Caitlin Lowe - USSSA.com

2012 USSSA Hispanic World Runner-Up – MTS- McAllen,TX
In the competitive division, Julio Ruiz, Olmito Heat, was the MVP; Joe Gutierrez, Heat, was Outstanding Offensive
Player; Carlos Gallardo, MTS, was Outstanding Defensive Player and Mark Burnias, Olmito Heat, was named
Outstanding Manager.
In the E Division, Diego Garza, Gangs Back, was MVP,; Jose Ortiz, Gangs Back, was Outstanding Offensive Player
while Edmund Lopez, Baaaaad, was selected Outstanding Defensive Player. Ruben Ramirez, Gangs Back, received
the Outstanding Manager Award.
78 USSSA TODAY
the Brownsville Convention & Visitors
Bureau. “It was a great opportunity to
showcase our community, and we want
to thank former USSSA director Skip
Keller for helping us produce this event.
In the Men’s Hispanic Competitive
Division, Olimto Heat from nearby
Olmito went undefeated to claim the
world championship. After getting a
first round bye, Olimto Heat defeated
Puro-Sho from Hermiston, Oregon (17-4)
in their first game. They followed that
with wins over MTS from McAllen, TX
(14-9) and JV Trucking from Edinburg,
TX (24-19) to advance to the championship.
Olmito Heat then topped MTS
again to win their first ever world title.
Team manager Mark Burnias owns the
Flying Pig Bar & Grille, which is located
less than a mile from the Brownsville
Sports Park, and spirits were flying high
in the establishment after Olmito Heat
won the crown.
“I cannot be more proud of my guys,”
said a beaming Burnias. “To win a USSSA
world championship and to do it so close
to home, in front of our fans, is a dreamcome-true
for me.”
MTS, who had defeated the Chicano
Cubs from Dallas (17-5) in their opening
game, made a nice rally after losing to
Olmito Heat in the second round. MTS
defeated Puro-Sho (17-5), Dirty Habits
from Weslaco, TX (12-5) and JV Trucking
(15-14) to make it to the championship
game.
JV Trucking settled for third place in
the division, while Dirty Habits came in
fourth. Puro-Sho and the Amigos from
San Antonio tied for fifth.
Julio Ruiz of Olmito Heat won the Most
Valuable Player Award. Joe Gutierrez of
Olmito Heat was named the Outstanding
Offensive Player and Carlos Gallardo
of MTS was tabbed the Outstanding
Defensive Player. Burnias received the
Outstanding Manager Award.
Other players named to the All-World
Tournament team were Hawk Scott,
Rosalio Rosales, George Guevara and
Nick Shay, of Olmito Heat; Raymond
Zuniga, Otis Powers, Mark Lopez and
Sergio Hernandez, of MTS; Rogelio
Villarreal, Luis Uresti, Hugo Garcia and
Juan Rochha, of JV Trucking; and Martin