Coyotes ready to extend playoff run![]()
After last weekend’s hectic Area round, The La Joya Coyotes are the last Big 7 baseball team remaining in the UIL State Baseball Playoffs. Yet, before the season, no one imagined the Coyotes would make it this far. But don’t call the Coyotes Cinderella. The swelling pervasiveness of offseason doubt and disbelief that clouded the team doesn’t make their story improbable or lucky. If you listen to the Coyotes tell it, they’re supposed to be here. Instead, think of the 2024 La Joya Coyotes as defiant, a team stubbornly committed to dispelling and destroying every false prediction and uninformed opinion attached to them. Now imagine the Regional Quarterfinal as the latest stop in their warpath.
Here is a preview of The La Joya Coyotes Regional Quarterfinal Matchup, along with a brief update on how Big 7 Baseball teams fared in the Area round:
*Note: Game 1 results of the La Joya and Weslaco best-of-three Regional Quarterfinal series which was played last night were not available at the time of printing.*
La Joya Coyotes:
Current Record: 21-13-1
La Joya starting pitcher Hunter Morales delivers a pitch against a San Benito batter during Game 1 of the Coyotes’ Bi-district round win over the Greyhounds last week. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
The La Joya Coyotes started their Area round series on the ropes. They found themselves on the brink of elimination after losing Game 1 to the San Antonio Brennan Bears by a score of 2-0.
“Everyone doubted us after that first loss. But we came through as a family, and together we came out victorious,” star shortstop Lucas Zambrano said when asked to reflect on the Coyotes come-from-behind series win.
In game 2, Coyotes starter Santiago Tijerina shutdown the Bears lineup by pitching seven scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts on the way to a 3-0 win. Clutch, timely hitting from Alfonso Balboa, Roel Garcia, and Zambrano provided the run insurance needed to force Game 3.
“Our approach was to be patient, make the pitcher work, and try to win every inning, Garcia said when asked about his batting approach after the Coyotes Game 1 loss.
In Game 3, the Coyotes exploded for 13 hits and 15 total runs. Garcia led the way once again, finishing the game 3-3 with 2 RBI. A dual effort on the mound from Nick Balderas and Edwin Zuniga sealed the Coyotes win by a final score of 15-5.
Now, the Coyotes enter the Regional Quarterfinals for the third time in four years against a familiar 6A foe: the Weslaco Panthers. Like the Coyotes, the Panthers needed three games to dispatch their Area round opponent, the Eagle Pass Eagles. But the connection doesn’t end there. The Coyotes swept the Panthers out of the Playoffs in 2022 on their way to the Regional Semifinals. And earlier this year, the Coyotes defeated the Panthers in a close 5-4 brawl.
The Coyotes knew this round would be challenging, but now the stakes are higher. And an all-Valley matchup for a chance at the Regional Semifinals is all they could ask for. The Coyotes relish the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong, as they’ve done all season.
La Joya Coyotes’ Homer Muñoz works behind the plate during last Tuesday’s game against PSJA-ECHS Bears. Progress Times photo by Joe Vela.
“Everyone doubted us this year, but we proved them wrong and showed them what we’re made of,” Coyotes ace Hunter Morales said when asked to reflect on his team’s success.
In order to come out victorious against the Panthers, the Coyotes must take advantage of Tijerina’s and Morales’ starts by providing insurance runs like they’ve done the latter part of the year. If their pitching is off, the Coyotes must capitalize at the plate to advance runners and score. It may be easier said than done, but there isn’t a team better equipped to handle the rigors of postseason ball.
“Weslaco has always been good. They have a good program over there. I know they’re well coached and it’s gonna take what we’ve been doing. Situational hitting, capitalizing on their mistakes, and our pitching has to be on point. This year’s team is special. We’ve been to the third round three times in four years. Some of them started that journey. And now, to see them as seniors? That’s something special,” head coach Mario Flores Jr. said when asked about his keys to victory and the progression of Coyote baseball.
The Coyotes will host the Panthers in Game 2 at La Joya High School tonight at 7:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will occur tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in Weslaco.
Area Finalists
La Joya Palmview Lobos
Final Record: 29-5-1
Palmview Lobos’ Mateo Garcia catches a throw from first base for the out during last Thursday’s Game 1 against McAllen H.S. Bulldogs. Progress Times Photo by Joe Vela.
The La Joya Palmview Lobos’ magnificent 23-24 baseball season ended at McAllen High school after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the McAllen Bulldogs in Game 3 of their best-of three Area round series.
Despite a dynamic performance from sophomore Joseph Martinez, the Lobos lost on a line drive walk-off to left field in the bottom of the 7th inning. Martinez, who pitched six scoreless innings with five strikeouts, scored the Lobos’ only run of the game on an electrifying inside-the-park home run in the top of the third inning.
The Lobos finished this year with a 28-5-1 record, a Bi-District championship, and a school record third consecutive District championship. The Lobos will return 11 lettermen next season as they campaign for their fourth consecutive district championship and Coach Manuel “Ricky” Garcia’s 300th career win. Although the Lobos could not replicate last season’s success, the consensus amongst valley baseball fans and coaches is that the Lobos are here to stay.
“It’s become an established program. I am proud of that. I’m proud of these kids. We’ve taught them how to believe in themselves, trust in themselves, and have faith in themselves and to always fight back.” Garcia said when reflecting on the Lobos 23-24 season.
Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks
Final Record: 26-7
Pioneer Diamondbacks’ Vale Cortez rounds third base during the second inning of the Diamondbacks’ 14-4 win over PSJA Memorial Tuesday night. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra
Despite rallying in Game 2 of their best-of-three Area round series, the Victoria East Titans eliminated the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks by defeating them by a final score of 8-2 in Game 3, which was the second game of their Saturday doubleheader.
The Diamondbacks stormed through the regular season and dominated district opponents on their way to securing their first district championship in school history. They touted wins over top-ranked teams like Smithson Valley and steamrolled the second half of their schedule by winning 15 of their final 17 regular season games.
All-district performers like shortstop Andy Chapa, do-it-all third-baseman Rene Vela, and slugger David Cavazos collectively established the Diamondbacks as one of Texas’s best baseball teams.
The Diamondbacks ended their 23-24 season as 31-5A District champions, Bi-District champions, and Area finalists.