RGVSports.com
Mercedes carried over its hot play into the postseason, beating Rio Grande City 6-0 in Game 1 of their best-of-three Class 5A bi-district series on Thursday at RGC.
The Lady Tigers (22-2), winners of the District 32-5A title, beat the fourth-seeded Lady Rattlers, who finished in fourth place in 31-5A.
Mercedes scored in the first inning. Jenna Pena tripled and then scored on a fielder’s choice by Dominique Garza. The game was close through the ensuing four innings, but the Lady Tigers received timely hits, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning to pull away.
RGC (13-10) responded by getting runners on base, but Mercedes closed out the inning unscatched. The Lady Tigers added another run during the sixth inning, putting them in position tonight to close out the series when they host RGC at 7 p.m.
Class 6A
Edinburg High 4, Harlingen South 2, 11 innings: At Harlingen South, the Lady Bobcats’ Celeste Trevino blasted a ball into deep outfield, bringing in Angie Salinas and Jennifer Borjas for the go-ahead RBI double, giving them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three bi-district series.
“They jumped out on us and we really were not playing real good ball but we stuck in there until we finally tied it and then it was anybody’s game,” Edinburg High coach Jesse Banda said. “I think the 10 inning game against (Edinburg) North the last time really helped us and we learned from that experience.
“Desi (Marmolejo) pitched a heck of a game, the defense played hard when they had to and we got the bounce we needed to win.”
The Lady Hawks got on the board first as shortstop Ashley Galvan scored from third base on a wild pitch from ace pitcher Marmolejo in the bottom of the first.
Harlingen South registered another run in the bottom of the fourth when Kristina Sanchez hit ball into deep left field scoring first baseman Ashley Reyna who was on second base. The run gave the Lady Hawks an early 2-0 lead.
Kayla Contreras got the offense going for the Lady Bobcats in the top of the sixth. With a full count and bases loaded, Contreras ripped a ball into right field bringing in teammate Cynthia Contreras to put Edinburg on the board.
On the ensuing play Gina Garza tied the game from a sacrifice hit from Amber Reyes.
South had opportunities to score in the eighth after errors put the winning runs on first and second. However, a 6-5 out and a pop to center field ended any hopes.
“Our girls played hard and competitive for the entire 11 innings,” Harlingen South coach Debbie Esparza said.
The series shifts to Edinburg at 7 p.m. tonight.
Brownsville Veterans 5, Weslaco High 4, 9 innings: At Brownsville, the Lady Chargers handed the Lady Panthers a loss in Game 1 of a best-of-three.
“It was a team victory,” Brownsville Veterans coach Ray Cardenas said. “The girls were up for the challenge of playing a district champion from a tough district.”
Sarah Sandoval scored the winning run for the Lady Chargers on a single to left field by Thalia Perez. Pitcher Cassie Valdez pitched a complete game.
“Playing in extra-inning games throughout the season really helped the girls feel comfortable,” Cardenas said. “They’ve grown up the last few weeks.”
Brownsville Veterans can close out the series at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, when they travel to Weslaco to take on the Lady Panthers in Game 2.
“It’s going to take a tremendous job from our pitching (to win Game 2),” Cardenas said. “Weslaco plays in a tough environment. They have a lot of pride and they’re not going to go down without a fight.”