Farias keeping his Coyotes on task

LA JOYA -Reuben Farias speaks to the media only when necessary.

The Coyotes baseball coach understands dealing with reporters is a part of his job, but he will rarely pick up the newspaper or watch television to see what is said about his team.

Part of it is that he is a humble man, but most of it is that he wants to serve as an example to his players. He said it is easy for the young minds he coaches to believe their own hype or become discouraged when overly engaged in the media.

"Really, I don't like giving interviews," Farias said. "I tell the team not to worry about where they are ranked. I tell them once the season is over, then see where they are ranked and how well they did. That is not important right now."

What is important to Farias and the Coyotes (24-3) is their best-of-three area round playoff series against PSJA High slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at La Joya.

Most would agree the Coyotes are the favorites against the upstart Bears, and that is exactly what Farias doesn't want his team to believe.

"When you are ranked No. 1 or the top team in your district, teams come ready to play you," Farias said. "When we played Donna in the second round (of district), they hadn't won a game in district.

"They played a great game, flawless baseball. They gave us a good game."

La Joya won that game 4-2. Farias admits his team has played its fair share of close games against lesser opponents. For the most part, the Coyotes are not the type of team to blow opponents out.

"Sometimes we play at the level of our opponent," Coyotes pitcher Miguel Peña said. "When we have a good opponent, then we play at a higher level."

Peña, a junior, has been a force at the plate and on the mound. He is batting .346 with a team high 22 RBIs, and the lefty also is 7-2 on the mound with a 1.75 ERA, 82 strikeouts and four saves.

Peña has had plenty of help from a core group of seniors that includes Adrian Peña (.400 batting average), Robert Mariscal (.351 BA, 20 RBIs) and Javier Ramirez (.275 BA).

"We are as united as ever," Mariscal said. "We have been playing together since we were small. We have all been on the same little league team. This team wasn't just made. We have been together since we were small, and we are finally putting it together."

La Joya put together an impressive season, winning a fourth district title since Farias took over the program in 2002. The 2002 team went to the regional semis, and the Coyotes are confident they can match that feat and perhaps advance deeper in the postseason.
"This is a good team," Mariscal said. "We are confident, but we will go as far as God wants to takes us."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.