FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons rallied from a to 2-0 deficit to defeat the Lady Bobcats 6-4 on Tuesday.
Port Isabel used a three-run fifth inning and a two-run sixth to propel the team to a 6-4 victory.
“They played like a team today and backed each other up,” said Port Isabel softball head coach Jesus Garza. “Even though they made errors on defense they never let down and they never lost hope and just kept fighting.
“It’s awesome to see the team come together like that.”
In the bottom of the first Rio Hondo got on the board early as the Lady Bobcats’ Kathy Gauna scored on a 5-3 throwing error by the Lady Tarpons. On the Bobcats’ next at-bat Annie Alvarado came screeching home from third after an RBI single from teammate Tianna Sandoval to give Rio Hondo a 2-0 lead.
However the Lady Tarpons came storming back in the top of the fifth after ace pitcher Victoria Cantu hit a three-run RBI triple to put Port Isabel up 4-2.
The Lady Bobcats responded by posting up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to even up the score at four a piece.
Port Isabel’s Alexandria Martinez hit an RBI single, and Michelle Martinez scored on a 2-4 throwing error in the top of the sixth to put the Lady Bobcats away.
Cantu had a solid outing on the night as the senior had nine strikeouts.
“She kept her head on straight and was confident,” said Garza. “She never lost her composer especially at the end.
“We put the ball in play and we put the pressure on them.”
Up next for Port Isabel is the Raymondville Lady Bearkats at home on Friday. Meanwhile Rio Hondo hosts the Progresso Lady Red Ants at home, also on Friday.