can happen. This is baseball, after all.”
The Cats played the underdog roll to perfection last week in their area-round series against Cuero.
The Cats lost the opening game of the best-of-three series last Friday only to come back the next day and win two in a row and earn them their first-ever playoff series victory in school history.
“The win went a long way in boosting our confidence level,” said Marroquin. “It also meant a lot to the entire school and community.”
Marroquin declined to name his rotation for this weekend’s series, but junior ace Rollie Garza (7-1) will probably start Game 1 today. Garza has been solid all season and was instrumental in helping the Cats to their first District 32-3A title since 2001.
Sophomore Rolando Sauceda (5-1) will more than likely start Game 2 and junior Joshua Cordero (3-5) should be the Game 3 starter.
“We’re just so excited to be in this situation. Underdog role or not, we’re going to give it our all. We’re not just showing up with the hopes of keeping things close. We are going to try to see this opportunity all the way through,” said Marroquin.