FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN — Jaime Banuelos’ three-run home run in the fifth inning led the Weslaco East’s Wildcats to a 7-2 victory over the Harlingen South Hawks on Friday evening at Hawk Field.
Down 2-0 in the top of the fifth with two runners on base, Banuelos took matters into his own hands and smashed a ball clear over the left field wall, shifting the momentum in Weslaco’s favor.
“We played well tonight,” said Weslaco East head coach Michael Brown. “We came back and we stayed within ourselves, and just kept playing and eliminated mistakes. I told ourselves that we have to find a way to get out of the funk we were in and the kids bounced back, and they’re responding and playing well.”
Despite the loss, it was Harlingen South that put runs on the board first. In the bottom of the third Kike Alvarado got the ball rolling by hitting a single to deep left field that drove in Mando Martinez for the first score of the evening. But Alvarado wasn’t on base for long as Carlos Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to plate Alvarado and give South its second run of the game.
However, the lead was short-lived as Banuelos’ homer in the fifth drove in Mike Martinez and Alejandro Guzman for a 3-2 lead. Shortly afterward, Jaime Rodriguez and Peter Puente added to the Wildcats’ 5-2 lead.
“That home run is what lifted the team and it gave us a spark,” said Brown. “He’s been due for one because he’s been hitting the ball really well all year.”
Despite taking the loss, South’s ace Trey Vento had a solid outing for the Hawks. The sophomore pitcher went six innings with eight strikeouts and went 2 for 3 at the plate, and earned some admiration from Harlingen South head coach Chris Gracia.
“Trey has solidified one of the spots in our starting rotation,” Gracia said. “He has kept us close in games and has put us in position to win games all season. He’s kept hitters off balance with the complete arsenal of pitches he is able to throw.
“Being a sophomore we are excited to see his progression through the next couple of years.”
The Hawks take on Brownsville Rivera next week to close out the season. Meanwhile, the Wildcats take on Brownsville Hanna.