By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — One day after winning a closer-than-they-would-have-liked ballgame against McAllen Rowe, Edinburg High felt compelled to create some distance early.
So in their closeout opportunity Friday, the Lady Bobcats piled on six runs between the first three innings, running away with a 9-2 victory in Game 2 of their best-of-three area-round series.
Edinburg (23-6) will now await the winner of the Edinburg North-Eagle Pass series, which concludes today in Laredo.
After squeaking out with a 2-0 win in Game 1, amid some Rowe errors, the Lady Bobcats were aggressive at the plate Friday, producing 14 hits, including a bases-clearing triple by senior Gina Garza to give her team a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
“We’ve been playing under pressure all season,” Edinburg coach Jesse Banda said. “So any time you get a 4-0 lead right off the bat, it really helps you.”
Banda said his players were relaxed after Garza’s big hit, which was the start of a 3-for-5 night at the plate for her, including an RBI double during the top of the seventh inning that drove in the last run.
Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, hitting had been Edinburg’s concern. It wasn’t getting enough production on that front until Friday, when they secured their second series sweep this season after taking care of Harlingen South in bi-district.
“We wanted to come out strong in the beginning (of Game 2) so the rest (of the game) could be easier for us,” Garza said. “I believe in my team and it feels really awesome getting through rounds, and hopefully we keep going strong.”
Garza was part of last year’s Lady Bobcats squad that was ousted in the area round. This time around, she said experience helped ignite them.
“Since our team was super young (last year), we started with freshmen,” she said. “They’re coming back this year and they know the intensity of the playoffs. They grew and that helped us get through this year.”
The pitching and defense has also helped.
Desi Marmolejo carried a hefty load in the circle last year for Edinburg. This season, she had relief with freshman Naomi Reyes, who has bolstered the Lady Bobcats’ battery.
On Friday, Reyes pitched a complete game, recording six strikeouts and allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk.
“Any time you have two good pitchers and mold a defense around them, you’re going to win some ballgames,” Banda said. “High school pitching, softball, 80 percent is defense and pitching.”
Edinburg has also played error-free defense, which Rowe couldn’t say itself after a pair of miscues that helped advance Lady Bobcats runners.
“I wish I could sit here and point at one thing, but they hit the ball well, they made defensive plays, and at the end of the day that’s what made the difference,” Rowe coach Ozzy Hernandez said. “Couple errors, but overall we played well. I was very happy, very proud of my girls. We had a great season.
“Unfortunately one team loses, and that was us tonight.”
Despites injuries, Rowe won the District 30-6A title. The Lady Warriors lost pitcher Joscelyn Moncayo (torn ACL) for the year just two games into district. They lost a second baseman, as well, leading Hernandez to shift players at first and third base.
Krystal Ramos proceeded, nevertheless, to pitch every district game for Rowe, posting an 11-1 personal record.
On Friday, though, she surrendered 14 hits, two walks, recording one strikeout in the loss.
“It puts pressure on her (having to pitch every game),” Hernandez said, “but she rose to the occasion this season.
“Like I told them right now (after the game), true character gets revealed when adversity comes. Adversity came this season and we did great.”