The Natalia Mustangs began practice in preparation for their 2018-2019 baseball season. Over 30 came out on day one of practice and according to Head Coach Jeff Terry, he expects near 40 total athletes to play this season once basketball season concludes.
Coach Jeff Terry will lead the Stangs this season, as Coach Philip Martinez resigned from Natalia and took a job at San Antonio Memorial High School. This marks the second stint for Terry, who has previous experience at Rivera-Kaufer and HM King High School.
“Coach Martinez did a great job of creating a culture of success with our baseball program I hope to build upon,” Coach Jeff Terry said. “We have a great group of seniors that will lead this team.”
Returning starters for the boys in blue this season include: Jeremiah Castro (Sr. P/SS), Matt Contreras (Sr. 2B/P), Anton Felker (Sr. CF), Uriel Arellano (Jr. 1B) and Diego Zapata (Jr. C/P).
Returning lettermen also include senior’s Matthew Billalobos and Austin Salas along with Juniors Saul Valadez and Joel Mendez.
Looking at the schedule for the 2018-2019 season the Mustangs will open scrimmage play this Friday at home versus former district foe Poth at 6:00 p.m.
Natalia will round out scrimmages versus Ingram on February 12th at 5:00 p.m. and at Randolph on February 15th.
This season, Natalia will compete at Charlotte and Edgewood ISD Tournaments. Non-district battles this season will include games versus Nixon-Smiley, Boerne Geneve, Runge, Poteet and St. Anthony.
District 30-3A will include games versus Dilley, Lytle, Jourdanton and Cotulla.
“I am excited to have this opportunity to coach hardworking kids that want to be successful,” Terry said in closing.
Terry will be assisted by Coach Ruben Garcia and Coach Diego Patino this season.
By Eric Smith