KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — After both teams swapped homers, Harlingen South trailed by two runs.
Then came the top of the fourth inning, which fueled South to a 15-4 win in six innings over Harlingen High, sweeping the season series.
South executed its offense with speed and took advantage of a pair of Harlingen High errors. Junior Kelsey Rivera tied the game with a RBI single, and two batters later senior Krystal Gonzales swatted a grand slam that gave South the lead and the momentum it needed.
The grand slam was a part of a seven-run inning.
The fourth inning was vintage Lady Hawks and is something skipper Elias Martinez is pleased with seeing late in the year.
“There is no weakness in our lineup, and in the sixth inning we added more runs,” Martinez said. “It is a matter of getting that swag back and getting ready for the playoffs.”
Gonzales finished the night 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs, five RBIs, a double and a solo homer.
“This is the first time I hit a grand slam and (another) homer in the same game,” Gonzales said. “I just trusted my eyes and my hands. I had been in a slump lately, so tonight was a great night to get things going.”
Gonzales wasn’t the only one who went yard. Freshman Iliana Saucedo hit a pair of homers and finished 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs. The offense, which is beginning to find its form, collected 14 hits on 15 runs. Rivera and leadoff hitter Natasha Canales also finished with a pair of hits.
“Everyone came out and did their job,” Gonzales said. “We were all struggling at first, but we were able to get the pitching down and then came our bats.”
South added six more runs during the sixth inning. Along with Saucedo’s two-run shot came a two-run triple from Canales.
Saucedo has now hit 12 homers on the year.
“I don’t remember, but I want to say this was my first multi-homer game this season,” Saucedo said. I have an aggressive approach at the plate, and if I’m ahead of the count I’m looking to swing. Right now as an offense we feel like we are gaining confidence heading towards the playoffs.”
Harlingen High came out swinging during the first inning. After a pair of base hits, April Garcia hit a three-run homer that gave the Lady Cardinals an early 3-1 lead. Garcia finished the night 1-for-2 with a pair of intentional walks.
The Lady Cards, who are eliminated from postseason play, will wrap up their season Thursday at Brownsville Rivera. Harlingen South, meanwhile, is still alive for a share of the District 32-6A title.
South will play host to Hanna on Thursday, and first-place San Benito is at Los Fresnos. South will need a win plus a San Benito loss to claim a share of the district title.
“We are getting our mojo back,” Martinez said. “We are getting that swagger back, and Harlingen put up heck of a fight and they gave us a test. Every game is full of adversity and it is how we react to it, and it is helping us tremendously as we get ready for the playoffs.”