Home-grown talent 

The UTRGV Baseball Team started off its season with a 2-1 series win against the University of Rhode Island.

The series started off with a loss but the Vaqueros shook off the “jitters” and brought in two victories, winning the Feb. 18 and 19 games at the UTRGV Baseball Stadium on the Edinburg campus.

Redshirt junior infielder Isaac Lopez said the first game gave the team a learning curve and allowed them to adjust and win the rest.

“We kind of got used to seeing breakers after breakers,” Lopez said. “… Our hitters adjusted really well and our pitching staff was lights out all weekend.”

He has been with the program since the 2021 season, earning Western Athletic Conference All-Defensive Team honors during his redshirt freshman and sophomore years.

Lopez attended Robert Vela High School in Edinburg. He said it feels great to be playing Division 1 at UTRGV.

“When this used to be [the Edinburg] Roadrunners … I would come to all the games,” Lopez said. “I was just like the little kids that would come running around for foul balls. It’s awesome. It’s cool to be, like, in the other side of the story. … It’s nice to show what team we have and put on a show for the community. I’m grateful for it, for sure.”

He said the team tries to make each other better.

“Since I’ve been here, this team has probably been, like, the most, like, well connected and we’re very even-keeled,” Lopez said. “… Whenever we come to the field, we’re very open with our communication. … If someone has suggestions, we’re pretty good about dishing out knowledge to our other teammates.” 

He credits the coaching for creating a player-oriented environment with open communication.

“Our coaches are awesome and we appreciate them so much,” Lopez said.

Head coach Derek Matlock said Lopez has developed a lot since he started with the program. 

“He’s so much bigger and stronger now,” Matlock said. “… A lot of people didn’t think he was going to be an offensive player. … Everybody in the country that recruited him knew he was going to be a great defender. … What he did is, he shocked everybody and he became a great offensive player. … It happened due to his ability to work hard in the cages everyday, hitting everyday and getting stronger, more physical.”

The coach said Lopez looked like a professional hitter during the Rhode Island games.

“He’s unbelievable,” Matlock said. “He’s a pro hitter. He showed the ability to recognize pitches that are right out of the strike zone and didn’t swing. … He’s a lot more still. There’s not as much movement going on in his swing. … Those are things he’s just grown into, which are all signs of a pro hitter.”

Senior infielder Kade York said Lopez always tries supporting the team and uplifting everyone.

“He’s always just trying to better everyone around him,” York said. “When he does that, he gets better, we all get better and it’s just easier to play knowing somebody is going to have your back all the time.”

He said the first series was fun, even with a loss during the first game.

“Once the jitters got out, everyone got subbed in,” York said. “It was our first time playing all together.”

He said the ultimate goal was to win as much as possible.

Matlock said the team will not strive for less than winning the WAC Championship and going to the National Collegiate Athletics Association Regionals.

“We’re all trying to win a championship, that’s what we’re here to do,” he said. “If we can shoot for that, then that’s the expectation and that’s the work ethic. That’s the process of what we put in front of the kids.”