Three members of the four-time District 32-5A champion Lopez Lobos signed Red River Athletic Conference Letters of Intent to join the Scorpion baseball team during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Manuel Garza B. Gymnasium Annex.

The three -- Justin Granado, Carlos Rodriguez and Mague Trevino -- were key members of the Lobos baseball team that advanced to the Class 5A Region IV quarterfinals before losing to McAllen High School two weeks ago.

"We are very excited to have Carlos, Justin, and Mague become a part of our program,"  Scorpion head baseball coach Bryan Aughney said. "They are all three quality student-athletes and I am very pleased they decided to stay right here at home and become Scorpions."

Granado is a pitcher and second baseman, Rodriguez is a pitcher and third baseman, and Trevino is a catcher, pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder. In their last playoff victory, a 10-4 win over Del Rio May 16, the three combined to pitch the seven innings.

In a Lopez District 32-5A win over Porter played at Scorpion Field because of wet conditions at the high school field, Granado threw a no-hitter.

"Carlos is an outstanding third baseman," Aughney said. "He has great defensive skills as well as the ability to pitch.  Justin is a quality infielder who has excelled in the leadoff role for Lopez the past few seasons. Mague is a very versatile player who can catch, play first base and the outfield.  Being that versatility speaks of his quality athleticism."

Rodriguez batted .523 during his senior season, Granado .500 and Trevino .381.

The Scorpions are coming off their most successful season in NAIA history, finishing 31-24 and a second-place finish in the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament. UTB/TSC advanced to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Group 4 Tournament in Lubbock, where the Scorpions finished fourth out of five teams.

"These guys know what we are building here and they know how to win, and that may be their best quality," Aughney said. "Coach (Alberto) Leal did a great job during his time at Lopez and I am excited to have these guys with us now."

Granado and Rodriguez hope to major in Nursing, while Trevino plans to seek a degree in business.

Granado, who hopes to major in Nursing, was an All-Valley and All-District selection, as was Trevino, who plans to major in Business.

Rodriguez is also a Scorpion Scholar who was ranked in the Top 10 percent of his class during his junior and senior year. He was also on the National Honor Society and received the National Scholar Athlete Award at Lopez.