By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial has been one of the top teams in the Rio Grande Valley this season.
The Chargers solidified that fact with another District 32-6A title, their second consecutive district crown, and did it in dramatic fashion.
Fred Villarreal threw a no-hitter (his fourth of the season) and struck out 14 in a 1-0 win over Los Fresnos to help Brownsville Veterans secure the title on April 22. Jimmy Moody hit a run-scoring double in the fifth inning for the only offense on the night.
“I just want my team to know I have their back, I’ll come out and compete each time (I pitch),” Villarreal said. “I want my teammates to have my back. I’m just glad it was a great night.”
It was certainly one of the highlights for the Chargers this season.
“I’ve been telling these guys to make memories and they’re going to remember this game,” Brownsville Veterans coach Eric Gonzalez said of the game that clinched a title during his first season at the helm. “This was a tough one. Freddy throwing a no-hitter and having that situation in the last inning with a guy on, it’s been that kind of a year for us where we’ve had to compete.”
But Gonzalez was grateful for games like this during the season as his team enters the postseason against the fourth seed from District 31-6A.
“These games have made us tougher,” he said. “Hopefully if this (situation) comes up in the playoffs, we can win.”
GAINING MOMENTUM
Los Fresnos ended the season in one of the most dramatic ways possible, on a walk-off home run in a 3-2 victory.
The Falcons’ Zak Bridgewater hit the lead off game winner in the bottom of the seventh inning during a game tied at 2 against Hanna.
The momentum shift clinched a second place finish for Los Fresnos and sent them to the playoffs with plenty of confidence.
“Anytime you win, you get some momentum,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “The kids have been getting better and better, the mental part of this game is tough.”
The Falcons will now take on the third seed from District 31-6A in the postseason that starts next week.
Los Fresnos will focus on the same things they have all season during practice ahead of the postseason.
“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing and try to get better,” Morales said. “Better at certain situations, improve on hitting the ball in certain situations, things like that.”
PLAYOFF FIXTURE
Hanna may have ended the season with a loss, but the Golden Eagles finished fourth in District 32-6A and head back to the playoffs for the eighth in coach Eddie Garcia’s seasons.
But Garcia said his team couldn’t be satisfied with just getting there.
“Don’t just be happy because we’re in, no,” he said. “Last year we were competitive in both games, but we ended up on the short end. Most of these guys were younger, now they’re older and there should be no excuses.
“They know what it takes, they just have to play.”
The tight game against Los Fresnos should be a motivator for Hanna.
“We have the team, we were a couple pitches away, they hit our mistakes,” Garcia said of being on the losing end of that game against the Falcons. “That’s how it goes in baseball. In the playoffs, that’s how it goes.”
Garcia has confidence in his team, but he knows it’s not going to be easy facing the top seed from District 31-6A, Edinburg North.
“Every team is going to be good, they’re in the playoffs for a reason,” he said. “We have to work a little harder and get prepared.”
TITLE SHOT
Port Isabel not only clinched a postseason berth this season, they have a shot to win the District 32-4A title.
The Tarpons are tied at the top of the standings with Hidalgo at 11-2 in district play, and the teams split their two games this season.
Port Isabel finishes its district season at home tonight against La Feria, while the Pirates are on the road against Grulla.
With a win, the Tarpons can claim at least a share of the title if Hidalgo also wins its finale. If the Pirates lose, a Tarpons’ win would give them the district crown outright.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.