RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The UTRGV baseball team is set to open its first season in the Southland Conference, but the goal remains the same.
 
"The expectation here is to win titles," head coach Derek Matlock said. "There's no way around it. We're not going to shy away from it. We're here to win a championship in the Southland Conference and to do that, we've got to control what we can control. I believe that if our players play up to their ability, it'll take care of itself."
 
The Vaqueros are certainly positioned well, entering the season with a league-high six preseason all-conference picks, including starting pitcher Angelo Cabral, catcher Steven Lancia, graduate student shortstop Isaac Lopez, sophomore third baseman Easton Moomau, sophomore designated hitter Armani Raygoza, and fifth-year first baseman Martin Vazquez.
 
"I think it's great," Moomau said. "We have six guys on the second team, which is pretty good. I think we're all excited to get back into it and start on February 14. We're excited to compete to win a championship. I think we all have the same goal in mind. We're just trying to do we can every day to be the best."
 
Last season, UTRGV would have ranked third in the Southland in hitting (.286), fourth in earned run average (5.67), and second in fielding percentage (.975). The pitching prowess is despite Cabral making just one start due to injury. While the Vaqueros are feeling good about their returners, the newcomers have created impressive depth while adding a new dimension to the team.
 
"It's a fast team with a lot of energy and a lot of talent," Lancia said. "I think on both sides of the ball we have some new guys that are really going to be key impact players."
 
Among the newcomers expected to contribute right away are junior outfielder Damien Whitfield, who stole 39 bases while hitting .333 with 49 walks and 56 runs scored at Cisco College last season, junior second baseman Thomas Williams, who hit .349 with 35 RBI and 42 runs scored at Santa Ana College, and junior left-handed pitcher Víctor Loa, who has earned the Saturday starting spot after missing last season due to injury. At Blinn College in 2023, Loa struck out 45 in 32.0 innings across 10 games.
 
"I think there's some proven guys that have done it at a high level with Cabral, Lancia, and Lopez, being all-conference guys," Matlock said. "So, you got some guys in there that have done something at a high level in the WAC, and then you bring in some new guys that you think of as just as talented, and it makes it pretty exciting. Williams' defense is outstanding. Whitfield has lightning speed. Víctor won the Saturday spot. We think they have a chance to be outstanding."
 
UTRGV opens the season with a 3-game series against Southern Illinois on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. at UTRGV Baseball Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at UTRGVTickets.com.

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