Sinton alumni to square off as UTRGV visits Texas

AUSTIN — The Sinton Pirates reached the pinnacle of Texas high school baseball in 2022 by winning the UIL Class 4A State Championship at Disch-Falk Field in Austin, the home of the Texas Longhorns.

The Sinton Pirates celebrate winning the 2022 UIL Class 4A State Championship. Courtesy Photo.

Now, nearly three years later, four Sinton alumni are set to have a mini-high school reunion on that same field when UTRGV (24-10) visits No. 1 Texas (29-5) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Disch-Falk, and two are set for a family reunion.

“You don’t see that come around very often, and for us to all be competing on the diamond again at the Division I level, at the same place we last played with each other — I get goosebumps talking about it — it’s special,” said UTRGV junior outfielder Rene Galvan. 

His twin brother, Rylan, starts at catcher for Texas.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s left fielder Rene Galvan (25) watches the pitch against Texas Southern University in a non-conference game at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“We’ve never been on opposite sides of the lines. Everything we did, we always did together,” Rene said about Rylan. “Seeing him in the other dugout is going to be different, but it’s a dream come true to play against each other at this level.”

The UTRGV roster also includes junior McLennan transfer Wyatt Wiatrek, who was Sinton’s ace during their 2022 state title run. Texas’ roster also features sophomore Northwest Florida State transfer Jaquae Stewart, who played first base for the Pirates on the 2022 team.

UTRGV pitcher Wyatt Wiatrek. Courtesy Photo.

Wiatrek has earned a spot as a weekend starter for UTRGV this season. He holds a 5-0 record this year and ranks second on the team with a 3.09 ERA and has 40 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched.

Stewart has started 12 of 16 games and seen time at designated hitter for the Longhorns. He has five RBI and five runs this season.

Texas infielder Jaquae Stewart. Courtesy Photo.

The Galvan twins, who also doubled as football stars for Sinton’s high school football team, have become regulars for the Vaqueros and Longhorns, respectively.

Rene Galvan is in his first year at UTRGV after transferring from Tyler Junior College, while Rylan Galvan is in Year 3 with the Longhorns.

Rene has started 25 games for the Vaqueros this season, primarily in left field, and holds a .313 batting average with 14 RBI and 20 runs scored.

Rylan has started 29 games for the Longhorns and is hitting .330 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI and 35 runs scored.

Texas catcher Rylan Galvan. Courtesy Photo.

“It was just competing against one another, and without a doubt, I wouldn’t be in the position I am and he wouldn’t be in the position he is if it wasn’t for each other,” Rene said. “We both had a dream and we’re still trying to live it out. It’s been a journey.”

The game between UTRGV and No. 1 Texas can be seen on SEC Network+ on ESPN.

“I can’t wait to see those guys, compete against those guys and hug them after the game knowing what we’ve accomplished and we’re just going to keep working and keep going,” Rene said.

The post Sinton alumni to square off as UTRGV visits Texas appeared first on MyRGV.com.