Lobos, Coyotes and Diamondbacks advance![]()
The Big 7 Playoff field has dwindled. Only three teams remain to continue their championship hopes in the Area round of the UIL State Baseball Playoffs this weekend. The La Joya Palmview Lobos, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks, and the La Joya Coyotes will face their toughest tests of the season as they dream of Regional Quarterfinal berths. Here is a brief review of how Big 7 teams performed in the Bi-district round and who the remaining teams will face in round two.
*Note: Some Game 1 results were not available at the time of printing*
Area Round Participants:
La Joya Palmview Lobos:
Current Record: 27-3-1
Progress Times photo by Joe Vela.
The Palmview Lobos carried their regular-season success into the postseason, sweeping the Victoria West Warriors in the Bi-District round of the UIL State Playoffs. Herminio Gonzalez pitched a complete game shutout against the Warriors in Game 1, allowing the Lobos to escape with a 1-0 victory in extra-innings. In Game 2, Mateo Garcia took the mound and struck out nine batters while only allowing five hits. A walk-off, two-run Jorge Garza single in the bottom of the 7th inning pushed the Lobos past the Warriors and into the Area round, where they’ll face the McAllen Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs advanced to the Area round by defeating the Harlingen South Hawks in Game 3 of their best-of-three Bi-district round series. They’ll have their hands full against the Lobos, who have been one of Texas’ best 5A baseball teams all season. If the Lobos win their best-of-three series against the Bulldogs, they will advance to the Regional Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
Game one of this series was played last night at McAllen High. Game two will take place tonight in Palmview at 7:30 PM. The series will return to McAllen High School for Game 3 tomorrow at 1 PM, if necessary.
Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks:
Current Record: 25-5
The Pioneer Diamondbacks swept the Brownsville Lopez Lobos in their best-of-three Bi-District series last week by scores of 5-2 and 10-0 to advance to the Area round. All-district performer Andy Chapa and ace Ruben Lopez led the Diamondbacks to victory in Game 1. Senior superstar Rene Vela carried the load in Game 2 by striking out 10 batters in a complete game shutout and raking at the plate by going 3-4 with 3 RBI. Junior second baseman Diego Dominguez chipped in by going 2-2 with 4 runs scored and 4 stolen bases.
The Diamondbacks will continue their postseason journey tonight in Robstown against the Victoria East Titans. The game will start at 6 PM. The Diamondbacks and Titans will face off in Alice, Texas, for games two and three, if necessary. If the Diamondbacks win this series, they will advance to the Regional Quarterfinals for the first time since they advanced to the Regional finals in 2021.
La Joya Coyotes
Current Record: 19-12-1
The La Joya Coyotes are the hottest baseball team in the Big 7. They have won five games in a row, including their two-game Bi-District sweep of the San Benito Greyhounds last week. In those five wins, the Coyotes have outscored their opponents 45-7. This postseason, Coyotes starters Hunter Morales and Santiago Tijerina have pitched 14 scoreless innings while striking out 21 total batters. Clutch, timely hitting from seniors Lucas Zambrano and Homer Munoz gave the Coyotes the run insurance needed to escape with wins by scores of 3-1 and 3-0.
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
“What I’m most proud of us is not just the wins, but the unwavering dedication and teamwork that brought us together. We’re proud of the resilience we showed in the face of challenges and the growth we achieved as individuals and as a team.” Coyotes’ head Coach Mario Flores Jr. said.
The Coyotes will face the San Antonio Brennan Bears in the Area round. They played game oneof this best-of-three series last night in Rio Grande City. They will face each other in game two tonight at San Antonio Northside Complex. Game three will occur tomorrow at Veterans Baseball Park in Laredo, Texas, if necessary.
Bi-District Finalists
Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots
Final Record: 18-10-2 
After compiling their best back-to-back regular season win total since 2017, the Veterans Memorial Patriots lost to the Victoria East Titans in the first round of the UIL State Baseball Playoffs. The Bi-District playoff loss marks the second consecutive year a non-valley team has swept the Patriots out of the playoffs. While the Patriots recover from the loss, aiming to reclaim past glory, there is no reason to expect they won’t. They will return 18 players next season, including team leaders Jahziel Trevino, Jeremiah Vela, Chris Ramos, Ryan Guerra, and Gabriel Cantu. The losses of graduating seniors Robert Ramos and Oziel Sepulveda will affect the Patriots’ infield and start pitching, but the Patriots are loaded with capable replacements.
The Patriots season may not have ended like Blue Nation hoped, but the future is bright. The Patriots will be one of 5A baseball’s favorites next year if they can build on their past two years’ success.
Mission Eagles
Final Record: 11-19
Despite a valiant effort, the Weslaco Panthers eliminated the Mission Eagles from the 2024 UIL State Baseball Playoffs in a two-game series sweep. The Eagles, led by Andrew Garza and Jeremy Aleman, nearly beat the Panthers in Game 1 before falling in a close 3-2 battle. The Panthers won game two going away and advanced to the Area round.
The Eagles’ consecutive playoff appearances mark the best two-year stretch they have experienced in a decade. Their effort and resilience were a testament to their bond and the pride they carried for their school and city.