ALL GROWN UP

RIO HONDO - Every beginning always has an end.
For the 2008 Rio Hondo baseball team, the beginning was in 2006.
As for the end... Well, that has yet to be determined since the Bobcats' season is currently ongoing.
The Cats (18-8) take on Gonzales (15-11) in Game 1 of their Class 3A area-round playoff series tonight in Odem with action continuing on Saturday evening.
But in more ways than one, when the curtain is finally drawn on the 2008 Bobcats season - whenever that is - it will mark the end of an era.
To fully understand where this story might end, one has to go back to the beginning.
Back in 2006, a talented core of up-and-coming sophomores hit the Valley baseball scene ready to take on all comers.
There was Randy Castaneda, Rollie Garza, Joshua Cordero, Shane Eizember, J.D. Martinez, Joseph Vela, Javier Adames and Orly Flores.
While this core of sophomores essentially first came together in 2005 as freshmen, that season was a forgettable one.
That year the team went 6-14 and finished tied for the next to last spot in the league.
But in 2006, in stepped Steve Marroquin and under his guidance the Bobcats not only turned things around, they turned some heads.
First, they doubled their win total and finished the season at 13-15. And, more importantly, they made the playoffs for the first time in several years.
And while their postseason journey ended in the first round to Zapata, there was hope in the air.
As expected, 2007 turned out to be an even better year for the Boys in Black.
As a mostly junior-laded club, the Bobcats clinched the District 32-3A title and advanced to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
So it came as no surprise to anyone when this year's team wound up winning Rio Hondo its second straight district crown and are now primed for another postseason run.
This time, however, they want the journey to continue even further than last year.
"Obviously, we realize that when this season comes to an end, it's the end of the line," said outfielder Shane Eizember, who is hitting .393 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.
"In the past we could always look forward to next season, but this time there is no next season. We have to make this run count," Eizember added.
And while Gonzales is the Bobcats' first obstacle, it's hard to overlook the fact that waiting in the wings could be Sinton, the team that ended things for the 'Cats last season. Sinton takes on Zapata this weekend in its area-round series.
"We know that we could face them again, but first we have to get past Gonzales and that's what we're focused on right now," said pitcher Joshua Cordero (5-2, 54 Ks, 14 walks in 48 innings). "We have to take it one game at a time."
Still, the Bobcats know they are walking a fine line between success and failure. They know a lot is expected of them now that most of them are seniors.
"But I think that sort of added pressure makes us more focused and ready to play," said pitcher/utility player Rollie Garza (6-2). "We can't make excuses anymore. We don't have that old ‘wait ‘till next year' excuse to fall back on because this is it for most of us."
This season will also be the swan song for Marroquin, who accepted a job with PSJA Memorial shortly after the baseball season began.
"This season was definitely bittersweet for me," Marroquin said. "I'll really miss Rio Hondo. This place was great and I have a lot of respect for everyone in this community.
"Still, I'm proud that I was able to help build a pretty solid foundation that future teams can build on. This may be the end of one era, but it's not the end of this school's program."
Indeed.
Junior ace Rolando Sauceda (6-1), who has 50 strikeouts on the season with just eight walks in 47½ innings of work, is one of several talented athletes expected to return next season.
As a freshman in 2006, Sauceda went 5-4 and has grown stronger as a player each year. In addition to solid pitching, Sauceda is equally handy at the plate. This season he's hitting .516 with three home runs and leads the team with 20 RBIs.
"We should remain a pretty solid bunch next year and for years to come," he said. "It will be sort of hard to adjust to a new coach, but we'll be OK."
Maybe the end isn't as near for the Bobcats after all.