BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — After four innings, the high-powered La Joya High offense trailed McAllen Rowe by four runs. The four-run deficit, which was tied for La Joya High’s largest of the night, prompted Coyotes coach Carlos Rodriguez to have a talk with his team.
“I was a little concerned at the end of four (innings),” Rodriguez said. “We’re down 5-1, even though we spend 70% of our practices hitting. We had a little pow wow at the top of the fifth and we scored three, but we gave them right back. Then we had that big inning. Some hits and some errors helped, of course, but that’s part of the game.”
The Coyotes put together an eight-run sixth inning to turn their four-run deficit into a four-run advantage. La Joya High held on to its lead for good in a 12-8 over McAllen Rowe on Tuesday night.
The Warriors and Coyotes entered the regular season’s final week tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in District 30-6A with identical 6-6 records. La Joya High won its first 30-6A get-together with McAllen Rowe. A season sweep of the Warriors would eliminate them from playoff contention.
Despite fielding a roster with only one senior on the roster, the Coyotes pulled off the comeback and earned another playoff appearance for Rodriguez.
“It was definitely an enjoyable game for the fans,” Rodriguez said. “We have one senior and eight juniors, so we think we’ll get those eight back next year. But we’re not worried about that yet. We’ll have Mission (High) on Thursday. Every time we step on the field, our goal is to improve.”
The Coyotes (17-15, 7-6) started their sixth with a double from designated player Azeneth Alaniz. After Alaniz, La Joya High sent 11 more players to the plate. Senior Jatzari Resendez’s sacrifice fly brought the Coyotes within 8-7, but a McAllen Rowe error after the fly ball allowed for the tying run to come home.
Errors became a theme for the Warriors (14-16, 6-7) defense during the sixth. A routing pop-up in center field was dropped, opening the door for the Coyotes to take their first lead since the second inning at 9-8. Another errant throw later in the frame helped push La Joya High’s lead to three runs.
La Joya High sophomore pitcher Jaretzy Rodriguez started strong and struggled during the middle three innings, but she found a groove to close the game out. She allowed three hits and no runs in the final two innings.
“She was really good early with her changeup, but then she went on her fastball and they (McAllen Rowe) were able to get some hits,” Rodriguez said. “They weren’t pitches that ended up at the fence, but they were hittable pitches. We helped them with a couple errors, but she pitched well in the sixth and seventh. She hit her spots.”
After the team took group photos for parents, Rodriguez’s players celebrated another postseason berth by dousing their coach with water.
“This team came together slowly,” Rodriguez said. “There were some rough parts, but they really did come together. They root for each other every night.”
Rodriguez then takes a breath to wipe cold water from his forehead.
“I’m just glad it wasn’t Gatorade,” Rodriguez said.