A Historic Run
The Sharyland Rattlers, representing the Rio Grande Valley, saw their championship dreams stall in a rain‑delayed final against Lovejoy High School in Round Rock, Texas.
Originally scheduled for Friday night, the state title game was pushed to Saturday morning as inclement weather moved through the area. Lovejoy opened the scoring with three runs in the first inning, courtesy of RBI singles from Lucas Smith and Carson Branch.
Sharyland answered in the second inning when Diego Chapa delivered a base hit that brought home the Rattlers' first run, narrowing the gap early.
The momentum shifted in the sixth inning when IJ Garza doubled, driving in Edgar Quintanilla and cutting the deficit further.
A pop‑up by Nic Valdez in the same frame ended the contest, sealing a 7‑2 final score and concluding the Rattlers' season.
Coach Austin Bickerton praised the seniors and the historic nature of the run, expressing pride in the team's effort and the lessons they will carry forward.
Bickerton highlighted that key players — including IJ Garza, Omar Cantu, Diego Chapa and Milo Villarreal — will return next year, using the experience to sharpen their preparation and work ethic.
The Valley has never captured a baseball state championship, making the Rattlers' runner‑up finish a milestone for the region.