San Benito Greyhound pitcher Albert Vallejo delivers a strike at Friday evening's game against the Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
By CHRISTY CORTEZ
Special to the NEWS
Shown are members of the San Benito Greyhound Homerun Club, who helped raise funds to donate to Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagle pitcher Steven Garza, who is currently battling cancer. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
The San Benito Greyhounds suffered a devastating loss to the Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles Friday evening. Even with an amazing comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning led by catcher Adan Guzman, the ’Hounds were unsuccessful in their attempts to take down Hanna in nine innings. The final score after two extra innings was 9-2.
Trouble for the Greyhounds started early on when the Golden Eagles scored one run in the first inning. The ’Hounds held them from scoring until the top of the third when Hanna scored another run. San Benito held Hanna from scoring again, forcing extra innings.
Offensively, the Greyhounds were not coming through with key hits and left bases loaded twice and runners in scoring position three times. An attempt to come back in the sixth was started by Josh Huerta, who was later injured at first after a base hit. The injury was to his knee as many believe Hanna’s first baseman allegedly tripped Huerta.
Huerta exited the field with the help from San Benito trainers; he watched the rest of the game from the bench with a brace on his knee.
The Greyhounds seemed motivated by Josh’s injury to retaliate on the field at their next at bat in the seventh. Right fielder L.J Garcia was the first batter and earned a walk leaving Adan Guzman up to bat next. Flores then drove a pitch deep toward a gap in right field and turned it into a double, moving Garcia to third base.
With no outs, Jacob Puente came up to the plate and popped a fly ball into right field, far enough to where Garcia could take up from third base after the ball was caught and earn the first run of the night for San Benito. A designated runner then stole third base and came home on a pitch that got far behind the Hanna catcher.
In two extra innings, the Greyhounds weren’t able to score anymore runs and allowed Hanna seven in the ninth inning. Despite not being able to win the game, the Greyhounds showed amazing sportsmanship and gave support to the Hanna Golden Eagles by collecting donations and raffling off prizes to help Hanna pitcher Steven Garza, who was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this season. All proceeds from the raffle and donations made by Greyhound fans, coaches, and players were given to the Hanna baseball team to send to Steven Garza, who’s currently receiving treatment in San Antonio.
This contribution was deeply appreciated by Hanna Head Coach Eddie Garcia, who showed his gratitude to San Benito as the only valley baseball team who has contributed donations to Garza.
“I’m speechless by this. I know there are great people out there, but this is unbelievable. Speaking on behalf of his (Steven Garza’s) parents, I just want to thank the players and the people who donated. I’m sure Steven and his parents appreciate this,” said Garcia, who speaks to Garza and his parents on a regular basis to check on his progress.
Garcia said Garza was showing signs of progress and added that doctors have been impressed with as much.
Greyhound Head Baseball Coach Xavier Acosta said, “We send our well wishes and prayers out to that young man (Steven Garza) and our support in his time of need.”
The fundraiser was started by senior player Albert Vallejo’s sister, Madelyn Vallejo who participates with the baseball booster club. Vallejo said when she heard about the story she became emotional, being that Garza is the same age that Albert is and also pitches as well.
She felt the need to help in any way, so Vallejo donated a baseball and had all the players sign the ball. She then presented the ball to the Greyhound Homerun Club and then came up with the idea to sell tickets to raffle the ball and give the money made from the tickets to Garza.
Sonia Huerta then contributed by gathering San Benito businesses to donate items to the raffle in order to draw more people to buy tickets. Some prizes included dinners at El Gallito, Vicky’s, and Blue Marlin, as well as gift cards. The Homerun Club also decided to donate the earnings from their concession stand to Garza as well as monetary donations that were contributed by fans as they bought tickets to the baseball game, including the Lady ’Hounds softball game that was being played at home Friday night as well.
The Greyhounds continue play Tuesday at home against the Brownsville Rivera Raiders, whom they defeated in the first round. This writer encourages everyone to come and support the Greyhound baseball team. Support encourages the team and increases motivation to perform better and make their supporters proud; after all, they’re Greyhounds too.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the April 6 edition of the San Benito News.
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