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A pitcher can have a tough enough time pitching nine innings in one game, but for Broncs senior Guadalupe Barrera, nine wasn't enough.
 
On May 5, 2012, the Broncs and NJIT Highlanders were tied at 3-3 in the eighth inning of the second game of the doubleheader. Barrera was the first man out of the bullpen all day for the Broncs. It turned out he was the last as well.
 
Barrera lasted 10.2 innings, throwing 157 pitches in an eventual 4-3 18-inning loss. At the end of the game, Barrera knew that his journey through baseball was worth it.
 
“That game in New Jersey meant a lot for me,” Barrera said. “I was down in the mental aspect of whether baseball or pitching was for me. Getting that game when I threw ten plus innings really helped me decide that it was for me.”
 
In The Beginning
The journey started as a little boy when he got a plastic glove and ball as a gift. That led to an urge to play baseball.
 
“Both my parents were very supportive,” Barrera said. “My dad was the one who would take me out at three-years-old and roll me ground balls. He saw that I liked to do it and I would tell him let's go out and play catch. So, he decided to put me on a team and from there it has been non-stop support from my family in general.”
 
Along with his dad, Barrera had some influential people who guided him through his early baseball career.
 
“I have had several,” Barrera said. “Harold Allen, who played in the Houston Astros organization, came down to the Valley when I was nine. He was the one who first thought that I could make it past a certain level. From there, I met Pedro Borbon. I went to him for a few tips early on when I first thought about pitching. Then, Alejandro Guajardo really helped a lot.”
 
Switching Positions
Guajardo played at UTPA from 2004-07 and he was an influential part in Barrera's transition from a fielder to a pitcher.
 
“He helped increase my velocity,” Barrera said. “He helped me out with the mental part of pitching. He was an assistant coach my senior year at La Joya High School. He had a lot to do with my pitching and helped me gain interest from Pan Am.”
 
Barrera played first base and was a utility player throughout his high school career. It was in his sophomore year that he had the idea of being a pitcher, but he continued to play all over the field.
 
“I was primarily a first baseman, but I was the utility player,” Barrera said. “I played second and third base. I always wanted to play shortstop but the shortstop we had was pretty good and coach never let me play there.”
 
Barrera's time on the mound his senior season was limited, but that didn't stop him from wanting to pitch.
 
“I pitched in two or three games my senior year,” Barrera said. “Pitching is a little easier than hitting and fielding in general. I like the fact knowing you can throw hard and get right after hitters. Getting strikeouts made me want it more and made me decide I want to pitch.”
 
Next Level
After being named First Team All-District as a utility-man and as a first baseman, Barrera was ready to make the jump to the next level.
 
“UTPA was the first Division I school to contact me,” Barrera said. “I was headed out to tryout at a junior college in northeast Texas where I was going to play the infield and pitch for them, but the week that I was supposed to head over there I had a bullpen session for Pan Am and they decided to sign me then.”
 
Many people believe that athletes from the Rio Grande Valley have trouble when making the jump from high school to college athletics. The La Joya High School product, wanted to come out and prove those people wrong.
 
“I believe there were more expectations from myself knowing that a lot of people don't expect much from local players,” Barrera said. “An ex-teammate, Angel Ibanez, and current teammate, Luis Flores, and I have shared a lot of experiences together growing up. We got here that first year and we said we wanted to come out here and try to prove something. Of course, for ourselves, the community and for those that doubt Valley players.”
 
Barrera got his career off to a good start with six saves in 2010, which was the fourth most in a single season in program history. He has been solid and reliable for the Broncs with 64 career appearances heading into the final month of the season.
 
Lessons Learned
When Barrera arrived at UTPA, he was 18 years old and just out of high school. Four years later, he can honestly say that he has grown.
 
“Being on this team has helped a lot,” Barrera said. “I think if the day were to come when baseball is over, I think I would be set for the future interview to have that future job. It has been humbling. I know I have had my moments, but the coaching staff never let up. They always tried to make us better people in general.”
 
With his final collegiate baseball season headed down the stretch, Barrera plans to continue his playing career even if he has to take alternate routes.
 
“I definitely plan on trying to make it professionally,” Barrera explained. “My chances in the draft are not high, but I am hoping to maybe get a tryout of some sort and get picked up as a free agent. If that doesn't work out, maybe I'll try independent ball somewhere. If it doesn't work out here in the states, then if I have to, I will try and pursue a career in Mexico as long as I can pitch and my arm is healthy. ”
 
Not every athlete gets a chance to play college baseball or an opportunity to pursue that life long dream, but Barrera is grateful for his chance and for the things he can take away from his experience at UTPA.
 
“I am very grateful,” Barrera said. “I am going to take the memories, the friendships that I have made and the respect that I have learned to have for people in general.”