By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers had a hard time getting on base after the first inning. Their defense made sure it didn’t matter.
Brownsville Veterans beat the Weslaco High Lady Panthers 2-0 in Game 1 of a Class 6A bi-district series Thursday at Weslaco.
The Lady Chargers scored twice in the top of the first inning, which was enough to send them home with a 1-0 lead in the series despite not getting a hit in the final six innings of the game.
A tough regular season schedule has Brownsville Veterans battle-tested and ready to grind out close postseason wins.
“The season prepares for us mentally for those challenges,” Brownsville Veterans coach Ray Cardenas said. “When you have girls that are confident in their skills, it makes it (easier). 2-0 is a lot more than 2-0. We just grind, we keep playing the game and the girls keep playing hard. There was of pressure on us at the beginning of the season and they’ve been in a lot of tremendous games. Our district prepares us for that and tonight was no different.”
Cassie Valdez struck out eight batters in seven innings pitched while allowing three hits and two walks. The sophomore ace received support from her defense all night. Left fielder Naomi Barbosa made two outstanding plays in critical situations and the infield played almost flawless softball for seven innings.
“When you get to these games, offense is great but defense wins games when they’re on the line,” Cardenas said. “We’ve been working hard with our outfielders on making great catches and we work them hard in practice. I’m just grateful that she was out there at the right time, and made two probably game-saving catches. If those balls go over her head at any point, we’re probably down.”
Mia Anzaldua and Valdez had Brownsville Veterans’ only two hits of the game, as Weslaco High pitcher Taylor Tafolla limited the visitors’ offense. Tafolla threw 10 strikeouts, walked two batters and allowed the two hits in seven innings.
“She did exceptionally well considering she’s never gone a full game (this season),” Weslaco High coach Mario Rodriguez said. “She’s coming back from an injury, but she did exceptionally well. Other than those two hits, she pretty much kept them in check.”
Valdez drove in Brownsville Veterans first run of the game with a two-out line drive that bounced out of Tafolla’s glove, scoring Lydia Fernandez. An errant throw by Weslaco High’s catcher scored Valdez to give the Lady Chargers a two-run cushion.
Weslaco High put together an instant rally in the bottom of the first by putting first three batters on base, with Alyssa Escamilla and Jenny Guillen drawing walks, and Charlene De Anda getting a bunt single to load the bases.
Brownsville Veterans cooled off Weslaco High’s hot start to the inning with a strikeout and defensive plays by Sarah Sandoval and Barbosa.
“I was so excited. I was so nervous,” Barbosa said. “I don’t know, I just played my best and prayed to God to do well.”
Defense was the name of the game for the next six innings. Both teams had a hard time getting runners on base because of solid defensive play and strong pitching.
Weslaco High put runners in scoring position in the second and fifth innings but failed to score.
The Lady Panthers had Escamilla up to bat as the potential game-tying run with two outs, but Valdez caught her looking on a called third strike for the final out.
Brownsville Veterans is set to host Weslaco High for Game 2 starting at 7:30 p.m. today.
Joshua McKinney covers high school sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @joshuabvherald.