Ysleta High School

It was a picture-perfect weekend for playoff baseball in the Borderland, where the crack of the bat and the cheer of the crowd echoed across the West Texas desert like an old tune you never forget.

The ValleyBoys of Ysleta took the field in the Bi-District round against the San Elizario Eagles, and oh, what a tune they played.

Game One, Thursday afternoon:

Under the bright sun and wide West Texas skies, Evan Martinez was automatic with the bat—collecting three hits in as many at-bats. A single in the first. Another in the second. One more in the third. Each one as clean and crisp as the smell of cut grass on opening day.

The Indians wasted no time. Martinez’s first-inning single sparked the fire, bringing in the game’s opening run. And from there, the ValleyBoys poured it on like a summer rain. Five runs in the second, six more in the third. A double from Ismael Morales. A tag-up score by Ruben Jurado. Even a run batted in on a double play by Gavin Mata—the kind of baseball that makes you shake your head and smile.

By the time the dust had settled, the final score read 18 to 0. Pitcher Santiago Osorio tossed four commanding innings—one hit, no runs, five strikeouts. The Indians racked up 15 hits, stole multiple bases, and ran the bases like kids playing under streetlights.

Game Two, Friday at home—back at The Diamond on The Rez, where the fans packed the stands: teachers, classmates, families, all buzzing with pride and promise.

This time, it was Sanchez stepping into the spotlight, driving in four runs with one powerful hit. In the bottom of the first, Martinez doubled to score one. Rubio drew a walk. Angel Flores—with a game fit for highlight reels—knocked in two more.

It was baseball the way it ought to be played: aggressive, fearless, joyful. Sebastian Durán tagged up and scored in the second. Adrian Gamez brought in two more. By the third, the Indians were once again rolling—six runs on four hits, doubles flying off the bats of Martinez and Sanchez. Ruben Gerardo walked in a run for good measure.

Adry Botello, the starter, held the line on the mound: five hits, two runs, four strikeouts over five strong innings. And with that, the ValleyBoys notched their fourth Bi-District crown in a row, and their fifth in seven years under Coach Solis—a run of success you can only appreciate if you've walked the hard road to get there.

Now, the road winds east, toward Roswell, New Mexico, where the Indians will face Seminole at the historic New Mexico Military Institute. Spirits are high. Bats are hot. And Evan Martinez, smiling with the confidence of a man who knows what it takes, said it best:

“We feel good. We’ll step on the field like it’s any other team. We’re keeping our goal of 1-0 going.”

This year’s squad becomes the 24th team in school history to hoist a Bi-District title. The 2008 team remains the only one to claim an area championship. But now, these ValleyBoys have their eyes on joining that rare air.

And who knows—maybe, just maybe, the next chapter of this story ends with another gold glove hoisted high, dust on cleats, and one more victory under those proud desert skies.