BY BRYAN RAMOS | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Weslaco High senior Seth Sanchez started his day by announcing he will continue his baseball career playing for UTRGV.
He finished his big day by blasting a solo home run for the Panthers as he helped lift Weslaco High to an 11-1 victory over Edinburg North in six innings.
“I told my parents we got to celebrate later today, and I celebrated with that home run. It was big in that second inning. I knew I had to do something special,” Sanchez said. “Today was a special day. All that hard work finally paid off and taking it deep felt good.”
Both teams entered the game tied for second place in District 31-6A with records of 4-1, but Sanchez sparked the Panthers to score 10 runs across the second, third and fourth innings as a flurry of base hits and passed balls put Weslaco High up big early.
Seven Panthers posted RBIs on the night, capped off by Raul Camarena’s perfectly placed bunt in the bottom of the sixth that allowed Weslaco High to pull off the 10-run rule.
Weslaco High coach Eddie Serna said it was good seeing Sanchez start and finish his day in a big way, pushing the Panthers to a key victory in 31-6A.
“We knew they were 4-1 for a reason, and we were going to come out here and try to win one like tonight and the kids responded. We’re a veteran ball club and they’re out there to play ball, and we got after it tonight,” Serna said.
Jon Castillo pitched all six innings for the Panthers, striking out six batters and allowing just one run. Castillo said the 11 runs scored boosted his confidence and made his job easier.
“Every time I go out on the mound, I feel confident and I know I have a great hitting staff and defense behind me. Confidence levels just go up there and it feels like you’re cruising when you got guys hitting home runs and hitting the gaps,” Castillo said.
Sanchez finished the game 1 for 2 with the solo home run, two runs and two walks. Camarena got on base in every at bat as he went 4 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored.
Edinburg North’s lone run came off the bat of Argelio Guajardo in the top of the third inning as he drove in Kenneth Jobe. The loss sends the Cougars to 4-2 in district as they head into a matchup against Edinburg Vela on Friday.
Meanwhile, Weslaco High improves to 20-4-1 on the year and 5-1 in 31-6A. The Panthers will host Edinburg Economedes at 7 p.m. at home on Friday.