Sharyland Rattlers rolling into Sweet 16 matchup vs. Boerne-Champion

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Bryan Ramos

MISSION — Sharyland has stormed its way into the regional semifinals for the first time in six seasons and the Rattlers are looking to keep things rolling as they enter a Sweet 16 matchup against Boerne-Champion, the No. 7-ranked team in Class 5A.

Game 1 of their Region IV-5A DII Semifinal best-of-three series is set for 7 p.m. tonight at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi. Game 2 is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start Friday at Cabaniss. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cabaniss Field.

“These guys have been working all fall, coming in on their own and hitting, lifting. Where they’re at right now reflects their hard work,” Sharyland head coach Austin Bickerton said. “I trust these guys and wouldn’t trade these guys for anything. With us getting this far, if you just look at Valley baseball and where it’s at now, from 2019 to all these teams making the regionals, it’s pretty cool to see what Valley baseball has become.”

The Rattlers have a balanced roster with a blend of upperclassmen leading the charge while a few freshmen and sophomores have earned their way onto the field.

It resulted in a 25-7-2 overall record, a second-place finish in a competitive District 31-5A, and now, another regional semifinal playoff appearance.

“We started off really strong at the beginning of the season, had a couple bumps in the middle, but I love the way we ended it off,” sophomore Edgar Quintanilla said. “We’re playing good baseball right now. We know the goal is to win every game and we have to be locked in for the playoffs.”

Senior Fabrizio Salinas has been sharp for Sharyland as he leads the team in batting average (.406), hits (39) and runs scored (33). He’s also their No. 1 pitcher with an 8-3 record and a 0.91 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched. He’s surrendered just one earned run with 16 strikeouts across 13 innings this postseason.

“I’m just trying to prove myself at the end of the day,” Salinas said. “I’m trying to show people the type of player I am. I feel like I’ve been overlooked the past couple years, but I’m just trying to prove myself and take it day by day. We’re just trying to throw strikes, have confidence in our defense and let the team work.”

The Rattlers have multiple arms behind Salinas that have been effective throughout the season. Junior Roy Rodriguez is second on the team in innings pitched with a 6-1 record, a 2.68 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 49 innings of work. Freshman Emilio Villarreal, who has started both Game 2s for Sharyland this postseason, has put together a strong debut campaign with a 6-1 record, a 2.77 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Sharyland is fresh off grinding out an area round series sweep over Mission Veterans, but it wasn’t easy. Game 1 finished with the Rattlers on top for a 1-0 victory, while Game 2 ended 6-1 in Sharyland’s favor.

If the Rattlers hope to get past Boerne-Champion, they’ll have to grind out another series in two and possibly three games.

Boerne-Champion (27-8) finished as co-district 26-5A champions and swept Cedar Park in Round 1 before going three games against San Antonio MacArthur, but the Rattlers are prepared for their third round playoff test.

“They’re a great program and they’re here for a reason. Nothing is going to be handed to us, so we have to go out there and play with heart and dedication and do what we do,” said junior Nic Valdez.

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