By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
District 32-6A leader Harlingen High will wrap up its season series with Los Fresnos this week.
The Cardinals (14-9, 7-2 32-6A) have surged atop the standings after a weekend sweep of Brownsville Hanna. The Falcons (17-8, 6-3 32-6A) are in second place, overtaking Brownsville Rivera with a 7-0 win over the Raiders (17-7, 6-3 32-6A) on Friday at home.
Harlingen South slipped to fourth in the district after dropping the second game of their series with San Benito 4-2, but the Hawks (14-7-2, 5-4 32-6A) bounced back with a 9-3 victory Saturday. South has an opportunity to make up ground with tonight’s game at Rivera, and the Hawks will play host to the Raiders on Friday.
Hanna will play San Benito at home tonight, and the two teams will play their series finale Friday in San Benito.
All 32-6A games begin at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
UPSET IN 32-5A
Brownsville Pace handed Brownsville Veterans Memorial its first district loss of the season, 7-3, in a matinee game Saturday.
Justin Anaya went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI for the Chargers (16-5-2, 7-1 32-5A) in the loss. Rafael Parra and Brandon Betancourt each were 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Meanwhile in Houston, Brownsville Veterans alumnus Fred Villarreal has continued his impressive run with the Houston Cougars, picking up his seventh save of the season in a 2-0 win over No. 11 East Carolina on Saturday.
The Chargers are scheduled to play tonight at Donna High and return home to face Mercedes on Friday.
Pace plays host to Edcouch-Elsa tonight in a battle of teams trying to separate themselves from the middle of the pack in 32-5A. The Vikings (9-9, 4-4 32-5A) then head across town for a showdown Friday at Lopez.
The Lobos (14-3-2, 6-2 32-5A) have a pivotal home matchup with Valley View tonight, as the third-place Tigers (8-11-1, 5-3 32-5A) trail the second-place Lobos by a single game.
All 32-5A games begin at 7 p.m. tonight.
IN THE CHASE
Rio Hondo lost to District 32-4A leader Zapata in a 17-13 slugfest Saturday.
Derek Castellanos was 2-for-4 with a double, Fabian Torres went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, Daniel Garza went 2-for-4 and Joey Ortega went 2-for-5 in the loss.
The Bobcats (11-11-1, 5-4 32-4A) trail second-place Hidalgo by one game. Rio Hondo split its two meetings with the Pirates (8-11, 6-3 32-4A) this season.
Rio Hondo will travel to Raymondville for their final district meeting this season Friday.
PULLING AWAY
Lyford is off to a hot start in district play this season. The Bulldogs (12-3, 4-0) have outscored their last two 32-3A opponents (Edinburg IDEA Quest and Monte Alto) 40-3.
Lyford plays host to Santa Rosa at 7 p.m. tonight and Edinburg IDEA Quest at 6 p.m. Friday.