By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
With senior right-hander Luis Acosta on the mound, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are pretty tough to beat in District 32-6A baseball.
The Harlingen High Cardinals found that out Tuesday night.
Acosta, who just signed with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, struck out 11 batters and tossed a one-hitter with one walk as the playoff-bound Chargers (17-1-2, 11-1 district) triumphed over the Cardinals 10-0 in five innings Tuesday at Brownsville Veterans.
“I felt good,” said Acosta, who improved to 5-0 in district. “I was hitting my spots, and I was throwing my breaking pitches for strikes. My slider was working well, too, along with my curveball. Everything was working well for me.
“I was locating my pitches where they’re supposed to be, and, of course, my defense did great,” he added. “I can’t do anything without my defense.”
The only hit Acosta allowed was a harmless single to center field by Daniel Anciso with one out during the top of the fourth inning. Acosta struck out the next two batters to retire the side.
The Chargers, who already have clinched a playoff berth, remained in at least a tie for first place in 32-6A with two district games remaining. They play host to Los Fresnos on Friday and close out district play at Lopez next Tuesday.
“The first time we played Harlingen(High during the opening round of district), we barely got by them 1-0, and it was a tough game,” Chargers coach Joey Benavides said. “We really worked hard to come out swinging the bat tonight, and that’s what we did. The last time we didn’t swing the bat, and we didn’t put the ball in play. But we did this time, and we took advantage of the mistakes they made.”
The Chargers scored two runs during the first inning, three in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the fifth to end the game early via the 10-run rule.
Jimmy Moody led the way for the Chargers at the plate, collecting three hits with one RBI. Teammates Baltazar Guzman and Joey Moody each added a pair of hits with an RBI.
Brownsville Veterans outhit the visitors 12-1. The Cardinals, who are out of playoff contention, were hampered by four errors.
Left-hander Jaedon Wynn suffered the loss for the Cardinals and received relief help from BoedyFlores in the fifth.
With a playoff berth secured, the Chargers are starting to think about the postseason.
“Our guys are doing great,” Benavides said. “They’re enjoying themselves, and they’re having fun playing baseball. Week by week, they’re getting better and getting ready for the playoffs. They’re excited about being in the postseason.”