While his twin brother, UTRGV outfielder Rene Galvan (25), bats during the Longhorns’ game against The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas catcher Rylan Galvan (6) catches.

Texas catcher Rylan Galvan, clad in burnt orange, crouched behind the plate—steady, focused, locked into the pitch call. At bat was someone he’s faced a thousand times in backyard showdowns, in travel ball scrimmages, and in family wiffleball games that turned into fierce competitions with bragging rights that lingered for weeks.

Only this time, the batter wasn’t a friend or a teammate.

It was his twin brother, Rene Galvan, sporting UTRGV’s road greys, batting third for the Vaqueros. Under the stadium lights, with fans from both programs in the stands and scouts dotting the upper rows, a deeply personal narrative played out between twin brothers on opposing teams—a rarity even in a sport built on unique coincidences.

Same Blood, Different Paths

Born just minutes apart in the baseball-breathing city of Mission, Texas, Rylan and Rene Galvan have been inseparable for most of their 20 years on Earth. From Little League to high school to the late-night drives chasing regional tournaments, the Galvan brothers have shared the same fields, meals, friends, and dreams.

But like many twins with aligned talents, their eventual divergence was inevitable.

Rylan, the more vocal of the two, emerged as a top catching prospect during his time at Sinton High School. His arm strength and advanced feel for the game caught the eye of college scouts early. Texas, with its reputation for developing elite catchers and playing in the heart of the Big 12, became a natural fit. He committed to the Longhorns in his junior year and quickly rose through the ranks in Austin.

Rene, on the other hand, took a more underdog route. A gritty contact hitter with exceptional baseball IQ and a knack for getting on base, Rene found a home at UTRGV. The Vaqueros, under Head Coach Derek Matlock, had cultivated a reputation for giving overlooked South Texas ballplayers a chance to shine. For Rene, it was the perfect launchpad.

“We’ve always done things together,” Rylan said in the postgame interview, a smile stretching across his face. “But this was different. We were finally on the same field but for different squads. It was weird, cool, competitive, and emotional all at once.”

The At-Bat That Captivated Everyone

It came in the top of the third inning. Rylan had just helped navigate a clean frame for Texas starter Ace Whitehead. With two outs and the bases empty, up stepped number 25—Rene Galvan.

From the moment Rene’s name echoed across the PA system, the crowd leaned in. It wasn’t just that this was a rare showdown between twin brothers; it was how deeply invested the Galvan family has been in both programs. Their parents, Roberto and Maribel Galvan, sat behind home plate, half in Texas gear, half in UTRGV colors. A cousin wore a split jersey stitched together with burnt orange on one side and Vaquero orange on the other.

Rylan adjusted his helmet and squatted behind the plate.

Rene stepped into the box, glancing up for just a moment.

The two locked eyes.

Then came the pitch.

Strike one. A fastball low and away. Rene didn’t bite.

The second pitch—a changeup—just missed the zone. Rylan held the frame a moment longer than usual. Ball one.

The at-bat lasted seven pitches. Rene fouled off two tough pitches, including a borderline inside fastball that caught the hands. On the seventh pitch, he lofted a fly ball into shallow right-center, just deep enough to get a few oohs from the crowd.

It was caught. Inning over.

As Rylan jogged toward the dugout, he gave his brother a subtle nod.

“I wanted to throw him out so bad if he got on,” Rylan joked afterward. “He would’ve stolen on me just to say he could.”

Family at the Center of the Story

The Galvans’ parents have been their sons’ loudest cheerleaders and quietest supporters. Roberto, a former high school pitcher in the Rio Grande Valley, instilled in them a love for the game early. Maribel, a constant presence at games with snacks, first aid kits, and wise words, balanced out the household with nurturing discipline.

“When they were younger, we never imagined they’d both make it to this level,” Roberto said after the game, visibly emotional. “But for them to be on opposite teams? And for us to sit here and not know who to root for? It was special. It was surreal.”

The family traveled up from Mission for the game, bringing along cousins, neighbors, and childhood friends—some rooting for Rene, others for Rylan, but all rooting for the name across the back of both jerseys: Galvan.

Mutual Respect and Competitive Fire

For Rylan and Rene, the game wasn’t about beating the other—it was about honoring the journey.

Both brothers have had their fair share of adversity. Rylan battled through a hamstring injury last spring that briefly derailed his upward trajectory. Rene faced limited playing time his freshman year and worked tirelessly to break into the starting lineup.

“It would’ve been easy for either of us to give up at different points,” Rene said. “But we pushed each other even when we weren’t on the same team anymore. He’d text me after my games with suggestions. I’d watch his film and call him out if he was being lazy behind the dish.”

That mutual accountability has created not just strong baseball players, but resilient young men.

“There’s no one I want to beat more,” Rylan laughed, “but also no one I respect more.”

The Broader Impact: A South Texas Baseball Legacy

This game meant something not just to the Galvans but to South Texas as a whole. The Rio Grande Valley has long produced under-recruited but immensely talented players. For many young athletes in Mission, Brownsville, and McAllen, the Galvan twins are proof that with enough drive and support, anything is possible.

“They’re heroes to a lot of kids down here,” said Coach Matlock of UTRGV. “You don’t often get to say that about college players, but it’s true. Kids see them and believe they can make it too.”

Texas Head Coach David Pierce echoed the sentiment: “It’s rare to have this kind of moment, but it’s also a testament to what this sport is all about. Brotherhood, family, competition, and respect.”

Moving Forward, Together and Apart

The Longhorns would go on to win the game 5-2, with Rylan recording a base hit and an RBI, and Rene finishing 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. But in many ways, the box score was irrelevant.

This game won’t be remembered for the final tally.

It’ll be remembered for the way the Galvan brothers carried themselves—with pride, class, and joy.

It’ll be remembered for the way Rylan framed pitches just a little tighter when his brother was up.

It’ll be remembered for the moment when Rene tipped his helmet after the flyout, acknowledging not just the pitcher, but the catcher—his twin.

It’ll be remembered for the tears in their parents’ eyes, knowing that their two boys had made it—not just to the next level of baseball, but to a once-in-a-lifetime moment that symbolized everything they had sacrificed for.

After the Game: Brothers First

As the stadium emptied and media obligations wrapped up, the twins finally found each other again—just two brothers in street clothes, trading laughs, critiques, and stories under the Austin night sky.

“We argued about the pitch sequence,” Rylan said with a grin.

“He totally called me out on taking that 2-1 pitch,” Rene added. “He said I was being too passive. He was right.”

Then, they hugged—longer than you’d expect for a pair of ultra-competitive twins.

Because even when uniforms differ, and schools are rivals, and competitive pride is on the line—blood runs deeper.

And on April 16, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, the Galvan twins gave the world a moment that was bigger than baseball.