A baseball tee, a hitting net and a singular light post that would light up only a portion of a backyard.
In their hometown of Sinton, Texas, this is where twins Rylan and Rene Galvan created core memories in their early teenage years.
“We didn’t care it was 11 p.m., midnight at times, and there was that one light that was shining in this one spot and it was enough for us to be able to hit,” Rylan said. “We would go out there and hit for hours late at night when we were 13 to 15 years old.”
Now, both play under the lights of Division I college baseball as juniors at their respective schools. Rene is an outfielder for UT Rio Grande Valley and Rylan is a catcher for No. 1 Texas.
While the Galvan brothers have recollections outside of their backyard hitting, they also have memories of being mentored by a Sinton baseball legend.
Sinton alumnus Adrian Alaniz won the College World Series as a Longhorn in 2005, after winning a high school state championship in 2002. Pitching in the MLB from 2007-2010 and its minor affiliates, Alaniz returned to Sinton to become a coach.
Alaniz first met the Galvan twins as their elementary physical education teacher, giving them baseball lessons in their youth. Alaniz became their official coach in high school, guiding the Galvans through the rigors of being multi-sport, football and baseball athletes.
On the gridiron, Rene was the quarterback and Rylan was the running back for the Sinton High School Pirates. A former quarterback himself, Alaniz coached Rene’s development in the position.
“I was with him every single day through drills, just by watching film preparation, you name it,” Alaniz said. “He and I were almost like a father-son combo on the football field. … There was a lot of bonding time together based off of those opportunities. From there, it escalated into the high school baseball scene.”
However, Alaniz also made sure to use his Longhorn roots to prepare Rylan after the catcher committed to Texas before his sophomore year.
“I’m a little biased to the University of Texas because I was recruited by them and got to play for coach Augie Garrido in my tenure there from 2004 to 2007, and had all the successes from a national championship to a no-hitter,” Alaniz said. “(Rylan) and I had long conversations about the University, the program, the culture and what it means to be a Longhorn.”
With Rylan and Alaniz sharing similar career timelines, the idea of bringing Texas its first national champion since Alaniz won has been discussed.
“In high school, (Alaniz) won a state championship, and then I won it 20 years later,” Rylan said. “(Alaniz) won (the College World Series) in 2005, and I got an opportunity with this team to do it 20 years later. I broke my collarbone my junior year of football and when he was in high school, (Alaniz) broke his collarbone bone his junior year of football. A lot of crazy things have gone on that have been very similar. (Winning the College World Series) is definitely something that we’ve already talked about for sure.”
The Galvan twins, coached by Alaniz, capped their high school careers with a Texas UIL 4A state championship, winning it all on UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
After three years of not playing with each other, the twins finally met back at Disch-Falk Field. On April 15, the twins were now opponents.
Alongside Texas sophomore infielder Jaquae Stewart and UTRGV junior pitcher Wyatt Wiatrek, who are also both from Sinton, Texas, the twins represented their hometown.
The Galvan brothers knew what it meant to the city and all they could do was soak in the moment. Rylan and the Longhorns came out victorious 11-4.
“One of the main things I enjoyed was seeing a bunch of younger kids from Sinton be able to come out here and watch,” Rylan said. “Seeing how excited they were, I can just imagine the conversations that were going on. .. That’s so special to me (and) something I don’t take for granted.”
Currently, Rene is part of a 26–14 UTRGV team sitting third in the Southland Conference, while Rylan is playing a pivotal role in leading Texas to its No. 1 ranking. Three years apart from the last time they were both on the same team, Rene can only wish the best for Rylan.
“I love (Rylan) so much, and I want nothing but success for him. I give my arm and leg for him to have success, and I want to see him accomplish everything he’s dreaming of accomplishing because he’s worked incredibly hard for it,” Rene said. “He’s got an opportunity to change his life this year and I’m just hoping for the best and I’m rooting him on.”
