Three Class 6A standouts from Laredo have been celebrated by the Texas Sports Writers Association, securing All‑State honors for the second straight year.
Roman Martinez, a pitcher for United South, was named to the third team All‑State list and also earned District 30‑6A and All‑City Most Valuable Player accolades.
Martinez capped his senior season at Amarillo College by becoming the school’s all‑time leader in strikeouts and hits, finishing with a .394 batting average, 39 hits and 25 RBIs while also posting a 0.89 ERA and a program‑record 118 strikeouts.
His dominance on the mound helped form a potent duo with teammate JP Briseno, who was recognized as an All‑State honorable mention at third base and shared the All‑City co‑Pitcher of the Year award after finishing 9‑1 with a 2.21 ERA and 57 strikeouts.
Hector Cadena, also from United, added a second‑team All‑District shortstop nod and a second‑team All‑State selection, having batted .453 with 48 hits, five home runs and 19 RBIs as a junior and was named the district’s Offensive Player of the Year.
A Historic Season for the Panthers
The Panthers’ campaign nearly culminated in a historic run to the Elite Eight, as they fell short in a three‑game series against Austin Lake Travis, the eventual state runner‑up.
Coach Martinez praised the senior class for their leadership, noting that the team’s near‑miss marked the closest the program has come to reaching the state playoffs.
Earlier in the summer, all three athletes had already been honored by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association, underscoring a consistent pattern of excellence.
Their recognitions reflect not only individual brilliance but also the growing baseball talent emerging from Laredo and the broader Amarillo region.