RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team continued to gain valuable experience this summer as 11 Vaqueros sharpened their skills in collegiate wooden-bat leagues across the country, including infielders
Ethan Edinger,
Easton Moomau,
Austin Stracener, and
Thomas Williams, outfielders
Evan Janner and
Damien Whitfield, pitchers
Robert Bonilla,
Calvin Junek, and
Mark Zapata, and catchers
Chayton Fischer, and
Julius Ramirez.
Damien Whitfield
Returning to the Victoria Generals after leading them to a Texas Collegiate League (TCL) Championship last summer, Whitfield again made his mark with speed and athleticism. In 44 games, he stole 41 bases (89% success rate) while hitting .244 with 24 RBI, and 35 walks. One of his best games was on July 12 against Baton Rouge when he went 3-for-4 with a double, two walks, two steals, and two runs scored.
Chayton Fischer
The Iowa Central Community College transfer had an outstanding summer with the Badlands Big Sticks of the Northwoods League (NWL). In 20 games, he hit .324 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 15 walks, seven doubles, one triple, and 25 runs scored. Fischer had a day at the plate against the Mankato MoonDogs on June 17, hitting a grand slam and a two-run home run to finish with six RBI and three runs scored.
Easton Moomau
A 2025 All-Southland Conference First Team honoree, Moomau spent his summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League (CCL). In 30 games, he hit .288, with 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, 19 walks, three doubles, and three stolen bases. His breakout game came on June 7, when he went 4-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored, and a walk against the Conejo Oaks.
Thomas Williams
Williams, a 2025 All-Southland Conference Second Team and All-Defensive Team selection, played for the San Diego Bombers of the CCL. He hit .265 with seven RBI, four doubles, two triples, 14 walks, seven scored runs, and five stolen bases in 20 games. His best performance came on June 17 vs. the Academy Barons, when he went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two walks, and two runs scored.
Evan Janner
In 33 games with the Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), Janner rebounded from a slow start to finish at .250 with 24 RBI, three doubles, four home runs, 21 walks, 31 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. He showcased his power with two multi-home run games.
Robert Bonilla
Bonilla also played for the Saskatoon Berries, striking out 20 in 23.2 innings while posting two wins and a 3.42 ERA.
Austin Stracener
Back in action after missing the 2025 spring season due to injury, Stracener played for the Seguin River Monsters of the TCL. In 31 games, he hit .270 with two doubles, 11 RBI, 30 walks, 17 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. His best game came on June 7 vs. Brazos Valley, when he went 2-for-4 with a double, four RBI, and a stolen base.
Ethan Edinger
The Louisville transfer played for the La Crosse Loggers of the NWL. In 51 games, he hit .242 with 26 RBI, 41 runs scored, 37 walks, 15 stolen bases, and six doubles. His top performance came on June 5 vs. Duluth, when he went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a walk.
Calvin Junek
A transfer from Coastal Carolina, Junek pitched for the Delray Beach Lightning of the South Florida Collegiate League (SFCL). In 23 innings, he struck out 25, highlighted by a June 30 outing against Coconut Creek in which he fanned six over 4.1 innings.
Julius Ramirez
Catching for the Brazos Valley Bombers of the TCL, Ramirez appeared in 14 games, hitting two home runs, with seven RBI, eight runs scored, and 10 walks.
Mark Zapata
A transfer from Alvin Community College, Zapata pitched for the Seguin River Monsters of the TCL, recording seven strikeouts across 7.0 innings.
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