Crowther takes over Natalia baseball

Coach Kasey Crowther is taking over the Mustang baseball team this season.

Medina, Texas native Kasey Crowther will take over the Natalia Baseball program this season. The boys in blue are coming off a Bi-District Playoff appearance from a season ago as they will return 9 returning lettermen/starters to the program. Over 30 young men are out to compete this season and according to Crowther, he has big expectations for his squad.
“I feel extremely blessed and excited to be taking over the Natalia Baseball program,” Crowther said. “It is an honor to give back to a community that does so much to support our staff and kids.”
Crowther a Medina Bobcat graduate had the chance to play baseball and football for Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas where he pursued a degree in education. He then attended TAMUSA where he finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology with a minor in history.
He was fortunate to be a part of two successful athletic programs prior to joining the Natalia Mustang Coaching staff where great things are happening. Upon graduation, he was hired by Poth where he coached football, basketball and baseball. He continued at Floresville where he was Co-Defensive Coordinator, the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Head Powerlifting, Assistant Baseball and Assistant Track during his tenure there.
A season ago, Crowther joined the Natalia staff and has served two seasons as the Defensive Coordinator. He also served as the Head Powerlifting Coach a season ago.
“We have a great group of coaches that will assist me this season,” Crowther said. Longtime Assistant Ruben Garcia will continue in Natalia as well as second year assistant Coach Diego Patino.
“We had 30 kids out on the first few days of practice and I expect another 10+ once basketball is over.
Among those include the 9 returning lettermen/starters as mentioned earlier. They are: Diego Zapata (Sr.)-Utility, Jermiah Gomez (Sr.)-INF/P, Uriel Arellano (Sr.)-INF/DH, Saul Valadez (Sr.)-INF, Fabian Ruiz (Jr.)-Utility, Gavin Martinez (Jr.)-OF, Jacob Navarro (Jr.)-OF/C, Austin Guzman (Jr.)-INF, Manuel Garcia (Soph.)-Utility.
“We have an extremely tough district, so we have worked really hard to put together a competitive pre-district schedule in order to prepare for our competition.
Natalia begins scrimmage action on the road in Poth on February 11th vs the Pirates before returning home on the 17th vs. Poteet. The final scrimmage will be February 21st on the road at Universal City Randolph.
Non-district games include a unique date with Johnson City in the season opener on the road on February 25th, as well as a road game in Carrizo Springs, a home date with Carrizo, a road game at Sabinal and a home date with St. Anthony. Non-District Tourneys include the Charlotte, Edgewood and Pearsall.
District 30-3A will be the same of course with Dilley, Lytle, Jourdanton and Cotulla.
“I look forward to running a first class ball club and competing against some of the best teams in the state,” Crowther said. “Trust the process Mustang Nation!”
By Eric Smith
Staff Writer