AUSTIN — Throughout the season there were whispers the 2022 version of the Sinton baseball team might be the best ever for the storied program. But few wanted to say it out loud. 

It was a collection of talent that had opponents wondering how they were going to beat them, and outside observers wondering if the team could be beat. Inside the program, the focus was on improvement each day and achieving the goal they missed out on in 2021. 

The one thing missing from the stellar resume was a state championship. That would be the determining factor if the team could surpass the 1988, 1989 or 2002 Sinton state title teams. Those teams had the hardware to show for their efforts. 

Over two days in Austin, the Pirates made a case for that title after outscoring two state tournament teams (Celina and Argyle) a combined 18-0 in winning the program's fourth state championship. Thursday's dominating 9-0 victory against Argyle, a three-time state champion, was one more example of the Pirates' lineup showcasing it's ability, and its pitching shutting down one more team. 

And to add to the lore of the team, a junior outfielder and the No. 9 hitter in Thursday's lineup — Kaden McCoy — was named the championship game MVP, cementing the depth of the team's lineup.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

"It feels really good, and it feels even better to be state champs," McCoy said. 

Even after all the run-rule victories through the regular season and playoffs, the Pirates still had to hoist the hardware at Disch-Falk Field to earn that tag as "best ever." And they did ... with an exclamation point on Thursday. 

"It feels amazing, it's everything we've worked for since the end of last season," said senior catcher and shortstop Rylan Galvan. "It's amazing ... I don't even know how to explain how much this means to us, this community, this fan base ... it's amazing.

And he added: "We're the best ever to put on a Sinton jersey, I'll tell you that." 

The key for this collection of talent was staying laser focused on the task of winning that coveted state championship. The Pirates left Austin in 2021 a little surprised and simply disappointed they were knocked out in the semifinal round. But they were also determined.

It was the main motivating factor in 2022. And Rylan Galvan said when the season began, a season without a state championship would be a disappointment. 

There was no disappointment on Thursday, just excitement, joy and some relief. The goal had been reached, cementing the team in Sinton Pirates lore as well as the history of Coastal Bend baseball.

And when it was over, standing on the same field he won on in 2002 and also threw a no hitter as a collegian at the University of Texas, Alaniz said the consensus was that this is the best Sinton baseball team. 

"I feel like they are the best to ever come here," coach Adrian Alaniz said. "I can say it ... they are better than what I felt like the '02 team was. I've talked to '88, '89 teams that won state titles, they've said, 'Coach you've got the best team to ever come through in Sinton.' And that means a lot.

"Even going and shaking hands with Argyle, and coach (Ricky) Griffin, you guys know exactly how many great programs they put out with back to back state champions ... the words coming out of his mouth saying, 'You're the best team we've ever played, coach' means a lot."

It's likely the realization of what the Pirates had accomplished this season will not fully hit until the bus ride back to Sinton or for a few days. But no matter when it hits, there was a realization that a collection of talent not seen on the baseball fields of the Coastal Bend in a long time lived up to its billing and brought back the area's first state title in more than a decade. 

"This means the world," said senior Rene Galvan. "These guys (pointing to the fans), these guys behind me, I mean I love every single one of them and we bringing it back to Sinton ... back to Sinton, America where it belongs. We worked for this since we were little kids, and we knew we could do it and we finally did it."

High School Baseball: Sinton routs Argyle to win program's first state baseball title in 20 yearsHigh School Baseball: Sinton seniors take one final chance to fulfill the promise of a talented team

Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe