2013-07

Akins Eagles Baseball 2013

Eagles in Action

Select a 2013 Akins Eagles Varsity-Alumni game page: A B C D E

Photos of the 2013 Akins Baseball Teams from practices and games

This is PAGE 7

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Akins High School was founded in 2000. The school had no Varsity baseball program for its first couple of years, but since 2002, scores of young men have played Varsity baseball for the Eagles. Some have gone on to play at the college level or in international leagues. Many have started careers and families. A few have younger brothers on a current Eagles squad. Each former player is an important part of the rapidly expanding Eagles legacy.

The Alumni Game pits the current Eagles Varsity team against some of those who have gone before them. Akins didn't invent the concept of an alumni game, of course, but under Head Coach Steve Velasquez, the Akins Baseball program has worked hard to incorporate such a contest as a regular part of its early season training. More than once, however, an Eagles Alumni game has fallen victim to brutal scheduling or fickle Texas weather. Each time the game takes place, it's a special event.

In its earlier years, the young Akins program hadn't yet created a large enough pool of graduates from which a full alumni team could be recruited. Volunteers from local recreational leagues were allowed to "fill in." But in 2013, each member of the Alumni team is a bona fide Eagle veteran.

It's natural that Eagles should return to an Akins Baseball program that still means so much to them. But it's not just curiosity or an attempt to revisit past glories. These guys are competitive, and they mean to deliver a serious test to those currently wearing Old Gold and Navy Blue! The 2013 Alumni team includes players from the first Akins team to win a 5A district game and the first Akins team to advance to postseason playoffs. It includes a couple of past Eagle MVPs [1] [2], a 2-time all-district selection [1] [2 ], a couple of offensive players of the year [1] [2], a most improved player, and two Eagle Pride Award recipients [1] [ 2].

And another thing: the oldest former Akins Varsity player is still a twenty-something. Don't call these guys "Old Timers!"

The current Eagles Varsity squad has something to prove, too, but the very best Varsity players understand that they can learn much from those who have been here before. After all, those guys came back to play at Akins Field because they're all loyal Eagles. Well, that and the Booster's free taco plates.

The Alumni Game is a scrimmage, a game played within the family. It doesn't have to count anywhere but here.

Eagles Players and Parents: If you have Eagles shots of your own you'd like to see included, let the Webmaster borrow the print, or email attached high resolution standard format scans or digital image files to: webmaster@akinsbaseball.org

Eagles Alumni
v.
Eagles Varsity
Scrimmage at Akins Field
February 16, 2013

Click on a thumbnail picture for a larger image.

TOP ROW (L to R) Daniel Leal ('06), Tony Vega ('11), Justin Pecchia ('11), Charles Morton ('05), Chris Cullen ('10).

BOTTOM ROW (L to R) Brandon Rivera ('08),
Leo Candelas ('09), Bryant Alvarez ('08), Matt Cavazos ('08), Keith Rodriguez ('09).

NOT PICTURED Diego Garcia ('11).

AKINS EAGLES ALUMNI

Daniel Leal ('06) pregame.

Coach Steve Riojas throws pregame BP.

Keith Rodriguez ('09) pregame.

Justin Pecchia ('11) takes pregame BP, while Tony Vega ('11) and Chris Cullen ('10) await their turns.

HA! Coach Riojas sends a twisty one to Charles Morton ('05) in pregame BP.

Eagle fans Heidi and Wayne Pecchia in the bleachers

Bryant Alvarez ('08) takes batting practice.

Chris Cullen ('10) pregame.

Tony Vega ('11) pregame.

Suddenly, as Varsity team manager (and Akins cheerleader) Kaitlyn Cortez walks by before the game, all the Alumni try to pretend they're not looking in her direction

Brandon Rivera ('08) pregame.

Eagle fans.

Alumni leadoff batter Chris Cullen ('10) gets a base hit and will score.

Eagles Head Coach Steve Velasquez and the Varsity team, just before the start of the game.

Varsity starting pitcher Ty Snyder.

Alumni cleanup hitter Charles Morton ('05) comes to the plate with bases loaded.

With Cullen ('10) having scored a run, Morton ('05) on 1st, Cavazos ('08) on 2nd and Rivera ('08) on 3rd, Alumni batter Justin Pecchia ('11) lets a low pitch go past him for Varsity catcher Sam Davilla to scoop up.

Snyder's pitch never reaches the glove of Varsity catcher Sam Davilla. Brandon Rivera ('08) slaps a 1st inning single.

Matt Cavazos ('08) had an on-base average of 46% as a Varsity Eagle. Here, he's on base again.

To the dismay of Snyder, Rodriguez ('09) is given a base on balls, scoring Cavazos ('08). Morton ('05) (above) trots to 3rd and Pecchia ('11) goes to 2nd. In the top of the 1st, the score is Alums 3, Varsity 0.

With Morton ('05) on 3rd and Varsity catcher Sam Davilla walking to the mound to greet the relief pitcher, Ty Snyder's day on the mound is done.

Keith Rodriguez ('09) steps to the plate in the top of the 1st. On deck is Bryant Alvarez ('08). At the dugout doorway are Brandon Rivera ('08), who has just scored, and Daniel Leal ('06).

With Justin Pecchia ('11) on 1st in the 1st inning, the Alumni runners advance and Rivera ('08) scores. Coach Velasquez makes a visit to the mound, where he talks with (L to R) catcher Sam Davilla, 3rd baseman Ryan Medrano, pitcher Ty Snyder, shortstop Austin McNicholas, 1st baseman Steve Martinez and 2nd baseman Rene Castro.

Akins Senior RC Medrano pitches in relief for the Varsity in the top of the 1st.

Diego Garcia ('11) bats for the Alumni in the top of the 1st.

Bryant Alvarez ('08) bats in the top of the 1st inning.

Varsity 3rd baseman Ryan Medrano.

Varsity 1st baseman Steve Martinez.

Charles Morton ('05) scores on a 1st inning passed ball. 4-0 Alums.

Tony Vega ('11) bats for the Alumni in the top of the 1st.

Alumni batter Daniel Leal ('06) at the plate in the 1st.

Alumni shortstop Matt Cavazos ('08).

Alumni 1st baseman Keith Rodriguez ('09), and pitcher Charles Morton ('05). Varsity Coach Steve Riojas.

With Rene Castro on deck for the Varsity, leadoff batter Austin McNicholas comes to the plate in the bottom of the 1st. The Alumni catcher is Daniel Leal ('06).

Alumni outfielder Chris Cullen ('10).

Eagle Alumni outfielder Bryant Alvarez ('08) in the bottom of the 1st inning.

Alumni outfielder Tony Vega (11).

Varsity designated hitter Andrew Montague.

Rene Castro reached 1st on an infield base hit and takes an aggressive lead as Morton ('05) works from the stretch.

With one out and Castro on 1st, Ryan Medrano squares to bunt in the 1st inning.

Alumni 3rd baseman Brandon Rivera ('08) in the bottom of the 1st.

Alumni 2nd baseman Justin Pecchia ('11).

Alumni 1st baseman Keith Rodriguez ('09).

For more of the 2013 Akins Varsity-Alumni Game...

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Eagle fans.

Castro is on 3rd, Montague is on 1st, held by Rodriguez ('09) and watched by Coach Riojas. Morton ('05) prepares to deliver a pitch.

Varsity batter Steve Martinez goes down swinging for the 3rd out in the bottom of the 1st. The ball is in the glove of Alumni catcher Daniel Leal ('06), and the score remains Alumni 4, Varsity 0.