North Dallas’ ‘amazing’ season ends in loss to Aubrey

DALLAS, TX – Before Saturday’s game, North Dallas senior pitcher Joseph Mendoza said he was going to give “his all” because he didn’t want this to be his last game.

Unfortunately, the Aubrey Chaparrals picked up where they left off Friday night, and powered their way to a 14-2 victory and a bidistrict series sweep over North Dallas in Game 2 of the Class 4A playoffs.  The Bulldogs, the District 12-4A champions, ended the season at 16-11.

Joseph went two innings in the loss, giving up eight runs. Osvaldo Cabrera followed and gave up four runs, and Silvestre Torres gave up two runs. The Bulldogs managed two runs in the second inning.

“Playing for North Dallas was fun,” Joseph said afterward. “It was fun playing with my little brothers. Being able to play for North Dallas is a memory I’ll never going to forget. I’m grateful to be able to play baseball. I’m going to miss the game.”

Joseph, who was part of the district championships in 2018, 2019 and 2021, paid tribute to North Dallas Coach Steven De La Cerda for helping him grow.

“He helped to form us to become a man,” Joseph said. “I’m so grateful to have him and my brothers.”

In the first inning, Joseph singled to center field and Tony Cazares was hit by a pitch but the Bulldogs runners were left stranded on base.

In the second inning, Esteban hit a double to left field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Then Cesar Ramos walked and Osvaldo followed with a single to center field, scoring Esteban. Logan Moreno walked to load the bases. An errant throw to third base allowed Cesar to score as the Bulldogs trimmed the Aubrey lead to 5-2.

Esteban, a freshman, played a key role this season as a pitcher and with his batting. He pitched the Bulldogs to a 10-4 win over Hillsboro in Game 1 last week.

“It was good. I experienced my first year in high school with amazing teammates. Rob, Jojo, Tony, really everybody,” Esteban said about his first season on the varsity level. “That was a big key, making it to the second round of the playoffs meant a lot, too.”

Asked to describe his season, Esteban said, “Amazing. I’d do anything to do it again.”

Third baseman Tony Cazares was on the varsity squad last season as a freshman, but the season ended early in March. Now, he’s made it to the playoffs as a sophomore.

“I felt like we did really good. We did better than anybody expected us to do,” Tony said. “We surprised a lot of people. I’m just proud of the way we worked and we were able to piece together and be brothers, and finish strong.

“[Winning district] felt really good. That was a good experience,” he said. “My freshman year we didn’t get to finish district, so that was a nice new feeling, something I hadn’t felt before.”

For senior Cesar Ramos, he played on the defensive line on a Bulldogs’ football team that made the playoffs last fall for the first time since 1952. He also experienced a district championship and the playoffs with the baseball team.

“I came a long way because I’m really like a football player,” Cesar said. “I played baseball because I liked it. I ended up taking a starting spot and we went on to the playoffs, you couldn’t ask for more.

“I’m just happy I got to go here,” he continued. “I didn’t get to go here all four years of high school, but at least I got to finish here.”