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Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The 2026 season for the Devine Warhorse baseball team did not unfold without its fair share of bumps and bruises, but it told a story far richer than the final record might suggest. Finishing 15-12 overall and 5-7 in District 27-4A, the Warhorses battled through a schedule filled with tough opponents, close contests, and moments that tested both their resilience and resolve.
While the standings may not fully capture the journey, those who followed the team closely know this was a season defined as much by growth as it was by results.
Challenges came in many forms but the Warhorses consistently showed a willingness to compete and improve. Game after game, there were flashes of promise with timely hits, strong outings on the mound, and defensive plays that reminded everyone of the team’s potential.
Those bright spots weren’t isolated moments. They were building blocks, and solid evidence of a group learning how to fight together and for one another.
Beyond the scoreboard, the season delivered something even more lasting for Warhorse Nation. Players, coaches, parents, and fans shared in the highs and lows, creating memories that stretched far beyond wins and losses.
From long bus rides to late-inning rallies, from late practices to postgame conversations, this team created a bond that will stick with them well into the future which are truly the moments that define a season in ways statistics never can.
The truth is no season is ever wasted regardless of playoff positioning or lack thereof as every inning played, every challenge faced, and every lesson learned contributes to something bigger as each student-athlete will remember the feeling of being part of something special, something that was undoubtedly worth every ounce of effort they gave.
A big shoutout to Head Coach Heath Poppe, assistants Bart Oropeza and Jacob Sadler, and to all players who stepped into the batter’s box and took the field in 2026.
Final roster Christian Beaver, Rudy Costilla, Karter Brown, Kaleb Oropeza, Brayden Mann, Caden Scott, Steven Montes, Aiden Martinez, Alejandro Ramirez, Duke Wheeler, Deryck Frazier, Cole Reyes, Ty Sadler, Riley Gutierrez, Esai Sanchez, Gerardo Villasenor.
vs Pearsall
Devine was simply the better team all the way around in this one as they busted out 9 runs on 8 hits, allowed one hit, and committed no fielding errors in their blanking of the Mavericks on April 22.
Brayden Mann was solid throughout, tossing a 7-inning complete-game on 85 pitches with 54 of those going for strikes. He struck out five while facing only 25 batters.
Seven of Devine’s nine hits were singles, but they got runners across the plate when it mattered which is something that doomed them in previous games.
Karter Brown went 2-3 at the plate with a double and a walk, drove in a run, and scored twice. Alejandro Ramirez had the other two-base hit for the Horses, which was a big one as he cleared the bases on his fifth inning 3-run double.
Christian Beaver ad Kaleb Oropeza showed great discipline at the plate as they each drew two walks to account for four of Devine’s 8 total free passes.
Gerardo Villasenor knocked in the first run in the first inning on a single to score Esai Sanchez.
Ramirez got his first RBI on a ground out in the second inning to score Brown.
Brown singled in Sanchez in the third inning followed by Rudy Costilla singling in Oropeza which led to Ramirez’s big 3-run hit to make it 7-0.
Costilla drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning to score Oropeza then Ty Sadler also wore a pitch to score Beaver for the game’s final run.
vs Floresville
Without a shot at the playoffs, Devine could have rolled over in this one but to absolutely no one’s surprise the Warhorses fought tooth-and-nail with Floresville for the entirety of the ballgame.
Devine trailed early 4-0 before putting up a 4-spot of their own in the third inning, then busting out another three runs in the bottom of the fourth before taking what looked like a commanding 8-4 lead after five complete innings.
However, the Tigers got their bats going to score 7 runs over their final two at-bats to claim the 8-3 win on Warhorse Field.
Kaleb Oropeza and Rudy Costilla each knocked in two runs while Esai Sanchez and Costilla each pounded out three hits on the night.
Sanchez, Christian Beaver, Karter Brown, and Duke Wheeler each added an RBI while Oropeza, Beaver, and Wheeler each collected multiple hits.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports editor
The Devine Arabians snag the bi-district championship after the series sweep against the Navarro Panthers. The Arabians began both games trailing and battled back in epic fashion to secure the wins and move on to the area championship. In game one, Devine was trailing 1-3 to the Panthers but slowly crept their way to a tie in the fourth inning at 8-8. After the fourth frame, the Arabians would score four more runs while holding off Navarro, winning 12-8.
In game two, that same resilience shined as the Arabians trailed Navarro almost the entire game. Devine was down 2-5 in the opening frame then wouldn’t score again until the top of the fifth. With the score at 5-6 in favor of Navarro, the Arabians would score two clutch runs in the final inning to seal the victory and the series at 7-6.
Head coach Micheal Sotelo said it’s no surprise the team responded to adversity so well because the coaching staff has primed them for these moments all season.
“ We’ve put these girls in uncomfortable positions all year and they have become comfortable with our decisions,” Sotelo said. “They have become so resilient this year and it has been fun to watch. We’ve had different girls all season come up with some quality at bats and make plays on defense.”
When looking ahead to their matchup against Wimberley Texans, Sotelo said the teams matchup well. Sotelo noted that while the Texans may hold a slight edge in certain areas, the same applies to the Arabians.
“We hope to keep the game close and give our team a chance to win it in the end,” Sotelo said.
The Area playoff games will start this Wednesday, April 28 at Alamo Heights Athletics Mule Diamond in San Antonio at 7 P.M.…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!