Wolves honored

Championship seasons don’t go unnoticed by All-Star voters. And this year was no exception.

When the votes were in for the 3A All-State baseball team, seven players from Texico’s 27-2 state championship squad had been selected. Among that seven were four first-teamers, a second-teamer and two honorable mentions.

And, icing the cake were the selections of Texico shortstop/pitcher Dalton Thatcher as Player of the Year and the Wolverines’ Ty Thatcher as Coach of the Year.

Pretty good haul.

“I was impressed with the number of kids (selected),” Ty Thatcher said. “I think they were well-deserved honors. We were represented very well across the state in a lot of different positions. That’s always nice to see. Some of our underclassmen were recognized as well as some of our departing seniors.”

Texico’s first-team selections were: pitcher Ben Crist, first baseman Nathan Phipps, shortstop Dalton Thatcher and third baseman Cole Rohrbach.

Outfielder Brayden Wines was picked for the second team, with pitcher Luke Phipps and catcher Brock Thompson getting honorable mentions at their respective positions.

“It’s a difficult thing when you teach your players to be humble and they get honors,” Ty Thatcher said, “because the greatest honor is to be on that championship team with your peers and your friends, hopefully lifelong friends. But it is nice for them to be recognized.”

Rounding out the 3A first team were: pitchers Mason Caperton (Eunice) and Zack Abieta (Estancia); second baseman Cruz Moreno (Estancia); catcher Caleb Hightower (Capitan); outfielders Erik Lopez (Santa Rosa), Sergio Ramirez (Dexter) and Josh Walker (Tucumcari); and utility player Juan Sosa (Eunice).

Also on the second team were: pitchers Kevin Martinez (Santa Rosa), Price Bowen (Capitan) and Matt Otero (Dexter); first baseman Brendan Ussery (Capitan); second baseman David Miramontes (Dexter); shortstop John Rogers (Capitan); third baseman Darren Chavez (Santa Rosa); catcher Josh Thomas (Estancia); outfielders Cole Medina (Raton) and Fernando Polanco (Dexter); and utility player Price Bowen (Capitan).

The other honorable mentions were: pitchers Kevin Martinez (Loving) and Cruz Moreno (Estancia); first baseman Jayden Romero (Raton); second baseman Raymond Hershey (Laguna Acoma); shortstop Kevin Martinez (Loving); third baseman Frankie Solis (Eunice); outfielders Gabe Martinez (Raton), Mike Valencia (Pecos) and Cameron Santa Cruz (Eunice); and utility player Logan Gaskins (Eunice).

Ty Thatcher was thankful for his Coach of the Year win, though not too surprised.

“I feel like it’s a great honor,” he said. “I do realize that a majority of the time they do give that to the coach that wins (a state title). I guess it kind of goes along with the success of the boys, of the team in general. But definitely appreciated.”

Dalton Thatcher won his Player of the Year award for a season that included tossing a 5-0 shutout against Estancia in the 3A state title game on May 11 at Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park. It was Texico’s third consecutive state crown.

“Ben Crist was Player of the Year for us last year,” Ty Thatcher said. “Dalton coming in and getting it for us this year showed that he had an outstanding season and peformed really well throughout the course of it. He pitched well in that final game. It gave coaches that were voting the nod that he was good on the mound as well as in the field.”

“I had a pretty good season, I felt like — statistically, at least,” Dalton Thatcher said. “I knew I had a chance there. I was surprised a little bit.”

Surprised, but honored.

“You know, it’s pretty cool to be named that,” he said. “Definitely happy, all the work that’s paid off to get that honor. But you’ve still got to work hard to become better.”

Come one, come all

Monday night, 27 players from across the region were at Texico Field to play competitive summer baseball.

Ty Thatcher said there were none from Portales this time, though some Rams are expected next Monday. This past Monday’s attendance did include players from Clovis, Tucumcari, even Muleshoe and Dimmit from across the border.

“It was nice to see some of the area players show up and play free baseball,” Ty Thatcher said. “That was refreshing to see. It was good to see those kids getting out and working on their game skills.”