no comments The Patriots Must Replace Top Pitcher In 2012
The Mission Veterans Patriots will have to replace two of their top two players from a year ago in Desi Villarreal and Arnold Gonzalez. The Patriots were dealt a heavy blow when 1st Team All-District player Adrian Morales was badly injured during football season and Coach Smith believes it will be difficult to return with a torn ACL. Julian Fernandez, Danny Gutierrez, Aggie Villarreal, and newcomer Edward Peña will all have to step up on the mound for the Patriots this season. “We will have to replace a lot of speed at the top of the order (53 stolen bases) and defense up the middle with the loss of Desi and Arnold. Villarreal also logged 60 innings on the mound for us last season, so finding a quality replacement will be a key,” said Coach Casey Smith beginning his 3rd season at Veterans. “For us to be successful in this tough district we must play as a team and rely heavily on defensive fundamental,” added Coach Smith
Play-offs. With tens teams in District 32-4A all teams will have little to no chance to gain experience with non-district games. The Patriots finished 4th for the second consecutive season then losing to perennial power Corpus Christi Calallen in bi-district action. The Patriots believe they are a playoff team but, they are looking for a better seed in 2012.
Head Coach: Casey Smith, 3rd season
Assistant Coaches: James Smith, Ben Yzaguirre, David Alejos, Sam Tagle
2011 Record: 17-13, District: 11-7
Career Record: 34-26
Playoff Appearance: 2005 3rd seed, 2010 4th seed, 2011 4th seed
Key Losses: Desi Villarreal
Arnold Gonzalez
Returning Starters: Danny Gutierrez (12), P/3B
Julian Fernandez, (11), SS/P
Brandon Ibarra, (10), C, District Newcomer Of The Year
Adrian Morales, (12), DH/OF, 1st Team All-District, DH
Marc Pena, (12), 1B
Isaac Guerrero (11), OF
Aggie Villarreal (10), P/2B
Top Newcomers: Edward Peña (9), P/SS
Larry Cavazos (10), UTL
Ruben Cavazos (9), OF
Tags: mission vets
