Falfurrias is back in the regional finals, here's how they did it Saturday

Falfurrias baseball has relied heavily on timely hitting, good pitching and fundamentally-sound baseball during its memorable playoff run in 2024.

Those same qualities were on full display Saturday afternoon after the Jerseys erupted for five runs in the first inning and limited damage late to secure a 9-4 win against Vanderbilt Industrial in a one-game regional semifinal playoff at the Cabaniss Baseball Field.

The victory not only punched Falfurrias' ticket to the Region IV-3A final for the first time since 2007, it also kept the team unbeaten in the postseason.

The Cobras, who finished third in a competitive District 25-3A, suffered their first loss of the UIL playoffs.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the season that we knew if we could get into the playoffs, we could make a run," Falfurrias coach Gus Esquivel said. "We started believing and everything started clicking.

"We knew it was going to be a hot day today but we weren't going to let the heat beat us. We came out with the right energy and we sustained it."

Coming out hot

Both teams came out swinging with the Jerseys scoring five runs in the first inning and the Cobras adding three in the bottom half.

Falfurrias pulled away with two more runs in the second to back starting pitcher Nathaniel Jaramillo, who settled down to finish with four strikeouts in four innings of work.

Derek Chavera led Falfurrias by finishing 3 for 3 with three RBIs and reached base four times. Chavera also pitched the final three innings to help secure the win.

The Cobras recorded seven hits with Sam Kurtz leading the way with a 3 for 3 performance and two RBIs.

Industrial threatened in the seventh by scoring their final run and leaving two stranded.

"I don't really try to do anything special," Chavera said. "I just try to help my team as much as I can if they need me to throw or play wherever, I just try to be ready. I had a good day today and thank God."

Riding the momentum

The Jerseys (24-5-1) increased their winning streak to 12 games with seven players recording at least one hit against the Cobras. Marky Gonzalez, Ben Benavides, Andre Cisneros, RJ Ozuna, Chavera and Jaramillo all recorded key run-producing hits.

Saturday marked the Jerseys' third trip to the regional semifinals since 2017 when former legendary coach David Salinas led the program to the fourth round in 2017 and 2018.

Falfurrias will look to keep the momentum going when it faces the winner of the London-Columbus series in the Region IV-3A final.

"It feels good and it's exciting," Jaramillo said. "We have to keep on playing so we can go even further. As a starting pitcher when a team gets you an early lead so you can stay composed on the mound."

More: How Calallen baseball's 'energy' and 'heart' is fueling another deep playoff run

More: London, Calallen start strong: Recap of high school baseball playoff regional semifinals

Looking ahead

The Cobras took a step forward in 2024 after advancing one round further than they did last season.

The Jerseys now face District 30-3A rival London, which is coming off a two-game sweep against Columbus.

"We have a 24-hour rule to enjoy the win for 24 hours and then it's back to work," Chavera said. "As soon as we get back to school Monday, it's back to work and back to the grind."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Falfurrias baseball makes return to UIL regional final