Hometown stars

UTRGV baseball sophomore first baseman Jacob Sanchez, of San Juan, and redshirt freshman shortstop Isaac Lopez, of Edinburg, have become regulars on the starting lineup, but their impact goes beyond what happens on the field. 

This season, for UTRGV (21-15, 7-8), Pharr San Juan Alamo High School alum Sanchez has tallied four home runs, 24 RBIs, 38 hits, fourth best on the team, and a .339 batting average, the third best on the team. 

“I’m having a great start,” he said. “I’m having a very consistent way of playing. … I’m trying to do my best and do whatever I can to help out the team.” 

Sanchez said the difference from his first season is his consistency of “staying locked in at all times” and going out with more confidence. 

Robert Vela High School alum Lopez has garnered one home run, eight RBIs, 16 hits and a batting average of .271.

Lopez said he attributes his development to having good teammates and coaches around him.

“The guy I am today was definitely not the kid who showed up in August of last year,” he said. 

Lopez said one of the best parts of playing for UTRGV is the home game experience. From having fans, family and friends come out to the games, representing the Valley and being looked up to by kids, Lopez said it is a blessing to be in his position. 

“[When I go up to bat], I like having the [words] ‘Edinburg, Texas,’ up on the scoreboard to show everybody there that kids from the [Rio Grande] Valley can do whatever they put their mind to,” he said. 

At almost every home game, you can find Lopez’s family, each with their own customized fan shirts, cheering him on. 

“Yeah, they like to make their own fan shirts and stuff but sometimes I tell them, like, nothing too drastic,  to keep it simple,” Lopez said with a laugh. “They’re here to support the team, too, not just me, but I’m so thankful for their support.” 

Sanchez said he is fortunate to play at UTRGV with his “huge” family and friends coming to most home games. 

“Representing the Valley and PSJA is a great feeling,” he said. “Just giving hope to all the kids around the Valley that anything’s possible and I’m just trying to be great for them and trying to be a big role model for all the young kids.” 

From having kids know his name and ask for autographs, to parents coming up to Sanchez and telling him how proud they are of him, he said it is an amazing feeling. 

The most memorable fan Sanchez has encountered is a child who has watched his entire high school and collegiate baseball career. From his freshman year at PSJA High School to this day, he said the kid has gone to most of his games and is now following in his footsteps and playing baseball in middle school. 

Lopez said it is awesome to see all the support from the community around the team. 

“I’ve had older people just come up to me and tell me congratulations on having a good season so far, and just to keep going because they believe in me,” he said. 

Another example Lopez said is how the students at the elementary school, where his mother is the principal, will ask her how he and the team are doing. 

“Sometimes, they can’t make it to the games, but they just like keeping up with how we’re doing and it’s awesome,” Lopez said. “And then, especially when they come out to the games, and you give them balls, they come out here at the end of the game, and we sign the baseballs.” 

One young fan of the team that Lopez notices at games is Derek. He said Derek even comes to the game by himself with his parents dropping him off because he loves the game and is always trying to catch foul balls. 

“He sits by himself over there on the left-field line,” Lopez said. “And I see him and I just, every time I see kids like that, I just appreciate the game more and appreciate my position more because it’s a blessing for me to be here.”