With district starting, varsity baseball has set new goals for a more successful season.

The team placed 3rd in both the Southwest University tournament and the Arizona tournament; which included wins against Santa Teresa and Austin.They are now focused on reaching playoffs.

Head Coach Mike Beltran said, “We’re in district right now, and we want to make it to playoffs and see how far we can go. We are building growth in the program and we want to keep interest in the younger players.”

The team is also focusing on ways to meet their goal and have as much success as possible.

“Big injuries affect us, so we’re trying to stay healthy,” Beltran said. “Another thing we’re focusing on is eligibility. There’s no weak team in our bracket, and everyone can beat anyone at any given time.”

The players have also been working to accomplish their individual goals.

Third baseman Damian Rodriguez said, “We practice hard and give it our best everyday.”

Left fielder Isaiah Acosta agrees with his teammate and said, “The team motivates me to be better and I push them to improve as well.”

Coach Beltran believes that this team has shown a difference from the past years he’s coached.

“Without question, I have seen improvement,” Beltran said. “This is a more determined bunch, a more focused bunch. Last year the team had talent, but this year they have both the talent and the drive.”

He also notices a difference in the team’s success so far.

Beltran said, “We’ve done well at tournaments and shown our depth and willingness to fight back from deficits. They adjust in every situation and they never give up.”

This success has proven that their practice methods have made a difference in the way they play.

Acosta said, “We work really hard in practice. We focus and find our flaws and we work on them until they’re fixed.”

Coming off a win against the Ysleta Indians this past Tuesday, Acosta also said, “I feel like this is the team that’ll change everything about this program.”

Beltran knows that his team’s achievements are not only made because of their skills,  but also because of the bond the players share.

“The team has a cohesiveness,” Beltran said. “They care for and treat each other like brothers.”

Rodriguez agrees with his coach.

He said, “We all get along with each other and in the end, that’s why we push each other so hard. The fact that we are comfortable with each other makes playing the game that much easier.”

Currently, the team holds a record of 7 wins and 7 losses.

By Amber Gentry