TJ GARCIA | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
PALMVIEW — The McAllen High Bulldogs scored two go-ahead runs in the fifth inning, played stellar defense and held off a seventh-inning surge by La Joya Palmview to turn back the Lobos 4-2 in a Friday matchup between the District 30-6A leaders.
McAllen No. 1 pitcher Rigo Sanchez allowed just three hits and struck out five on his way to claim the victory, putting McAllen alone atop of the district standings at 5-1 after the first round of play. Palmview drops to 4-2.
McAllen’s win had all the hallmarks of this year’s defense-oriented team, which came into the game with a 2.03 ERA. Aside from one error and a couple of passed balls, Bulldogs’ fielders were on point, stabbing potential run-producing grounders for outs or throwing out runners already in scoring position.
McAllen coach Eliseo Pompa said he went into game believing it would be close and focusing on keeping mistakes to minimum.
“The way we’ve been playing defense lately, sometimes just one run is all we’re going to score, and that’s all we are going to need,” Pompa said. “I am very proud of the way the kids have been playing. I’m proud of the way they are playing defense. They are going to make mistakes here and there, but that’s going to happen.”
McAllen did make that mistake with an error in the first inning. That and a couple of walks by Sanchez allowed Palmview to plate two runs and tie the game at 2. Sanchez, who pitched well but was not in complete control, said he knew he could count on defense to back him up.
“It’s all about trusting,” the senior right-hander said. “Trusting your catcher. Trusting your coach to make the calls. And trusting your defense. And your hitting has to come through.”
McAllen’s hitters did come through, if only barely with just seven hits on the night. In the first inning Jovani Favota, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI, tripled home Keola Zamora. He later scored on a Joe Moreno single to left to make it 2-0.
McHi scored another two runs in the top of the fifth. After Favota singled to center, a Palmview error later allowed him to score. Third baseman Ray Quintanilla the hit a single to left and was able to move around the bases before Victor Valdez brought him home with a single to right field.
Sanchez had a rocky start but settled in, allowing just 1 hit in innings 2 through 6. He closed out the 7th, but had to face six batters before ending the game.
Palmview’s throwing miscue was key, and coach Rick Garcia said the district race is so tight that he told his players that limiting mistakes is the key to competing for a district title.