BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
ELSA — Edcouch-Elsa senior Jarren Garcia has led off before, but Tuesday was just the second time he did it in high school. He took to it well, scoring the first run and driving in a couple more for the Yellow Jackets.
“Jarren played great,” E-E coach Ryan Garza said. “We told the seniors before the game, ‘This is the last time you will play Mercedes at home.’ Jarren came in and did a great job at the plate. We were looking for that from him, being the leadoff guy. I’m very satisfied with his performance at the plate.”
Garcia and the rest of the Jackets beat the Tigers 7-0 on Tuesday night in the classic District 32-5A rivalry game.
While the rivalry brings added desire on both sides, the lack of competitiveness in Tuesday’s score softened the bite. Mercedes senior starter Isaac Zuniga hit three Jackets in a row with pitches, and yet no one seemed too bothered by the ordeal. One of the hit by pitches came on a 3-2 count, clearly signaling a lack of intent.
Still, beating Mercedes(6-5, 1-3) always carries a little extra joy for Edcouch-Elsa (7-6, 3-2).
“It’s always a great win. Every win is a great one in this district,” Garza said. “But it makes it that much better when it is against Mercedes.”
“It feels really good to get this win,” E-E senior starter Ben Rangel said. “After the loss last week, to go out there and get this win, especially against Mercedes, it feels really good.”
Garcia reached on a walk in his first plate appearance of the game. He stole second, and sophomore second baseman Alex Noyola moved him over to third. Senior shortstop Joseph Gonzalez brought Garcia in with a grounder to short, and the Jackets were up for good.
“It feels pretty good starting off at a fast pace,” Garcia said. “It gives us the momentum to play with confidence.”
Things got a little hairy for the Jackets in the top of second. A fly ball hit to center was ruled a double, but sophomore center fielder Jonas Wilson and the rest of the Jackets were confident he caught the ball. Rangel worked around the free runner, and with one out, senior right fielder Elian Lopez caught a fly ball.
“I heard them saying that (the runner at third) was taking off, so I got to my spot,” Garcia, who was the cutoff man on the play, said.
Garcia received a perfect throw, which allowed him to quickly turn and throw home.
“I actually said ‘We got ‘em,’ before the ball got to the catcher’s glove,” Garcia said. “I saw it all the way, and it looked amazing.”
The Mercedes runner dove, but the throw was low and on the third-base side, forcing the runner to slide right into junior catcher Jared Ruiz’s tag.
“That’s all about knowing the game and knowing your position and where you are supposed to be,” Garza said. “Everybody worked together as a team to make that happen.”
After that, Rangel settled in and blanked the Tigers. He went all seven innings, allowing one hit and two walks while compiling three punch-outs.
Garcia recorded his two RBIs in the fifth. He was the first hitter to face Mercedes senior reliever JP Luna, and he hit a shot that one-hopped over the fence in right-center field.
“My teammates got so excited,” Garcia said. “I saw them in the dugout. They went crazy, and I just love those moments.”