KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
PORT ISABEL — On Saturday, Rio Hondo proved they’re still the team to beat in District 32-4A.
After beating Zapata on Tuesday, the Lady Cats once again turned to their ace, Annie Alvarado, who delivered a complete-game shutout while freshman Abbie Torris led the offense in an 11-0 win against Port Isabel.
“On Wednesday, we worked on our hitting and I went over some things that I needed to fix,” said Rio Hondo right fielder Atheny Orozco. “I was able to take what the coaches taught me and it worked today. Today’s win is big for us and to finish the first half of district unbeaten is big for us moving forward into the second half.”
The Lady Cats held a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning when their offense came alive and scored six runs. The Lady Cats took advantage of a pair of errors that put Dominique De Jesus and Torris on base.
A pair of RBIs from Nayeli Garcia and Bianca Cruz extended the Lady Cats’ lead to 7-0. The seven runs were more than enough run support for Alvarado, who retired the first nine batters she faced until she gave up a single in the fourth inning.
Port Isabel managed to work with a base hit and a walk to load the bases with two outs. But Alvarado quickly ended the threat and got out of the frame unscathed by punching out the next PI batter.
The senior hurler finished the game with 11 strikeouts, gave up just two walks and allowed only three hits.
“The kids are playing great defense behind Annie,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “Today was another game where she had a no-hitter going until the fourth inning; she keeps us calm. We know our hits will come so the kids stayed calm and Annie has been pitching very well for us. I’m very proud of her and what she did for us this week against Zapata and Port Isabel.”
Torris, who is a freshman, went 4 for 5, Garcia finished 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored, and Orozco chipped in with a 3-for-4 day with two runs scored.