By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
The 2025 Port Isabel Early College High School young baseball team had a tough season, but several
PIECHS players still left their mark on the field.
Earning First Team, All-District Outfield honors was freshman, Joseph “Jojo” Martinez (Unanimous). A
standout player, J. Martinez also earned Second Team, All-District honors as a Pitcher as well.
Sophomore, Grayson Estes also earned Second Team, All-District honors as a Pitcher.
In the infield, sophomore, Aidan Mock earned Honorable Mention at First Base. Meanwhile, freshman,
Mayson Vasquez earned Honorable Mention at Shortstop and sophomore, Eli Alvarez earned Honorable
Mention at Third Base. Junior Outfielder, Bryan Martinez earned Honorable Mention Outfield and junior, Elijah Rodriguez earned Honorable Mention (unspecified position).
And last but not least was team senior captain, Steven “Stevie” Martinez who earned Honorable Mention
as a Catcher was senior. S. Martinez was a multi-sport graduate and a 4-year baseball starter for the
Tarpons. he will be attending University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) on a football scholarship.
Head baseball coach, Albert Barbarena III was proud to be Stevie’s coach and knows the hard-working
student-athlete has a bright future ahead of him. “Steven ended up being our true Captain and leader of our
young baseball team. He was a motivator and a coach on the field for us. As a freshman he started on
Varsity. I knew Steven was going to be an exceptional hitter and baseball player. By his senior year, Steven
was very mature and became a true baseball player that would sacrifice himself by playing multiple
positions knowing that it was best for the team.” Said Barbarena III, “I am very proud of him and I know he
will be successful in the next chapter in his life.”
Other superlatives include, MVP – Ian Szczuroski, Hidalgo (Unanimous); Offensive POY – Raul
Prishker, Hidalgo; Defensive POY – Jaythan Salinas, La Grulla; Newcomer of the Year – Jose Hernandez,
La Grulla and Cory Justice, Valley View; Utility POY – Andruw Rivera, La Feria; Designated Hitter –
Carlos Espinoza, Valley View; and Coach of the Year – Karlos Carrasco, Hidalgo.
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