Shiner building on ’07 ending

Loss in last year’s regional final still tough to swallow

BY MIKE FORMAN - ADVOCATE SPORTS WRITER

February 17, 2008 - 9:37 p.m.

SHINER – It will be difficult for Shiner’s Kyle Condel to top his junior season.

Condel was selected as the Player of the Year on the Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 1A all-state team and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the Advocate’s all-area team after compiling a 16-2 pitching record with a 1.28 ERA that included 170 strikeouts in 1091/3 innings. Condel hit .427 with three home runs, seven doubles and 28 RBIs, while scoring 36 runs and being successful on all 28 of his stolen base attempts.

But the memory of last season that sticks with Condel is losing the decisive game of a best-of-three regional final series against Thorndale that prevented the Comanches from advancing to the state tournament.

“Even more than the player of the year and all the awards I got, the main thing I wanted was to go to state and get that state championship,” Condel said. “That would mean a lot more than all the awards. It was hard to know we were so close to being there. I think that’s definitely going to drive us harder this year.”

Shiner coach Daniel Boedeker hasn’t shied away from talking to his players about the Thorndale series. The Comanches had the tying run on third base in the seventh inning only see the game, the series and the season end on a double play.

“I don’t think anybody’s forgotten about it,” Boedeker said. “It gives you a little drive going into the season to realize how close you were and you want to make sure you’re working on all the little things because you never know when that one little thing might make the difference.”

Shiner has six returning starters in addition to Condel from last season’s team that finished 27-4. Matthew Hibbs, who will move from the outfield to shortstop, and Dalton Handley are still recovering from football injuries but should join D.J. Pustka, Julian Longoria, Ryan Lawrence and Drew Hagens to form a nucleus capable of making a deep playoff run.

“We come in and start hitting the basics right away,” Boedeker said. “From Day 1 we work on our drills with the infielders and the outfielders and we work on our throwing mechanics. As far as experience goes, we’re hoping that pays off down the road.”

Boedeker has high expectations for Condel, who started six of nine playoff games last season.

“We’re expecting a lot of leadership from him and he does that,” Boedeker said. “With him being in the big games for us last year a lot of the kids built confidence around him and everybody just kind of feeds off him.”

Boedeker is confident sophomore catcher Drew Stafford can make the transition from the junior varsity and will attempt to build pitching depth for the District 28-1A race and the postseason.

“We’re giving lots of different guys chances to throw in the scrimmages and we’ll continue to do that throughout the course of our pre-district schedule,”Boedeker said. “We’re hoping some of those questions get answered.”

2008 Advocate-Area Baseball Capsules

District 24-4A

Bay City Blackcats

Coach: Robert Rayos.

Last Year’s Record: 24-11.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: SS/P Zach Benson (.364, 22 RBIs, 5-1, 2 saves, 1.50 ERA); C Chance Leissener (.374, 8 HR, 34 RBIs); IF/P Shaun Rutherford (.420, 27 RBIs, 6-2, 1 save); P Travis Tomek (4-1, 1.54 ERA); P Andre Vargas (3-1, 2.90 ERA); OF Tony Davis (.326).

El Campo Ricebirds

Coach: Kerry Brandl.

Last Year’s Record: 16-11.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2006.

Returning Starters: SS/P Andrew Kinder (.289, 18 RBIs, 5-3, 2.20 ERA, 57 IP, 33 SO); 2B Tyler Socha (.288); OF Blake Korenek (.257); 3B/P Bryan Skow (.255, 3-2, 3.32 ERA, 31 IP, 17 SO); 1B/P Matthew Hamman (.234, 5-5, 2.99 ERA, 68 IP, 40 SO); OF/P Landon Appling (1-0, 10 IP, 12 SO); OF/C Tyler Woods (.277 - out for season after shoulder surgery).

District 30-4A

Beeville Trojans

Coach: Lance Standley.

Last Year’s Record: 14-17-1.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: OF Richie Mendoza (.265, 6 2B, 25 RBIs); OF Oscar Banda (.224, 11 SB); 3B Colton Morris (4 2B); UT Buck Pate (.212, 10 SB); P/SS Eric Soza (4-3, 3.26 ERA, .328).

Calhoun Sandcrabs

Coach: Santos Alvarado.

Last Year’s Record: 6-19.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2002.

Returning Starters: 2B Rance Whitaker; P Devan Robins; OF Joel Lopez; OF Nick Rodriguez; OF Hunter Hammond; P A.J. Pina; SS Bobby Faltesek; C Michael Sanders.

District 24-3A

Wharton Tigers

Coach: Floyd Cirtuti.

Last Year’s Record: 23-7.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: 2B Brian Cervenka (.283, 1 3B, 6 2B, 13 R, 11 RBIs); P/3B Taylor Ustynik (5-1, 45.2 IP, 41 SO); P/SS Kris Looper (10-4, 72 IP, 48 SO); OF Ben Williams (.324, 15 SB); P/1B Michael Mata (.260, 14 RBIs); OF David Horta (.333, 10 SB).

District 29-3A

Cuero Gobblers

Coach: Scott Holder.

Last Year’s Record: 24-9.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/SS Jennings Boothe (8-1, 1.56 ERA, 71 SO, .473, 11 2B, 37 RBIs, 34 SB); P Mark Herrera 3-1, 1.30 ERA, 57 SO); OF/P Tyler Arndt (2-0, .388, 41 RBIs, 33 SB); OF/C Troy Ruiz (.389, 28 RBIs, 15 SB); C/P Jake Rangnow (2-0, .356, 4 3B, 6 2B, 19 RBIs, 17 SB); P Brandon Martinez (4-0, 2.31 ERA, 67 SO); 1B Patrick Nami (.331, 3 3B, 13 RBIs); OF Colton McGehee (.254, 19 RBIs, 18 SB); P/SS Ross Goebel (2-1, 2.33 ERA, .301, 4 2B); 2B Chance Harryman (.287, 13 SB); P Corey Foerester (3-0, 3.89 ERA); P/3B Kolton Smith (2-1, 4 S, 1.56 ERA, 39 SO).

Goliad Tigers

Coach: A.J. Valdez.

Last Year’s Record: 4-22.

Last Playoff Appearance: 1999.

Returning Starters: C Matt Podschelne (.325); 2B Travis Heibner (.368); 3B Wade Sigur (.360); SS Billy Sippel (.240); OF Colton Hornstein (.240); OF Aaron Escobar (.375); OF Chris Carrera (.409).

Gonzales Apaches

Coach: Eric Winkenwerder.

Last Year’s Record: 14-12.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: C Curt LaFleur (.368, 5 RBIs); OF Ckody Burton (.286, 2 HR, 10 RBIs, 10 SB); P/INF Marshall Lambrecht (3-3, 31 SO, .338, 23 RBIs); P/1B/OF Cody Martinez (5-2, 52 SO, .357, 15 RBIs); OF Jacob Bird (.397, 15 RBIs, 5 SB); P/2B Landon Bozka (2-2, 29 SO, .400, 8 RBIs); C Greg Stefinsky (.206, 7 RBIs); OF Tim Decker (.360, 12 RBIs, 5 SB); SS Garrett Simper (.378, 4 3B, 5 2B, 19 RBIs).

Palacios Sharks

Coach: Sam Zimmerle.

Last Year’s Record: 13-11.

Last Playoff Apperance: 1989.

Returning Starters: P/C David Hunt; 2B Craig Wilson; 1B Kyle Hamlin; OF Russell Laws; SS David Sandoval; C Eric Rojas; 3B Will Hanson; OF Kenny Garcia.

Yoakum Bulldogs

Coach: Jace Wood.

Last Year’s Record: 20-7.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/1B Covey Morrow (8-1, 0.91 ERA, 69 IP, 110 SO, .317, 1 HR, 3 2B, 10 RBIs); OF J.R. Love (.264, 1 HR, 6 2B, 15 RBIs).

District 27-2A

Boling Bulldogs

Coach: Chad McGee.

Last Year’s Record: 13-11.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/C/INF Sean Hollis (2.00 ERA, .333, 20 RBIs); OF/P Trevor Archer (.416, 2 HR); 2B/SS/P Justin Hobbs (.290, 20 SB); 1B/C Tanner Thompson; 2B/SS Kris Henson; 3B/OF/P Jacob Copeland.

East Bernard Brahamas

Coach: Douglas Griger.

Last Year’s Record: 17-8.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: C Jacob Hudman.

District 28-2A

Edna Cowboys

Coach: Kensey Allen.

Last Year’s Record: 18-10.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: C Chris Whitehead (.401, 2 HR, 13 2B, 21 RBIs); P/3B Mike Vickery (.450, 1 HR, 22 RBIs); SS Ray Chavvaria (.440, 11 2B, 26 RBIs); DH Taylor Porche; OF Storm Stevens; OF Rocky Vaclavik; OF Rodney Hasdorff; 3B Jordan Quinn; UT Dustin Thompson.

Ganado Indians

Coach: Demi Williams.

Last Year’s Record: 4-19.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2004.

Hallettsville Brahmas

Coach: Calvin Cook.

Last Year’s Record: 17-9-1.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/INF Cameron Besetzny (.345, 4 2B, 10 RBIs); P/INF Jon DeLaRosa (3-3, 2 S, 3.14 ERA, 49 IP, 52 SO, .322, 2 2B, 14 RBIs); P/INF Colby Schindler (5-2, 1S, 3.14 ERA, 49 IP, 71 SO, .295, 3 3B, 3 2B, 17 RBIs); C Aaron Alvarez (.319, 7 2B, 24 RBIs); OF Tanner Carson (.242, 2 2B).

Rice Consolidated Raiders

Coach: Brent Tritschler.

Last Year’s Record: 4-21.

Last Playoff Appearance: None.

Returning Starters: C/P/3B Trent Popp (.304, 1 HR, 1-0, 2.21 ERA); SS/P (.255, 1-7, 4.72 ERA, 39 IP, 26 SO); OF/P Trey Staff (.281, 1-2, 25 IP, 15 SO).

Schulenburg Shorthorns

Coach: LaBaron Graham.

Last Year’s Record: 12-12.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2006.

Returning Starters: SS Clayton Besetzny (missed season with injury); OF/P Dylan Langhamer (.321, 1 HR, 17 SB); Eric Schrader (.317, 1 HR, 12 SB); P Marty Bigham (3-3, 3.71 ERA); 1B/P Cody Broun (1-1, 1.87 ERA, 7 SB); P Cody Vecera (1-1, 2.69 ERA); P Doran Proske (1-2).

Weimar Wildcats

Coach: Brad Harbers.

Last Year’s Record: 24-5.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: C Drew Quinney (.384, 1 HR, 27 RBIs); P Paul Edwards.

District 29-2A

Karnes City Badgers

Coach: Roland Salinas.

Last Year’s Record: 15-16.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: SS/P Drew Holland (.353); 1B/P Isaac Pacheco (.256); UT Jake Theis (.247); OF Andreas Coronado (.291); OF Chris Ramirez (.262).

Kenedy Lions

Coach: Edward Villarreal.

Last Year’s Record: 8-12.

Returning Starters: P/IF Aaron Alejos; C Ben Asebedo; P/IF Thomas Caballero; IF Joe Escandon; P/IF Bryan Alaniz; P/OF Edward Villarreal.

Nixon-Smiley Mustangs

Coach: Karl Saenz.

Last Year’s Record: 3-17.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2001.

Returning Starters: P Jose Alvarez (3-3, .264); OF Travis Roberson; SS/P Chester Casas; C Cody Box.

Yorktown Wildcats

Coach: Troy Holcomb.

Last Year’s Record: 10-13.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2006.

Returning Starters: Kevin Owen, C Trey Parma (.400, 1 HR, 14 RBIs, 11 SB), SS Kalvin Corpus (.382, 2 HR, 14 RBIs, 13 SB); Cody Schendel; Cody Robles; Cody Clayton; Cory Scholemer.

District 31-2A

Bloomington Bobcats

Coach: Rudy Rodriguez.

Last Year’s Record: 21-9.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/SS Philly Garcia (9-3, 79.1 IP, 102 SO, .406, 1 HR); P Arnulfo Garza (2-1, 29 SO, 27 IP); P/UT Ray Madrigal (.333, 2 HR, 2-1); OF Frank Kassner; 2B/SS Tim Cantu (.367); P/SS/CF Daylan Bubenik (.283).

Refugio Bobcats

Coach: Armando Huerta.

Last Year’s Record: 16-9.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2004.

Returning Starters: IF Matt Rocha (.446, 5 HR, 8 2B, 23 RBIs, 13 SB); P/IF Malcolm Whitmire; P/IF Ryan Deal; OF Sean Garcia; OF Zach Arredondo; IF Christian Espindola; C Jacob Garcia.

District 28-1A

Shiner Comanches

Coach: Daniel Boedeker.

Last Year’s Record: 27-4.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: P/OF Kyle Condel (16-2, 1.28 ERA, 109.1 IP, 170 SO, .427, 3 HR, 7 2B, 28 RBIs, 28 SB); 2B D.J. Pustka (.346, 1 3B, 6 2B); 1B Julian Longoria (.275, 9 2B); UT Ryan Lawrence (.296, 1 HR, 4 2B); UT Drew Hagens (.240); OF/SS Matthew Hibbs (.378); DH Dalton Handley (.302, 4 2B).

District 31-1A

Pettus Eagles

Coach: Anthony Ramirez.

Last Year’s Record: 16-5.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2007.

Returning Starters: Mauro Torres; Matt Yeoman; Alonzo Carreon; Aaron Escamilla; Mckinzie Torres.

Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com.