PROUD SPONSOR OF LONGHORN BASEBALL

Edinburg will face Laredo United in Alice, Texas Friday night in a one game series.  Laredo United pulled off the upset of Sharyland last week, while Edinburg defeated Brownsville Hanna in the bi-district round.  Special Thanks to the Law Offices of Guillermo G. del Barrio of Laredo for sponsoring this game.

The Harlingen South Hawks travel to Weslaco for tonight’s bi-district baseball game.  This is a three game series. Game 1 on Thursday begins at 7 PM. Carlos Robledo and David Fox will lead our broadcast tonight.

Playoff Sponsor Steve Bazan Farmers Insurance

Harlingen South vs. Weslaco

956sports.com playoff baseball coverage presented by Steve Bazan – Farmers Insurance Agency- will begin Thursday in Weslaco as the Harlingen South Hawks take on the Weslaco Panthers in the bi-district round.  Leading our broadcast will be Carlos Robledo and David Fox.  Carlos and David will call the best of three series.  Friday night’s game will be in Harlingen and if needed, Saturday’s game will be in Weslaco.

Sharyland vs. Laredo United

Joe Bowling will take the lead for this game between Sharyland, Maxpreps.com’s 2^nd ratied team in the nation and Laredo United. United has had to deal with some forfeitures of games, but is far better than their record indicates.  Both teams will be traveling to Sinton, Texas. Broadcast starts at 7:30.

CARDS WILL NEED TO DEPEND ON YOUTH FOR SUCCESS

Head Coach: Ron Kretz, 8th season

Assistant Coaches: Gus Gonzalez, Roli Olivo, Rey De Leon

2010 Record: 17-11, District: 6-8

Career Record: 157-133

School’s District Titles: 1988, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005

Bi-District Champions: 1996, 1997, 1998

Area Champions: 1998

Key Losses: DJ Guerrero

Tipper Ramirez

Adam Davalos

Joe Martinez

Mike Betancourt

Returning Starters: Carlos Cortez (12), 2B/P, HM All-District

Mike Medina (12), OF,

Kevin Ledesma (11), P/UTL

Patrick Ortega (12), OF

Returning Lettermen: Richard McNutt (11), P

Josh Jaeger (12), 2B

Gabriel Gonzalez (12), P

Top Newcomers: Zeke Silva (10), C/DH

Andrew Gonzalez (11), C

Orlando Lugo (11), OF

Mike Trejo (10), INF/DH

The Harlingen Cardinals lost five very talented players from last year’s team, so four returning starters will be looked upon to give confidence to the younger players.  “We have to have our underclassmen step up and perform at a high level.  The upperclassmen must continue to improve throughout the season,” said Coach Ron Kretz begging his 8th season at Harlingen High.  Carlos Cortez (.241, 15 RBI, 5 2B and 3-0 on the mound with an ERA of 3.68), Mike Medina (.283 with 12 RBI), Patrick Ortega (.415), and Kevin Ledesma (.224, 6 RBI and 3-2 on the mound with an ERA of 2.14) will be the leaders of the 2011 version of the Cardinal program.  Richard McNutt and Gabriel Gonzalez will be very instrumental for the Cardinals from the hill this season.  Both gained valuable experience last season.  The Cardinals always have good athletes and this year will be no exception.

Coach Valdez Has The Bobcats On A Playoff Run

Head Coach: Robert M. Valdez, 3rd, 7th overall

Assistant Coaches: David Kasprzynski, Toby Gonzales, Oscar Ochoa

Career Record: 67-84

2010 Record: 20-13, District: 10-4

Schoolʼs District Titles: 1951, 1952, 1961, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008

Key Losses: J.J. Balderas

Lee Rios (UTPA)

Carlos Pena

Derick Soza

Christian Alvarado

Jeremy Salinas

Returning Starters: Sammy Alvarado (11), P/INF, 1st Team All-District P/HM UTL.

Aldo Zamora (11), C/1B, HM, C

Rick Vasquez (12), C/1B, HM, OF

Returning Lettermen: Joe Munoz (12), P/OF

Ivan Herrera (11), P/INF

Daniel Gonzalez (12), INF/OF

David Cantu (12), C

EJ Melendez (12), UTL

Top Newcomers: Luis Alanis (11), P/INF

Nick Escobar (12), P

Andrew Arteaga (12), P/INF

Albert Flores (12), C

Danny Patiño (12), P/INF

Edgar Cordon (11), P/INF

In the last few years under Head Coach Robert Valdez the Bobcats have hit the post-season.  This year should be no different with the help of several transfers.  Sammy Alvarado, Aldo Zamora, and Rick Vasquez lead the returning lettermen.  All the newcomers mentioned above will provide plenty of talent to compete for the district title.  The Bobcats will battle PSJA and PSJA North for the title this season.  Sammy Alvarado is one of the best baseball players in district 31-5A and Aldo Zamora is a solid catcher with a big bat.  Coach Robert Valdez will be starting his 3rd season in Bobcat country.

HARLINGEN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

HT: 5’11’’ WT: 155

Position: Catcher

Parents Name: Randy and Kathy Buie

What Are Your Team Goals For This Season? Our Only Team Goal Is To Win A State Championship. We Figure That Shooting For Anything Less Than That Is A Waste Of Time.

What Are Your Individual Goals For This Season? I’d Like To Hit Over .400, And Throw Out At Least 50% Of Base Runners. I Want To Contribute As Much As I Can To The Team.

What Has Been Your Most Memorable Game As A Player So Far And Why? The Most Memorable Game So Far Was Playing Against PSJA For The Season Opener My Sophomore Year. The Upset Ended Up Being A Crucial Step For A Playoff Bid.

Which Player (pitcher/batter) Do You Recall Has Been The Toughest To Face So Far? The Toughest Pitcher I Have Faced So Far Was Ricky Villarreal From Edinburg.

Who Is Your Favorite Baseball Player? My Favorite Baseball Player Is Joe Mauer.

Who Has Had The Biggest Influence On You On The Baseball Field? Why? The Biggest Influence Has Been My Parents. They Have Sacrificed Lots Of Time And Energy Trying To Make Me A Better Ballplayer. I Am Extremely Thankful For All That They Have Done For Me.

Which Is Your Favorite Baseball Movie? The Sandlot, I Could Watch It Over And Over.

If You Could Look Ahead 10 Years Where Do You See Yourself? In Ten Years I See Myself Beginning A Family Somewhere Up In North Texas, And Hopefully Making A Nice Salary.

What Number Do You Use? Why? I Use Number 30 Because That Was The Number That I Was Given My Freshman Year. I Decided To Stick With It For My High School Career.

The Edinburg Bobcats (16-11/ 9-4) will take on crosstown rival Edinburg North(8-17/ 4-8) on Friday.  This is the final district game for these teams.  Alex Del Barrio, voice of the RGV Vipers will be doing the play by play of the game.  Check back at 7 pm for pregame interviews and the game which starts at 7:30.

Live video by Ustream

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why? Captain America because of his leadership

Do you have any superstitions before or during your games and if so, what are they? No I don’t have any.

What has been your best game so far and what did you do? Last year’s playoff game. I hit a three run shot to take the lead for my team and we won

If you could invite any three people to dinner, who would they be? God, Jose Reyes, and my grandpa

What is the significance of your uniform number? Just a number I like and grown up with.

What is your most prized possession? My phone and iPod

What is your favorite food? Everything and anything

Who has been the toughest pitcher or hitter you have faced? Miguel Peña

What is your favorite baseball movie? Hardball

Who is your favorite major league baseball player and team? Jose Reyes and the Atlanta Braves

Who is your favorite college baseball team? North Carolina

What are your plans for next year? Go to school and get a degree in medicine