Pasadena ISD freshman dies after falling ill during baseball practice

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- The family of a 14-year-old Dobie High School ninth grader, who had a lifelong passion for baseball, is preparing for his funeral this week. And in the midst of that grief, they have yet to be told why Steven Moreno died.

He was at school Wednesday involved in afternoon baseball practice and conditioning. According to a Pasadena ISD spokesperson, he told a coach he wasn't feeling well. He's said to have been taken inside the building and seen by the school nurse, but he continued to be ill. An ambulance took him to a nearby hospital.

Moreno died early Friday morning in the medical center, surrounded by family.

"He kept saying his stomach hurt," his aunt, Sarah Zamora said. "I said a prayer with him and he said he felt better."

It was the last time she saw her nephew before he died an hour later.

He played football and baseball, preferring the baseball diamond to the football field. And he had required physicals before the start of each sports season. His family says he was always found to be fit and in good health.

No cause of death has yet been released by the medical examiner, although a preliminary report is expected later this week. His family suspects it was the heat that made him ill, and allowed his body to eventually go into organ failure.

Their task now is getting through the funeral. A viewing is set for Wednesday at Crespo Funeral Home on Broadway; the funeral service will be Thursday. Friends are being asked to wear Astros or Texans shirts to the service, saying it's what Moreno would want.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover the teen's funeral costs. The account is called "Our Little Athlete."