RGV Roundup: Scorpions load up on Valley baseball talent

The Rio Grande Valley is well-represented when it comes to collegiate baseball at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. Sixteen local players are listed on the roster for the Scorpions.

Eight alone hail from the city of Brownsville, including Lopez’s Juan Munoz (soph., 5-9, C) and Luis Munoz (redshirt-fresh., 5-8); Porter’s Dennis Ortiz (soph., 6-0, RHP), Julian Moya (sr., 5-10, RHP), Gus Henggeler (soph., 5-6, C) and Adrian Moya (redshirt-fresh., 5-7); Rivera’s Adam Vera (soph., 5-10, RHP) and Hanna’s Gilbert Hinojosa (redshirt-fresh., 5-5). Also playing for UTB/TSC from the Valley this season are Harlingen South’s Danny Gidora (jr., 6-3, RHP), Peter Maldonado (soph., 5-7, RF) and J.J. Perez (redshirt-fresh., 5-10); Harlingen High’s Keith Hernandez (fresh., 6-0, RHP), Port Isabel’s Martin Cantu Jr. (jr, 5-10, 3B) and Julian Martinez (redshirt-fresh., 5-11); Mercedes’ John Bustamante (fresh., 5-10, P/Util) and Los Fresnos’ Gilberto Puente (jr., 5-9, C).

Following a four-game series sweep of the University of Houston-Victoria Saturday and Sunday, UTB/TSC is 5-3 on the season. it will again face the Jaguars (1-10) in another pair of doubleheaders this Saturday and Sunday in Victoria. Diego Garcia of Weslaco High (jr., 5-7, 160, INF) is the only Valleyite listed on the roster for UH-Victoria.

Prior to last week’s blitz of local signings for the University of Texas-San Antonio’s inaugural football campaign in 2010, it’s interesting to note that just two other Valley athletes currently occupy any of the Roadrunners’ rosters. Both, in fact, are on the baseball team. They are brothers Cody Graham (sr., 6-0, 165, P), who was previously at McMurry University, and Justin Graham (fresh., 5-11, 180, P). Both played for Harlingen High.

Dylan de Leon of Weslaco High, a freshman infielder, is the lone Valleyite listed on McMurry’s roster. McMurry dropped its 2010 season-opener to West Texas A&M, 7-4, at home Sunday. McMurry will be back in action on Friday and Saturday when they play host to New Mexico Highlands and the University of the Southwest.

TENNIS

McAllen High’s Stefan Hernandez (redshirt freshman) and Mission High’s Ramon Lopez (redshirt freshman.) will both be competing for Lindenwood University’s men’s team when the Lions open spring play on March 6 at home against the University of Dubuque. The Lions went 3-0 through their 2009 winter slate.

ROWING

Four Valleyites will be among the University of Texas women’s novice squad when the Longhorns commence spring competition this Saturday during the “Fighting Nutria” on Lady Bird Lake in Austin. The Valley’s quartet consists of Harlingen South’s Dolma Diaz (fresh., 5-6, starboard), Brownsville Porter’s Samantha Ramos (soph., 5-4, Starboard), and St. Joseph’s Erin Gamez (jr., 5-3, Coxswain) and Michelle Solitaire (jr., 5-8, Port).

The Longhorns’ rowing team completed its fall schedule in early November.

Michael A. Pullen is a former sportswriter in the Rio Grande Valley. His column runs every Tuesday. College news can be reported to him via e-mail at rgvroundup@yahoo.com.