You look at the 2-13 district record Dayton endured last spring and one might think that the Broncos weren’t close to being a playoff contender.
But for the Broncos on the field and their closest, most dedicated followers, they know that record doesn’t really tell the whole story.
The Broncos are much closer to success than the last-place finish they endured a year ago.
“Last year, a lot of our games were one-run games, two-run games, three-run games,” Broncos junior catcher Zak Wood explained. “We started the season off with a win. We were coming off good and then we came off a bad loss that was a walk-off hit against us. After that, it was hard for us to keep the energy up and I think that really degraded the rest of the season. But this year, we’re definitely going to work on that and not let one loss affect the rest of the season.”
The Broncos were 10-19 overall last year. Yes, as Wood explained, they beat a couple games in non-district play to start the year.
But when district play began, Porter walked them off in the opener. The Broncos bounced back a day later to beat Nacogodches 3-1. Then a 10-0 Lufkin loss that followed spiraled into a seven-game slide. There were a few lopsided games mixed in. But eight of Dayton’s 13 district losses were by two runs or less.
With a new head coach – a familiar face to the roster in Matthew Moore – Dayton is feeling positive about this season.
The Broncos return plenty of talent, have two very capable starters on the mound who aren’t even seniors yet and a junior catcher in Wood leading from behind the plate.
You also have a multi-sport athlete in Andrew Soliz, a senior leader hoping to make the playoffs for the first time in his playing career before he graduates later this spring. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since 2019.
“It would mean the world to me, especially after the season I had in football,” Soliz said when asked about the playoff drought. “Just chasing a playoff season and having at least one, and finish with a bang would be perfect.”
The Broncos will lean on Moore calling the shots, a Magnolia High School alum of a decade ago who has coaching in his blood. His father, David, has coached for over 30 years and is currently an assistant at The Woodlands Christian Academy.
Moore has been with Dayton for four years now and took over for Sonny Garcia, who became an assistant principal at the high school. Aside from being the assistant baseball coach the past three years, he is also on the football staff.
“Ever since I’ve got here, this has been such a homey environment,” Moore said. “A small-town feel and just to be able to build on what’s been happening here, I’m really excited to just grow with these kids and see what we can do.”
The players have gotten to know Moore over the years and feel fortunate to have a familiar face leading them after the head coaching change.
“I’ve always been close to Coach Moore since my freshman year,” Wood said. “He was definitely the first coach I built a strong relationship with here. I felt comfortable around him. I could talk to him easily. Coach Moore knows how to work with us. He knows how to talk to us. He’s going to do good with this season as a head coach.”
Soliz and junior pitcher Sebastian Avila are both looking forward to having Moore lead them as well.
“I feel very confident in Coach Moore,” Soliz said. “He’s put a lot of work into us and we’re working every single day as hard as we can. Everybody’s just hustling to the ball, everybody’s moving around, everybody’s talking. It’s just been great throughout practice.”
Added Avila, “It’s been pretty smooth since we found out Coach Moore was going to be our head coach,” Avila said. “Since summer, we’re putting the workouts in, coming out to the field, getting ready for this new season. I think it’s going to turn out pretty smooth.”
Avila, also known as ‘C-Bas’, a nickname proudly displayed on his uniform belt, is part of a one-two tandem on the mound with fellow junior Hunter Wallace.
Wallace threw 46 ⅓ innings last year with a 3.93 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Avila tossed 33 ⅓ innings with 3.15 ERA and 32 strikeouts. He was recognized on the All-District team for his work at third base.
“This will be their third year as our primary starters,” Moore said. “They’ve been doing it since they were freshmen and this is their junior year. They’re big pieces.”
Avila, a 6-foot, 190-pound righty, features a fastball, changeup, slider and curveball.
Wallace, meanwhile, stands at 6-2 and 175, throwing from the right side. He’s also a capable infielder.
Although he grew up in Pearland, Wood has known both pitchers for a long time.
“I’ve been playing Hunter and C-Bas since (we were younger),” Wood said. “We’ve always had that bond and good chemistry in calling games. I know if I see any body language, I know what to do. They’re not afraid to tell me if I did anything wrong. I’m not afraid to tell them something. We’ve just got good team chemistry when it comes to calling games and me catching them.”
Wood was second team All-District last year, batting .312.
“We’ve got a catcher back (Zak Wood) and they’re all back,” Moore said.
Soliz is the team’s lone returning first team All-District selection after batting .310 last year with two homers and 18 RBIs. He is primarily a first baseman or designated hitter.
“Just a great all-around kid,” Moore said. “Can drive the baseball wherever he wants and is a good vocal guy to have. He was a big piece to our football team and had 20 sacks or something right round that. Just to have that toughness on the field is awesome.”
Another Bronco to watch is junior Anthony Zuniga, a speedster on the basepaths and the center fielder.
“He gives us a lot of speed out there and on the bases,” Moore said. “Just a great team kid.”
Ivan Lopez and Logan Strickland are a couple other names that have stood out
“We’re going to get through our scrimmages and tournaments to set everything,” Moore said.
Soliz is excited about what this team can do.
“Our offense and defense are solid in both areas,” he said. “We’ve got big hitters coming back like Sebastian Avila, Zak Wood and Anthony Zuniga. They’re all big playmakers and we’re looking forward to the season.”
Avila added that the team bond is a key factor, too.
“Just us playing as a team and playing with chemistry, playing hard and playing with everything we’ve got,” he said.
Dayton was placed in District 18-5A for this alignment. Crosby, Porter and Kingwood Park are stable competitors the Broncos will see. West Fork and Splendora move up to 5A and Pasadena is in the mix now.
“I think we have a district that’s going to be very competitive,” Moore said. “We have a lot of teams that can make runs to playoffs.”
If you question if Dayton is motivated to do big things this year, look no further than where their focus is when the team huddles up.
“We have a great chance this year,” Avila said. “Our mentality since school started this fall. Our breakout has been ‘DC’ for district champions. One of our goals is playoffs. If we play ball as a team, just do the small details, I think we have a good chance at making the playoffs this year.”
Dayton begins the season Monday afternoon at Barbers Hill.
Seen here are Dayton baseball players (from left) Andrew Soliz, Zak Wood, Hunter Wallace, Sebastian Avila and Anthony Zuniga. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
