Big 7 Baseball: District 31-6A Mid-Season Review
Coyotes and Eagles eager for playoffs
There’s no room for error when you play baseball in the state’s largest classification. The lone Big 7 teams competing in District 31-6A this year are the La Joya Coyotes and Mission Eagles, two teams hoping to break through the tortuous district. The Coyotes are not only seeking their third district championship in four years, but they’re also eager for another late-round playoff berth. The Eagles, constant underdogs, are steadily improving and threatening the district’s usual power brokers.
Here’s a short mid-season review of how both teams are doing ahead of district play next week:
La Joya Coyotes
Head Coach: Mario Flores Jr.
Assistants: Anthony Luna, Wally Barrera, Orlando Zuniga, Eric Longoria
2023 record and result: 9-1(19-15);
31-6A Co-District Champions, Bi-District Finalists
Current record: 8-10-1
Notable Players: Lucas Zambrano IF, Homero Munoz C, Santiago TijerinaP/OF, Nicholas Balderas P, Hunter Morales P
Since taking over the La Joya High School baseball program eight years ago, Mario Flores Jr. has led the Coyotes to over 100 wins and two district championships. His teams have made winning a habit by playing with immense pride for their community and school. The results have been tremendous. The Coyotes even made it to the Regional Semifinals as a three seed in 2022, one year removed from finishing 16-0 in district play and making the Regional Quarterfinals.
La Joya Coyotes’ Hunter Morales’ windup during the matchup against the Palmview Lobos. Progress Times photo by Joe Vela.
“We have a lot of pride for the C that’s on our chest, and we represent it well,” starting shortstop Lucas Zambrano said.
Last year, the Coyotes split the 31-6A championship with the PSJA Bears, a traditional Valley baseball power. Their 9-1 district record was good enough to secure the district’s #1 seed before they were swept in the first round by the Brownsville Rivera Red Raiders.
This year, the Coyotes are led by a solid returning group of upperclassmen set on repeating and eclipsing last year’s accomplishments. Alfonso Martinez, Ivan Marron, and All-District performer Zambrano spearhead an uncompromising Coyote defense and complement a stingy pitching rotation.
La Joya Coyotes’ Homer Muñoz (c) and Hunter Morales’ (p) meeting at the mound during the matchup against the Palmview Lobos. Progress Times photo by Joe Vela.
Hunter Morales, Santiago Tijerina, and Nicholas Balderas sustained the Coyotes through district play in 2023 and have steadied the ship this year.
“We have a lot of returners, guys with experience. We’re starting off slow, but our strongest part right now is our pitching. Our pitching has kept us in games, and well, we just gotta help out our pitchers,” Flores said.
The Coyotes have challenged themselves this pre-season against tough teams like Sharyland Pioneer, McAllen Nikki Rowe, Mission Veterans Memorial, and crosstown rival La Joya Palmview. The outcomes in many of those games could have been better, but the Coyotes coaching staff and players are confident that more consistency and victories will come as the team continues to gel and builds on their solidly established chemistry. All district sluggers like Issac Sayavedra and Homero Munoz are focused on ensuring that happens.
“This year, we decided all summer… we decided to bond together and work as a team, and we got to know each other. I think that’s what will take us far through district and into playoffs,” Munoz said.
The Coyotes are currently 2-1 in their last three games, with one final preseason game against the San Benito Greyhounds tonight at La Joya High School. They will travel to Edinburg North next Tuesday to face the Cougars in their first district game of the year.
Mission Eagles
Head Coach: Leo Salinas Jr.
Assistants: Mercy Salinas, JD Cavazos, Andy Ramirez, Elijio Leano
2023 record and result: 3-7 (10-18-3)
Current record: 7-7
Notable Players: Andrew Garza IF/P, Ivan Muniz OF, Jeremy Aleman P
Coach Leo Salinas Jr. took over the Mission Eagles baseball program three years ago after spending 20 years as an assistant. Salinas Jr., a former Mission High graduate and baseball player, has tried to rebuild his alma mater’s baseball program into what it once was. Assuming control of the program on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and losing student-athletes to neighboring districts because of open enrollment has made that task difficult. Yet, through it all, Salinas powers forward with a smile.
Last year, the Eagles narrowly missed the playoffs after finishing 3-7 in district. This year, the Eagles season has been one of trial and error. They have experienced the highs of victory and the pain of defeat, but through it all, a constant focus on building team chemistry and making intelligent plays has guided them. The Eagles’ .500 record keeps them on pace to eclipse their win total from last year. A playoff berth isn’t out of reach.
“We’ve been showing up a lot more and putting in a lot more work, focusing on the little things. We’re improving a lot,” outfielder Ivan Muniz said.
Muniz, shortstop Andrew Garza, and pitcher Jeremy Aleman have guided the Eagles to victories against quality teams and provided stability and leadership to a relatively inexperienced ball club. Their workmanlike attitudes and competitive spirits have been lightning rods for the Eagles this year.
“We’ve grown a lot since last year. I just wanna see everyone give it their all. It’s my last year. I don’t wanna go down without a fight. I don’t wanna go down sorry. I just want everyone to play for each other and just be a team. It’s amazing playing for the Eagles. It’s something I’ll live with forever. This time I spent playing with this team, I’ll always remember that. It’s a good group of guys, man. Everyone just gives it their all. We just work hard. We’re just good kids playing ball,” Garza said.
Garza and Muniz’s fielding and batting have kept the Eagles afloat while Aleman deals. He threw a no-hitter this year against one of the valley’s better 6-A teams, the Harlingen South Hawks. That moment and others like it have shown that the Eagles are more than just ready for the moment.
The Eagles will face Los Fresnos tonight at home ahead of their first district game next Tuesday versus Edinburg High. They know the journey ahead won’t be easy, but they’re fully prepared for what’s ahead.
“Anything can happen in this game. Anything can happen any given day. You just gotta keep preparing and putting the work in. We’re gonna play some good ball clubs. We just gotta stay positive with whatever comes our way,” Salinas said.
