DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — The sophomore drilled a bases-clearing triple on a rocket to left center. The freshman followed moments later with a sacrifice RBI to deep left.
Edinburg North’s baseball team has two sophomores, a freshman and only one senior in its lineup, but the inexperience hasn’t mattered so far in District 31-6A. The Cougars blanked Weslaco High 5-0 on Tuesday night at Edinburg North High to improve to 4-0 in district, 13-6 overall.
“We know there will be growing pains, but right now we’re OK,” said Joey Salinas, the sophomore infielder who went 1-for-2 with four RBIs for the Cougars. “It’s been a tough process as far as working on the approach, adjusting to what we’re supposed to do. Someone like me, I wasn’t expecting to start this whole season, but I am and we’re here. I’ve gotten my opportunity, and these guys have gotten opportunities. We’re working hard and we have to keep it going.”
Edinburg North (13-6) has wins over district title contenders Edinburg High and Weslaco High, and another win over playoff contender PSJA North.
Coach Damian Gonzalez is pleased.
“This team is starting to grow,” Gonzalez said. “We’re maturing. We’re talking to them constantly in the cages, putting them in situations. These guys like that high inside pitch, but that’s not good for us. Stuff like that, they’re learning. They’re picking up on what we want to do and they’re starting to buy in.”
The Cougars chased Panthers starter Dylan Hernandez, a senior lefty used to provide a different look against North, after one out in the first inning. Hernandez faced six batters, allowed four runs on two hits and walked three.
Salinas’ triple started things off and Marc Esquivel, the freshman, contributed the sacrifice RBI after Pito Davila walked. It was 4-0 after the first inning, more than enough for North ace Giancarlo Servin.
Servin produced a complete-game shutout, striking out 13, walking four and allowing three hits. In 38 innings this season, the junior right-hander has 66 strikeouts to 18 walks and has allowed three earned runs.
“We’ve taken it one game at a time,” said Servin, the team’s No. 3 pitcher last season behind Alex Canul and Sam Garza. “That starts with the little things, stuff like bunting the ball when the runner’s on first, coming through with guys in scoring position, two-out hits. We’ve capitalized on other teams’ errors.”
The Cougars only had four hits, and just two against senior Kristian Estebanes, who pitched admirably in 6.2 innings of relief, but the defense— called beautifully by catcher Saul Garza, who had a pair of stunning highlights when he threw out two Panther baserunners with remarkable force and ease — was uninviting and Servin was practically unhittable.
Weslaco (7-7, 1-2 31-6A) only threatened in the seventh inning when it loaded the bases with two outs before Servin escaped the jam.
“This game will love you one day and hate you the next,” Panthers coach Eddie Serna said. “Tonight, it was their night. We just need to put it aside and move forward. We’ve seen everybody’s No. 1 (pitcher) so far in district. We have to continue to be ready to fight every week.
“But our kids are positive, they don’t give up … they load up the bases and one key hit there, who knows? We might still be playing.”