ODESSA, Texas — "EZ Strong" has been the motto for the Odessa High School baseball team this season as the program comes together to support one of its own.
That was on full display last week. Sophomore Isequiel Cervantes threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the rivalry baseball game between Odessa High and Permian.
"That first pitch. That's Isequel right there. We were so excited. He loves baseball. He's been doing it since six-year old. This really brought a joy to my son's life," Isequiel's mom Julissa Cervantes said.
"It was pretty cool. It was fun. I enjoyed it, watching them," Isequiel said.
A moment of joy for a family that received deflating news just about a month ago. Isequiel has cancer: Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
"We would always stay positive and always say it couldn't be that. We were just so in shock, like we still are right now, you know, can't believe it," Julissa said.
"The same process as my brother," Isequiel said.
The impact was amplified for the Cervantes family since this was a path that it had already had to walk down and learned from. Isequiel's brother, Israel, had his own battle with the illness.
"You can never be too safe or too sure of what's going on. You just gotta take it day by day. Whatever comes at you comes at you for a reason. It comes at you, so you can go through it and have more experience and be more wise," Isequiel's dad Ismael said.
Isequiel and his family aren't alone in this fight. The Odessa High baseball community has come together in support.
"He's part of our family. You know, for a teenage kid like that, for a great kid like that to be going through that, we just want to do anything we can to help," Odessa High Head Baseball Coach Jerod Couch said. "There's not a lot we can do to take way their thoughts and their pain that they are going through. But if anything we can make it a little easier for him, that's the goal because he's one of us."
"It's just sad seeing someone you know that close to you have to go through that, especially a 16-year old. No 16-year old should have to go through that," childhood friend and teammate Zorian Del Real said. "It's kind of heartbreaking sometimes, but we do know how strong he is. From how I know him, I know he will never give up. That's just his type of personality."
The OHS baseball team raised money for Isequiel and his family last Friday at Pressly Field. The backing from the community is something that will be remembered by the entire family.
"This community has come together real well and strong. They've been really strong supporters for my son and my family. I'd like to thank them from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot," Ismael said.
"I appreciate it, knowing what I got, and that's really thoughtful of them and from the bottom of my heart that they came together to support me," Isequiel said.
The Odessa High baseball program wasn't the only one to raise money for the Cervantes family. The crosstown Permian squad also pitched in, donating from money made at home during the series.
Isequiel has already begun cancer treatment and hopes to be back on the baseball diamond soon.