2009 Baseball Preview

MISSION - For some teams, being ranked the preseason No. 1 might be seen as a curse.

Some teams with the potential to win a state title might be overwhelmed by the pressure of living up to such high expectations.

But for the Sharyland Rattlers baseball team, being touted as one of the state's best does not add undue pressure. Instead it adds motivation to succeed.

"Going to state is something we talk about every day in practice," said Sharyland head coach Bart Bickerton. "We have felt like we had the team to go the distance the last two years."

The Rattlers open the Valley baseball season, which begins Monday, as Valley Freedom Newspapers' preseason No. 1 thanks to a bevy of experienced returning starters.

Three of the Rattlers' seven returning starters have already signed letters of intent to play college ball.

Pitcher/shortstop Angel Ibanez signed with UTPA, second baseman Adam Peña is headed to San Jacinto Junior College, and Tucker Oakley, who missed all of last season with an injury, is going to Weatherford JC.

But as solid as the Rattlers look, they are in a district where the competition will challenge them every step of the way.

League foes McAllen High and La Joya are in the preseason top five. McHi sits at No. 2, while the Coyotes, who are the two-time District 30-5A defending champs, are ranked No. 4.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us if we want to keep our league title," said Coyotes head coach Reuben Farias. "We have a good nucleus of players coming back with great leadership qualities. With God's blessing and favor, we should have a great and prosperous year."

Wedged between McHi and La Joya at No. 3 is Brownsville Lopez, which is going for a fifth straight district title dating back to 2005 when the Lobos were in Class 4A.

The Lobos continue to bring back a seemingly endless supply of talent that keeps the machine running year after year.

"They just always seem to have those special athletes that can step up and play," said opposing league coach Eddie Serna of Weslaco.

Rounding out the top five is Edinburg North out of District 31-5A.

The Cougars are in search for their first-ever district title this season. And with 14 returning seniors, they have the potential to get the job done.

"Our kids understand that as a senior ballclub, they can't hide and sneak up on anyone," said Coogs head coach Nick Cantu Jr. "But just because we are starting the season ranked high does not mean anything.

"We have to go out there and prove that we deserve the attention. Like the old saying goes, ‘it's not how you start but how you finish that counts.'"

The Cougars are joined in the top 10 by fellow 31-5A foe PSJA High, which is ranked No. 7.

Sitting at No. 6 is Brownsville Porter, which should give Lopez all it can handle in District 32-5A.

Rounding out the top 10 is La Feria at No. 8, Roma at No. 9 and Hidalgo at No. 10.

The Lions finished in third place last year behind Hidalgo and district champ Rio Hondo. But with a benchload of returning starters, the

Lions are ready to become the District 32-3A kings.

As for Roma, the Glads have an excellent shot at dethroning Mission High as the District 32-4A champs.

Finally, the Pirates should challenge La Feria for District 32-3A supremacy this season.

VFN Top 10
1. Sharyland
2. McAllen High
3. Brownsville Lopez
4. La Joya
5. Edinburg North
6. Brownsville Porter
7. PSJA High
8. La Feria
9. Roma
10. Hidalgo

Dave Favila covers baseball for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at davidf@valleystar.com