Hot out of the gate: Texas Stallions have early success in LSABA

BY Wesley Vohs, Special to Star Local News

The Texas Stallions are fighting for the top spot in the Lone Star Amateur Baseball Association.

In fact, they are merely one game out of first place with only Dallas Mustangs-Ross ahead of them.

Some of their success can be attributed to the team’s long history together.

“Most of the boys have played together as Stallions for two and a half years,” said Tony Valderrama, Stallions head coach. “Some have even been playing together since they were 6.”

The Stallions have a strong team chemistry helped by the fact their team is made up mostly of local players, including Hebron’s Christian Valderrama, David Pope, Will Marshall, Todd Wurzbach, Blake West, Jimmy Gallarda, Derek Hester, Ross Lowe, Jarrod Beggiani and Frisco Centennial’s Adan Ross, Tim Torres, Wesley Ahfeld and Jalen Tolefree.

One of several ways the team shows how close they are is through team chatter, led by Marshall, a starting pitcher.

“We like to keep the game loud and obnoxious,” Marshall said. “It’s never anything derogatory though. It’s typically the fun nicknames we come up with to make fun of ourselves.”

Team chatter exudes the relaxed mentality of coach Valderrama.

“The main idea is for the boys to have fun while playing,” he said. “We are more into playing as a team.”

Don’t be fooled into thinking this team is just out there to goof off though.

The Stallions have a 6-2 record thus far with one of those two losses coming from a game when they only fielded eight players. The Stallions are clearly playing to win and with the help of standouts Gallarda, Wurzbach and Valderrama, the coach’s son, they are doing just that.

Next year, Gallarda is taking his talents to California-based Biola University while Wurzbach and Valderrama are attending Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, respectively. Both plan to walk on to their university baseball team.

“Most guys look up to them,” coach Valderrama said. “They are young men who have good integrity and always try to motivate their teammates.”

The coach also had high praise for another of his players.

“Will Marshall is the smallest guy on the team, but he has the biggest heart,” he said. “He will give you the shirt off his back and still want to give you more. He has pitched us through several tournaments and has won us games. This kid is phenomenal.”

Marshall’s response only reinforced the team-first mentality the coach described.

“If there is anything I can do to help the team win, I will do it,” he said. “I’m willing to throw 190 pitches if I have to.”

Although nobody can guarantee they will be able to keep up the current level of success, there is no doubt the Texas Stallions will be having fun playing baseball and creating their ever-present chatter.