Rhetoric can only go so far. Sometimes plain old-fashioned statistics get the job done. Such is the case in baseball where stats like 714 (Babe Ruth's home run record), 2,632 (Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games played) and 56 (Joe DiMaggio's consecutive games with at least one hit) are not only numbers, but represent greatness and are etched into every baseball enthusiast's mind.

Read more: Undefeated Sharyland posts impressive stats

Despite falling in a heart breaker to McHi in the final game of the season, the softball squad of Sharyland is doing alright. Though the 4-3 loss hurt, the fact the team won the coin toss to determine who would receive the number one seed, had to feel good.

As such, Paul Cruz's squad is onto the post season after just squeaking in last year. Now, as the number one seed from District 30-5A, the Rattlers will face the Laredo United Longhorns. The two teams will meet tonight in a best-of-three series. The first game will be played in Laredo at the Student Athlete Complex, then followed by a game on Saturday at Sharyland. If the two teams split, the decisive third game will be played thirty minutes following game two.

There will only be one other local softball joining the Rattlers in the post season and that is the Mission Eagles. Iris Iglesias squad fought toe-to-toe with traditional powerhouse La Joya for the fourth and final spot. The two teams ended the season in a tie but the Eagles got the best of La Joya last Monday, winning 9-7. Mission will go on to play at Eagle Pass tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

In baseball, three teams are moving on, including Mission. Like their female counterparts, Rick Lozano's squad wrapped up the fourth seed as well. The Eagles face Donna tonight in their final district game before moving on to play the number one seed Eagle Pass Winn from District 29-5A.

Sharyland will cap off its magnificent season with a visit to McHi tonight where they are hoping to complete an undefeated district run. Regardless of the outcome tonight, Bart Bickerton's squad will likely face Laredo United. Though the fourth seed, the Longhorns only have one on the field loss and are only in the final spot due to seven forfeits as a result of playing an ineligible player.

La Joya will also made it to post season play from 30-5A. Ruben Farias' team finished in third for the second consecutive season. The Coyotes are likely to face Laredo Alexander and are hoping to have as successful of a post season run as they did last year when they moved onto the Regional Semifinals after a memorable win over Sharyland.

Veterans Memorial is in a good position in District 32-4A. Currently in the fourth spot, the Patriots hold a slight lead over Edcouch-Elsa. Those two teams square off tonight. A Patriot win solidifies the red, white and blue as the last and final spot for bi-district. A loss moves the two teams into a tie, forcing a tiebreaker to be played tomorrow. If the Patriots secure the final spot, they will face off against Calallen of District 29-4A.

What better team to beat than La Joya to clinch a share of the district title? For Sharyland it is sweet. After six years of straight district championships, the Coyotes have been dethroned and the hitters of Sharyland have risen in their place.

The Rattlers took down the Coyotes on Tuesday, 9-2, to complete a season sweep of their rivals. In fact, the win puts Paul Cruz's squad on a three-game win streak against the former district champs.

Read more: Sharyland clinches at least share of district title

These Rattlers are fast. Whether male, female, freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, doesn't matter. The boys and girls squads of Sharyland Track and Field proved to be tops in 30-5A when both teams took home the first place hardware at the District 30-5A meet this week at La Joya.

For the boys, the domination was due mostly to its runners. However, Roberto Salinas took home first in the discus throw (150-0), contributing to the team’s overall score of 210. The team’s outstanding overall score broke the district record of 189 set last year by the Rattlers.

Read more: Sharyland sweeps 30-5A, Palmview finishes strong

EDINBURG -- The Edinburg Roadrunners of the North American League announced today the hiring of Steve Maddock as their new manager for the upcoming 2011 season.

Maddock replaces former manager Vince Moore who had been a part of the organization since 2001.  He played with the Roadrunners from 2001-2004 and managed the Coyotes/Roadrunners from 2005-2010.

Read more: Roadrunners name Maddock new manager

Here is the top ten list:

Read more: Sharyland baseball team is now ranked #3 for 5A in the state by the Texas High School Coaches Association poll