By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Hanna has been to the postseason six consecutive seasons. But that streak could be broken if the Golden Eagles’ defense doesn’t improve.
Hanna was shut out 9-0 against Brownsville Veterans Memorial on Tuesday, and once again a few errors provided the early difference in the game.
“It’s always been defense wins championships,” Hanna coach Eddie Garcia said. “In our case, if we want to have a shot at the playoffs, we better play better defense.”
With another young squad this season, Garcia doesn’t have as much experience on the field, and that has played a factor in more than a few losses this season.
Repetition of practice reps only takes you so far, Garcia said. And Hanna doesn’t have overpowering pitchers to make up for its defensive inconsistency.
“Our main focus in practice is defense, it’s always been defense, he said. “(Brownsville Veterans) has the best pitching in the district by far. But you still have to make the plays (on defense).”
NEED CONSISTENCY
Los Fresnos has now dropped five consecutive district games. The Falcons are hoping to build off a 9-6 loss to San Benito last Friday, a better overall performance than in previous games.
Los Fresnos was down 8-1 at one point, but scored five runs during the next few innings to cut the deficit, but didn’t take advantage of a few runners in scoring position during the defeat. Otherwise, the outcome could have been much different.
Despite the loss, Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales was pleased with the effort.
“We just need to play consistent like we did (against San Benito),” he said. “Shore up a couple errors here and there and we’ll be OK.”
HAVING FUN
San Benito has got back to its winning ways simply by enjoying the game a little more.
“We weren’t having fun,” San Benito coach Ramiro Partida said. “But I told them, losing (is) not fun.”
The Greyhounds coach said the team had to change some things, and now they understand the difference.
“We have to start winning to have fun, and right now these kids are having fun,” Partida said. “They’re acting like a group, like a family, and it’s carrying out to our winning (games). But winning is fun.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.