The EPCC Tejanos baseball team kicks off their season on Feb. 2 against Scottsdale Community College at 12 p.m. at Valle Verde.
“The team is ready to play against their opponent,” said Shannon Hunt, Tejanos baseball coach.“It takes everyone in the team to win.”
The Tejanos have been practicing since Aug. 7.
“First, we make playoffs a successful season, graduate the kids and send them to the next level. Second, is to keep the guys in school. That’s a successful season,” said Hunt. 
There are a few changes this season from the last, says Hunt.
“We’re better and smarter,” he said. “We got better pitching.”
Also, 19 out of the 25 players are freshmen and all will have significant time on the field, said Hunt.
“They have just a good of chance [of winning the championship] as anyone else. They
are
the ones that
have to
win,” he said.
With concentration and determination, the team will have a shot, he added.
“I’m really pleased with this team. If they stay focused, they have a chance. Many of the players raised their GPA to 2.8.”
Daniel Gonzalez, shortstop, graduated from Las Cruces High School in 2006 and currently is sporting an impressive 3.5 GPA.
“I can’t wait to start. We’re counting down the days, and everybody is excited,” Gonzalez said.
“We seem like we have a good team this year, and it seems that we’re going far this year,” he added.
Brendon Osborn, a first base sophomore, has been playing for two years.
“Since we got off in December, I’ve been wanting to play,” said Osborn.
Gilbert Saenz, second baseman, graduated from Americas High School in 2006.
“Expectations are high, and we can’t wait for it to start,” Saenz said.
“We have a pretty good team compared to teams that we had in the past.”
This year’s team is naturally gifted and promising, according to Hunt. “This is the best junior college baseball team I’ve been with in the last 16 years, talent-wise,” he said.
