Posted: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 08:55 PM - 7,005 Readers

By: Javier Becerra

Even those with only a limited knowledge of Texas high school baseball might know at least a little about Calallen and Moody.

Since 1993, the two powerhouses have represented Region IV at the state baseball tournament all but one year. They have combined to make 21 final four appearances, winning five championships in the process, three by the Wildcats and two by the Trojans.

Most fans in South Texas expected Calallen and Moody to meet in the regional final, but the matchup didn’t materialize after Lake Travis upset the Trojans in three games last week. Now it’s up to the Wildcats to continue the tradition.

Calallen (35-3 overall) and the Cavaliers (28-16) face off in a best-of-3 series at San Antonio’s Blossom Athletic Center for the Region IV-4A title. The showdown begins Friday night and picks up Saturday afternoon, with the winner earning a spot in the state tournament next week at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

The third-ranked Wildcats certainly don’t want to let the area down.

“It’s very important that somebody from here represents our region at the state tournament,” longtime Calallen coach Steve Chapman said. “I don’t know what the exact count is, but this area right here has been represented more than any other part of the state from what I know. We’ve been there 10 times. Like before it’s just a matter of us playing to the best of our abilities.”

Calallen first advanced to state in 1993, the year several of the current Wildcats were born. The team went back four times before finally winning the school’s first championship in 2000, the first of three for the program.

Always a contender to play for the title, Calallen won again in 2005 and 2008. Now that the Wildcats have the opportunity to bring home a fourth crown, ace pitcher and outfielder Rob Zastryzny doesn’t want to end his senior season any other way.

“I didn’t know the history about us and Moody at state,” Zastryzny said. “All I know is that we work hard every year to reach our goal. That’s not just to go to state, but to win it. I’m going to do everything I can to fulfill that goal.”

Considering the circumstances, junior leadoff hitter and infielder Brett Bell thinks the chances are good.

“I think it says that we have a pretty good region if our teams have been to state that many times,” Bell said. “We’ve already played some pretty hard teams. That makes it easier the closer you get there.”