STAFF REPORTS
Los Fresnos continued its offensive surge and defeated Weslaco High 8-4 for a 2-0 sweep in a Class 6A bi-district playoff series Saturday at Weslaco.
The Falcons scored seven runs in the sixth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie Friday night to defeat the Panthers in Game 1.
Los Fresnos continued that trend in Game 2 and took the series.
With the game tied at 1 in the fourth, the Falcons had back-to-back three-run innings to break things open and take a 7-1 lead. Weslaco High would cut into the deficit a couple of times, but Los Fresnos added a run in the seventh frame to put the game out of reach.
“The bats got going and gave us some breathing room,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said of the team’s double-digit hit total.
Everyone in the lineup contributed to the offensive output and starting pitcher Victor Montemayor went the distance on the mound for the Falcons to keep the Panthers at bay.
“He kept them off-balanced, he missed on a few pitches that they hit hard, but he did his job,” Morales said. “He did a good enough job for us to win, he kept us in the game.”
With the win, Los Fresnos will face either Mission High or Laredo Alexander in the area round this week. The Falcons’ opponent and playing site have yet to be decided.
No matter the foe, the Falcons are a very confident bunch right now headed to the next round.
“The kids are playing with a lot of confidence,” Morales said. “These kids are playing hard and leaving it all on the field.”
Chargers sweep PSJA North
Brownsville Veterans found its offensive touch after struggling the previous night.
The Chargers broke out of their weeks-long offensive slumber to defeat PSJA North 11-7 to earn a 2-0 sweep in a Class 6A bi-district playoff series Saturday at PSJA North.
Brownsville Veterans took Game 1 against PSJA North with a 1-0 victory Friday after Fred Villarreal’s strong pitching effort and plenty of help from the defense.
“I think the atmosphere was different; the wind was blowing straight out,” Brownsville Veterans coach Eric Gonzalez said. “We came out and swung the bats well; we made solid contact.”
Chargers catcher Jimmy Moody had three hits to lead the team, getting it started in the first inning to show the rest of the team the way.
But it wasn’t easy for Brownsville Veterans. After scoring three runs in the first inning, PSJA North answered with five runs in the home half of the frame.
Eventually the Chargers found enough offense to pull away late.
“It was just one of those days where whoever hit the ball the best was going to win,” Gonzalez added.
Noe Solis started and threw three innings for the Chargers, but senior struggled on the mound. Sophomore Sam Chapa pitched the final four innings in relief to pick up the win.
Brownsville Veterans will play the winner of Laredo United/McAllen High in the area round this week. Gonzalez believes if the Chargers can continue playing their game, they’ll be tough to beat.
“We’re confident about our pitching and defense,” Gonzalez said. “If the kids starting swinging the bats like they did (Saturday), we’ll be competitive.”
St. Joseph athletes earn state medals
St. Joseph Academy track and field came home with three silver medals from the TAPPS state track and field meet Saturday in Waco .
Gaby Garza medaled twice in the meet by finished second in the 100-meter hurdles (14.47) and 300-meter hurdles (44.24).
Mario Garcia finished second place in the 400-meter run with a time of 49.67 seconds. Garcia was also a member of St. Joseph ’s state-qualifying 4 x 100 relay team, which finished seventh with a time of 44.15 seconds.
Cole Conner, Miguel Guerra and Gerardo Moses ran the other three legs of the relay.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” coach Meme Garza said. “We have some people coming back next year. Hopefully we can win a state title next year.”
The Bloodhounds had two other athletes place in the state meet. Camryn Gloor finished fifth in pole vault with a height of nine feet. Mario Oliva Sanchez finished sixth in the 3200 with a time 10.11.72.