Hill College lands three student-athletes on postseason accolades list
Despite a heroic effort to earn the conference’s final regional berth, Hill College’s baseball team still landed three student-athletes on the postseason accolade lists – as well as several others moving on to other institutions to further their baseball career.
Sophomore outfielder Cristian Garcia (Cinco Ranch, Katy) was named on the All-Region 5 North team as well as on the First Team All-Conference. Sophomore second baseman and designated hitter Cade Sanchez (Jersey Village, Houston) also received All-Region 5 North honors and was placed on the First Team All-Conference. Teammate Eric Garcia, sophomore third baseman from Grand Prairie, was named to the Second Team All-Conference.
Hill College narrowly missed a Regional baseball playoff appearance by losing an extra-inning thriller, 3-2, against McLennan Community College in its final game of the season.
The season-ending loss left Hill College (with an overall record of 28-24) on the outside looking in after finishing fifth place in the conference behind Weatherford College, Temple College, MCC, and Cisco College (Grayson College was ineligible for postseason play due to an earlier NJCAA violation).
“We actually ended up in a three-way tie for the final Region 5 tournament spot,” Hill College Head Baseball Coach Chris Rateike said. “This was the first time this has ever happened.”
Rateike said he has numerous student-athletes who will continue their baseball careers at other institutions – with that list increasing every day.
Current list of Hill College student-athletes who will continue their baseball careers at other institutions:
- Eric Garcia - Texas A&M-Kingsville (Second Team All-Conference)
- Cristian Garcia - Western Kentucky University (First Team All-Conference and All-Region 5)
- Jagger Schattle - University of Central Arkansas
- Tait Joynt - University of Central Arkansas
- Cade Sanchez - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (First Team All-Conference and All-Region 5)
- Diego Villescas - University of New Orleans
- Jelle Van Der Lelie - Arkansas State University
- Isaias Espiritusanto - University of Texas-Permian Basin
- Zack Peters - Missouri Baptist College
