SCOTT HARRISON | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
MISSION — Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers starting pitcher Mia Anzaldua allowed just two late-inning hits en route to a victory over the Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots by a final score of 14-0 on Thursday in the opening game of their Class 5A bi-district softball series.
Only five Lady Patriots batters reached base, and Anzaldua carried a no-hitter through the first two outs of the sixth inning. Makenzie Gerlach broke it up with a single and Alexia Hernandez followed with a double before Priscilla Gonzalez struck out to end the game.
Anzadula struck out 12 batters while going the distance for the win. This contest had been scheduled for seven innings but was stopped after six due to the 10-run rule.
Anzaldua opened the game by walking Lady Patriots leadoff hitter Natalie Cavazos but then retired the next 10 batters before a pair of Lady Patriots reached base on back-to-back errors during the fourth inning.
“My team was really behind me as everyone came out and performed their best, and it was amazing,” Anzaldua said. “With a solid defense, there is nothing that can really stop us from competing.”
Anzaldua added a stellar performance offensively, going 4 for 5 with three hits and a walk. She also collected four RBIs, tallying one on a solo home run to right-center field. The sophomore fell a double short of hitting for the cycle.
“We hit the ball well today, but Memorial was a worthy opponent and made us work for everything,” Brownsville Veterans coach Rayner Cardenas said. “We made some errors on the bases, but overall offensively I was happy with the way we produced. And if we just get a few runs for Mia (Anzaldua), she will hold that lead for us. The kid is special the way she pitches and dominates.”
The Lady Chargers took command in the second inning, when all nine batters came to the plate. The result was four runs off five hits, including four doubles, as the visitors built a 6-0 lead against starting and eventual losing pitcher lliana Contreras.
“Brownsville is a very well-coached team, and our kids lack experience,” Lady Patriots coach Vivian Ray said. “We are going to come out, try hard and play it to the best of our ability. I was hoping for a different performance from what I got, but we’ll see what we can do on Friday.”
Cassie Valdez played shortstop but will be the starting pitcher in the next game of this series for the Lady Chargers. She provided three doubles, walked once and drove in three runs on Thursday night. Contreras is expected to take the mound again as the starter for the Lady Patriots.
Game 2 will be hosted by Brownsville Veterans at 7 tonight. If necessary, a third and deciding contest will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday back at Mission Veterans.