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Never count out big game playing SV.This years baseball team is packed with the 04- 2005 State runner up football team players.EAT CROW!!!
The Herald-Zeitung
Published June 01, 2005
According to one sports editor, the Class 5A baseball le has already been decided.
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times' John Allen said Tuesday that top-ranked Moody has all but wrapped up its second straight state championship. All that remains, he says, is that “they just have to play the games.”
Included in Allen’s insight was: “As soon as the last out was recorded against San Antonio Reagan, who was left to stand in Moody’s way in Region IV? Smithson Valley?
“Not going to happen, and Smithson Valley got rid of any chance to upsetting the Trojans when they fell into the trap of the underdog. Most coaches feel anything can happen in one game, and when facing a better team, you want to play a one-game series.”
That’s what Smithson Valley coach George Proctor did when arranging with Moody coach Corky Gallegos to play a one-gamer at 1 p.m. Thursday in Robstown. Gallegos begged to play a three-game series, to showcase pitchers Luis Flores (12-0) and Jason Rodriguez (11-1), even offering to play the entire series at NEISD’s Blossom Complex.
Proctor conceded his best chance is in a one-game affair, noting his pitching depth after his top two hurlers, Kendal Volz (13-2) and Bryant Sparkman (11-2), drops off in comparison to Moody’s. Outside of that, he said he’d put his team up against any other in the state.
Allen noted that Smithson Valley (27-7) has won 14 straight games, with Volz and Sparkman not allowing a run since the first game of the CC Carroll series. While that’s true, he said Flores will be all the Trojans (33-2-1) will need Thursday.
“I've got bad news for Smithson Valley: You are about to face arguably the greatest high school pitcher in Corpus Christi ISD history — Luis Flores. You better hope your pitchers have another 23 innings of scoreless ball in their arms if you expect to beat Mr. Flores and the Trojans. Because that is what it is going to take.”
Nowhere in the article does it mention Smithson Valley’s possible thirst to avenge 3-1 and 10-0 losses to the Trojans in last year’s regional semifinals. Flores allowed the Rangers only one hit in the first game — which was tied 1-all in the seventh when a controversial balk and subsequent error led to the two Moody runs that won the game.
Yes, anything can happen in one game.
Proctor said he saw Allen’s article while on-line Tuesday. Showing it to his players will be his first task when the Rangers report for practice at 2 p.m. today.
“Well, another 23 innings of scoreless ball will make us the state champs,” Proctor said. “I’m just fine with that.”
Proctor said in spite of the article, the Rangers will have to prove their worth on the field. Allen noted that after Smithson Valley falls, Rockwall might be the only team worthy of derailing the Trojans when they get to next week’s UIL state tournament.
“The Yellowjackets, who meet Klein Collins for the Region II le this week, beat both South Garland and The Woodlands with great pitching and opportunistic offense.”
That sort of smacks of another team that’s waiting to see what the “Moody Magic” is all about.
“We’re working hard right now,” Proctor said. “The players know what to expect, and they’re looking forward to the challenge.”
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