Battle-tested Palmview primed for Sweet 16 series vs. New Braunfels

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Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer

MISSION — La Joya Palmview’s 2024 season ended in the area round with the Lobos on the wrong side of a Game 3 walk-off.

This year, Palmview flipped the script and punched its ticket to the Class 5A DI regional semifinals with a walk-off victory in the 13th inning of Game 3 of its area round playoff series against McAllen Rowe, sending the Lobos into the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.

Now, Lobos are locked in for their Region IV-5A DI Semifinal best-of-three playoff series against the New Braunfels Unicorns.

Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi. Game 2 is set for 4 p.m. Saturday back at Cabaniss Field, with Game 3, if necessary, to follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.

“When you get to the Sweet 16, you’re playing the best against the best in the state of Texas. Hopefully we can take care of business,” said Palmview head coach Manuel Garcia, who hit the 300-career win mark earlier this year.

Palmview’s senior class has been a part of four-straight district championships. In 2023, they reached the regional semifinal round of the state playoffs.

Now that they’re back in the regional semis, the Lobos are looking to extend their playoff run by reaching next week’s regional final.

Senior pitcher and shortstop Mateo Garcia has been a four-year force for the Lobos. He’s batting .480 with 47 hits, 24 RBI and 20 runs scored. He’s also 6-1 with a 1.12 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 43.2 innings

“Each one of us knows that we can go in there and battle it out with any team, any lineup,” Mateo Garcia said.

While a 13-inning win-or-go-home playoff game is a rare scenario, Palmview is no stranger to playing in extra inning thrillers. The Lobos went 15 innings against 30-5A runner-up Mission Veterans on April 1 as Palmview walked away with a 3-1 win on the road.

Junior pitcher Joseph Martinez has started both Game 1s for Palmview this postseason. They’re 2-0 in those games as Martinez now stands 9-0 with a 1.10 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 51 innings.

“We have each other’s back and we have to believe, trust and have faith in each other,” Martinez said. “The adrenaline starts kicking in and you have to love the moment and make the best of it.”

A group of freshmen have also earned roles as everyday contributors and come up big during postseason play. First baseman Javi Garza ranks second on the team with 29 hits and second baseman and pitcher Osi Lopez is 4-1 with a 1.64 ERA and 39 strikeouts.

Garza went 3-for-5 in Palmview’s Game 3 win over Rowe to help pull out the victory.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this without the seniors and their leadership. It just feels good to be able to help the team,” Garza said.

Now, all that stands between Palmview and the Elite 8 is a talented New Braunfels squad.

The District 26-5A co-champion Unicorns are ranked No. 6 in the latest Diamond Pro/THSB Top 25 and No. 9 in the latest Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Top 10.

They’re 4-0 this postseason with sweeps against Leander Glenn and San Antonio Southwest.

“We’re going to have to fight,” Mateo Garcia said. “We know that we can play with anybody. They’re a great team and a good ball club. They’re in the Sweet 16 for a reason, but we’re also in the Sweet 16 for a reason.”

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