No doubts, only work - The Rider Newspaper

Associate Head Coach Russell Raley pitches balls to UTRGV baseball players to practice catching last Wednesday. The team will face off against 10 teams from the Big 12 Conference this upcoming season. At right is Assistant Coach Robert Martinez. FERNANDO RAMIREZ/THE RIDER PHOTOS

After a historic 2019, the UTRGV Baseball Team has returned to the diamond for its first full practice in preparation for the upcoming season.

Last year, the program had an overall record of 34-2, going 19-8 in the Western Athletic Conference, while tying with California Baptist University and New Mexico State University and sharing the No. 1 spot as co-WAC Champions.

“Winning 34 games is good but, like I said, we didn’t do good at the end of the season,” Head Coach Derek Matlock said. “We’re happy, but I think we have a lot of guys back that are winners and a lot of recruits … that are winners so winning means a lot. It’s a lot of confidence, it’s easier to play when you’re winning than when you’re losing.”

Graduate pitcher and catcher Max Balderrama Jr. described the team mentality going forward.

“I think, now, we’re kinda rolling into this year with the mentality of, like, never a doubt,” Balderrama said. “People kind of, like, think … it was kind of, like, a fluke or something like that. So, we’re just trying to roll with that, what happened last year, trying to build on that and see how far we can really take it this year.”

The team is comprised of many returning players and some fresh recruits to the team and is considered something that could benefit the program.

“Definitely the biggest difference between this year and last year has been our depth,” said Jacob Hirsh, redshirt sophomore outfielder. “Last year we had a really good starting nine, a couple good starting arms but beyond that, it was just kind of like guys might come in and play late in the game. This year, it’s been a battle at every single spot.”

Like any other sport, there are goals and achievements to be reached and for the UTRGV Baseball Team this season is no different.

“We gotta stay solid,” Matlock said. “Our goal this year is to get into regionals. … So, that goal is going to be alive all through the conference tournament. So, we’re going to focus on that. Hopefully, that can jump us another game up.”

The Vaqueros played an Orange vs. Gray scrimmage last Saturday. On Feb. 14, the team will open the 2020 season at home with a four-game series against Kansas State University.

For more information on the UTRGV Baseball Team, visit GoUTRGV.com.