Category: Warhorses & Arabians

Rios, Barnett, and Featherly with home runs!
The Arabians were hard at work over spring break, totaling three wins for the week. Last Friday the Devine varsity Arabian softball team took on the Carrizo Springs Wildcats. Hilary Barnett came to the ballpark and meant business on Friday, tallying four hits and leading the Arabians to a 13-3 win over Carrizo Springs. Barnett doubled in the first, homered in the second, doubled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth. The Arabians hit three home runs on the day. Rios, Barnett, and Featherly each knocked the ball out of the park during the second inning, contributing to a six run inning. The Arabians collected 15 hits. Barnett, Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Rios all managed multiple hits. Barnett went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Pitcher Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-2, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Featherly-1Barnett-4, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2.
Pitcher: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts-10.
Barnett throws a no hitter!
The Arabians next match over the holiday took place midday against the Pleasanton Eagles. Hilary Barnett was brilliant in the circle on Tuesday, as she threw a no-hitter to lead the Arabians past Pleasanton 9-0. Leading in hits was Arabian Kynedie Cruz who went 4-for-4 at the plate. Cruz singled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled in the sixth. The Arabians put up five runs in the sixth inning. The pressure was put on with a single from Cruz, and a home run from Maddie Brown. Pitcher Barnett lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out 18 and walking one. The Arabians racked up 13 hits in the game. Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Brown all managed multiple hits for the Arabians. Cruz led the Arabians with five stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base path. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-4, Featherly-2, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Brown-2, Contreras-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Coronado-2, Brown-1, Contreras-1.
Fielding: Outs: Hernandez-18, Dugosh-1, Blanton-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-1, Strikeouts-18.
Blanton with a homerun!
The Arabians final match over spring break was another midday game versus our rival Hondo Owls. The result was an easy 12-2 victory. The Arabians got things moving in the first inning, when Hilary Barnett doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The Arabians tallied five runs in the fifth inning. The offensive firepower by was led by Janelle Coronado, Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, and Skylar Blanton, all driving in runs in the frame. Pitcher Barnett went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. A threat in the batter’s box, Blanton launched one home run in the fifth inning. The Arabians tallied 12 hits in the game. Blanton, Valle, and Allie Dugosh all managed multiple hits for for the Arabians. Blanton went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead in hits.
Batting: Hits: Valle-2, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-3. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-2, Barnett-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-2, Hernandez-9, Brown-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-4, Walks-3, Strikeouts-9.
The winning streak has placed the girls at third in district with a 3-2 record. Tuesday, March 21st, the Arabians will travel to Somerset to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The following Friday, March 24th, the Arabians are scheduled to travel to Pearsall to take on the Lady Mavericks. Good luck Arabians!

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Devine was one inning from beginning its District 29-4A schedule 3-0. Devine took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning in Pleasanton March 14, but the Eagles finally put the wood on the ball to score three times in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the 3-1 victory.
“It was a heartbreaker, but we really did not do what we needed to do to pull out the win,” Head Coach Heath Poppe stated regarding his squad collecting only four hits and striking out 13 times against Eagle pitching.
Caden Hanson was masterful on the mound for five innings, but ran into a jam in the sixth allowing three earned runs. On 84 pitches, Hanson struck out four, while allowing only four hits and one walk.
Devine’s lone run came after Sam Guardiola opened the second inning on a hit-by-pitch then stole second before scoring on Corey Dirck’s RBI single.
A different story awaited the Horses in Jourdanton as Devine pounded out 11 hits and scored 8 runs in their 8-2 victory last Thursday.
Korbin Campbell got the victory, tossing four innings, giving up one earned run, striking out two, and walking only three on 62 pitches. Shayne Scarbrough came in as relief to throw the final three innings, striking out three and walking four.
Camden White, Jack Schneider, and Henry Ramirez got two hits apiece, while Anthony Saldivar, Gabriel Esquibel, Logan Camarillo, Sam Guardiola, and Corey Dirck each got one hit.
White led the RBI department with three, Dirck was next with two, and Saldivar and Ramirez each knocked home one run.
Up next
Devine is now 8-4-1 overall and 2-1 in district play. They will have played Somerset Tuesday, March 21 at Warhorse Field before matching up against Pearsall on the road March 24.

Last Friday, March 17th, Devine Arabian senior Neenah Guerrero traveled to compete in the THSWPA Powerlifting State Championship held in Frisco, Texas. Her hard work throughout the season earned her a fifth place title. What’s more impressive is the fact that this was Neenah’s first year being a member of the powerlifting team. Way to compete and congratulations on a successful season!
Neenah Guerrero, first place, squat 250, bench 130, dead lift 225, total 605.

Last Tuesday, March 7th, the Devine Arabian softball team traveled to Uvalde to play their third district game of the season. Strong pitching and limited error in the field won the match for the Arabians 3-0. The win puts the girls at a district record of 2-1, two losses; one win. Pitcher Hilary Barnett  threw a shutout, lasting seven innings, allowing five hits and zero runs while striking out 11 and walking zero. In the batter’s box the Arabians tallied seven hits. Denise Contreras and Natalie Valle led the team with two hits each. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Singles: Natalie Valle-2, Angelina Rios-1, Maddie Brown-1, Denise Contreras-2. Triples: Yaya Rodriguez-1. Runs: Valle-2, Rodriguez-1.
Fielding: Assists: Valle-1. Outs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Kynedie Cruz- 1, Kate Featherly-2, Barnett-2, Allie Dugosh-1, Rodriguez-11, Skylar Blanton-2.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Strikeouts-11.
Friday, March 10th, the Arabians hosted a match against Carrizo Springs. The Arabians trampled Carrizo a whopping 13-3. A threat on the mound and the batter’ box, Hilary Barnett tallied 4 hits; a single, two doubles, and a home run. On the mound, Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Varsity Arabians Kate Featherly and Angelina Rios were threats in the batter’s box as well with a home run each. As a team the Arabians totaled 15 hits. Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Hilary Barnett each collected multiple hits, and Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Allie Dugosh each made contact with one. The win settled the girls at a district record of 2-2.
Batting: Singles: Rodriguez-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1. Doubles: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-1, Barnett-2, Contreras-1. Triples: Contreras-1. Home Runs: Rios-1, Featherly-1, Barnett-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, M Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts- 10.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Seth DeLeon punched his ticket to the State Powerlifting Meet in Abilene March 24 with his 1,200lb effort in the 148lb weight class at Regional. DeLeon, Juan Rendon, Diego Mendoza, Joe Guerrero, and Zach Martinez all competed for the chance to advance to the final meet of the season last Friday in Kingsville.
Seth totaled 1,210lb to get the automatic state bid in his class by squatting 460, benching 315, and deadlifting 435 to finish 4th overall in Region 5 Division 2.
Juan Rendon (114lb) totaled 725lb by squatting 280, benching 145, and deadlifting 300 to finish 11th in the region.
Diego Mendoza (123lb) totaled 860lb by squatting 375, benching 175, and deadlifting 310 to finish 9th in the region.
Joe Guerrero (123) totaled 840lb by squatting 315, benching 195, and deadlifting 330 to finish 10th in the region.
Zach Martinez (198lb) totaled 1,335lb by squatting 520, benching 365, and deadlifting 450 to finish 9th in the region.
Congratulations to all Warhorse lifters, and best of luck to Seth at State March 24 in Abilene!

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Devine 8th Grade Colts rallied back from deficits on two different occasions to pull out the 24-14 victory at Barry Field in Hondo last Thursday evening. After falling behind 6-0 and 14-8, Devine took a 16-14 lead just before the halftime break and held on for the 10-point victory.
Hondo took the early lead on a 45-yard run with 2:35 to go in the first quarter, before Devine quarterback Alejandro Ramirez found Christian Beaver for a 32-yard pass completion that put the ball on the goal line door steps. Rowdy Esparza punched in the 2-yard run and added the two-point conversion to give Devine an 8-6 lead.
Devine kicker Cisco Rios perfectly placed the ensuing kickoff in a dead spot in the Owl return formation and it looked briefly that the Colts would add to their side of the scoring column after Esparza and Colt teammate Esai Sanchez made a big hit on a Hondo kick returner. Mikey Rodriguez scooped up the ball but Devine was unable to capitalize on the extra possession.
After the Colts turned the ball over on downs, Hondo drove in for a 10-yard touchdown run and two-point possession to take the lead back 14-8 with 3:05 to go in the second quarter.
Devine had enough time on the clock to put together an 11-play drive that culminated in another Esparza touchdown run, this time from 5-yards out. Esparza also converted the two-point run to give the Colts a lead they never relinquished at 16-14.
“Thankfully we found something in the run game with Alejandro, Mickey, and Rowdy taking turns running the ball,” said Coach Lon Cozby.
The Colts put together a great ball-control drive to start the second half that had Ramirez capping off a 14-play, 74-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run and the subsequent two-point conversion.
That touchdown was the game’s final score in the Colt 24-14 victory.
“We came out of halftime a different team,” Cozby continued. “That last drive going into halftime gave us some confidence on offense. We made a few adjustments on defense and that proved to be the difference.”
Devine had several players step to the plate against their rival from across the creek.
A few of the players already mentioned above, Cozby took time to heap some more praise their way, saying, “Alejandro proved himself at quarterback. He had some good runs and nice passes. Mikey had a great job running the ball and had a couple key catches too. And Rowdy just took over the game by running the ball hard all night.”
The backs had a very productive night, without a doubt. Those holes up front just don’t create themselves.
“Andres Padilla and Becker Byrd help us make holes at the tight end position. Dresden Schneider, Ayden Martinez and Jacob McKee were blocking tough on the line,” said Cozby regarding his players that have to do a lot of the dirty work to get the chains moving.
“Dresden also played well on defense. Sergion De Leon and Damon Johnson had a huge second half on the defensive side of the ball with multiple tackles. Cole Reyes and Esai did well from the secondary. And Cisco helped out by having to play in different spots due to some injuries,” Cozby said in closing of his team’s victory.
Looking ahead to this week’s contest, Cozby stated, “We have Uvalde this week and they will have ‘B’ teams so we are excited. We have good numbers and need that extra game to get kids more playing time.”