Hawks Must Replace Key Players From 2012

Head Coach:                                      Tony Leal, 8th season

Assistant Coaches:                           Matthew Benavides, Jesse Landeros, Kevin Salazar

2012 Record:                                      21-11, District: 10-4

Career Record:                                 235-165

Schoolʼs District Titles:                  1994, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007

Bi-District Titles:                             1994, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012

Area Titles:                                       2003, 2006, 2007

Regional Quarter Final Title:        2007

Regional Semi-Final Title:                        2007

Regional Champions:                      2007

State Semi-Final Champions:       2007

State Finals:                                                 2007

Key Losses:                                       Zach Flores (William Jewel/ Missouri)

Cody Roberts

Elijah Hirschmann

                                                            Jesse Lillard (Aurora University/Ill.)

Kevin Rodriguez

David Arias

Drew Molder

Returning Starters:                         Bobby Arias (11), P/1B/DH

Anjel Gonzales (11), SS, District Defensive Player Of The Year

Oscar Garza (12), OF/P/INF, 2^nd Team All-District, OF

Zach Martinez (10), P/INF/C

Daniel Perales (10), INF/OF/P

Returning Lettermen:                     Jacob Atkinson (10), INF/P/OF                                                                                                                                 Dylan Wells (12), P

Mike Leal (12), OF

Jerry Hernandez (12), DH

Top Newcomers:                               Sean Montemayor (11), P/UTL

Nick Garcia (11), P/UTL

Joel Gonzalez (12), DH/C

Jake Martinez (10), C

Marc Rodriguez (11), 3B

Mark Cantu (12), 1B

Rene Esquivel (12), DH

A.J. Ibarra (12), P/OF

Aaron Ibarra (10), OF/P

Daniel Rivera (10), C/OF

The Harlingen South Hawks lost seven players from last year’s bi-district championship team.  The Hawks must also replace two players who transferred to other schools L.J. Gonzales (moved to Alabama) and Christian Mares (transfer to Harlingen High School).  Oscar Garza, Anjel Gonzales, Daniel Perales, Zack Martinez, and Bobby Arias will be counted upon for leadership this season.  Jerry Hernandez, Jacob Atkinson, Joel Gonzalez, Jake Martinez, Dylan Wells, Nick Garcia, and Sean Montemayor are some of the other players who will be given an opportunity to make a positive impact on the 2013 Hawk team.  The Hawks have been in the playoffs in every season since 2006 with the exception of 2008.  In 2009 the South Hawks were 9-17 4^th place, 2010 they were 14- 16 in 4^th place, 2011 19-11 4^th place, and in 2012 they were also 19 -11 in 2^nd place.  Last season the Hawks defeated Los Fresnos in bi-district play (6-5, 5-4) before losing in a tough area round matchup to State Ranked Sharyland in extra innings (6-5 9 innings and 5-4 in 8 innings) in the Area round of the playoffs. If the pitching holds up the Hawks could be looking at yet another trip to the playoffs in 2013.