STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
ROMA — Hector Alva tossed a two-hitter as Laredo United South defeated Los Fresnos 5-2 in the first game of a best-of-three regional quarterfinal series Thursday night.
The first hit Alva allowed to was to Falcons second baseman Sebastian Ledesma in the fifth inning and it left the yard — a solo home run that brought Los Fresnos within three.
“Hector’s been our guy,” Laredo United South coach Dante Madrigal said. “Again he came out and gave us a chance and did his job. That’s what we ask him to do, give us a good five or six solid innings, and he did that tonight.”
The District 29-6A champion Panthers (30-8-1, 10-2 29-6A) jumped ahead in the third inning when third baseman Greg Campos hit a sacrifice fly to left center and designated hitter Manny Navarro punched a two-out, two-run single.
The Falcons (23-11, 10-5 32-6A) responded in the fourth when third baseman Isaac Franco hit an RBI double down the left field line to get Los Fresnos on the board.
First baseman Erik Ruiz delivered a bases-loaded two-run single with one out in the fourth inning to extend Laredo United South’s lead to 5-1.
“That’s the middle of the lineup right there,” Madrigal said. “Their job is to drive in runs and come up with key hits in clutch moments, and they’ve been doing it all year.”
The Falcons had runners on first and third with one out in the fourth inning, but designated hitter Jorge Gonzalez was picked off at first. Los Fresnos loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning, but failed to score.
“We had our chances at the plate and we didn’t come through,” Rene Morales said. “Our hat’s off to (Laredo United South). They came through when they had to on the mound.”
Los Fresnos starting pitcher Victor Loa allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings. Alex Salas pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Also in the sixth inning, Laredo United South’s Jonathan Hernandez was ejected after throwing a punch at Salas. Hernandez hit a dribbler up the first base line and took a swing at Alex Salas after Salas got his legs tangled up with Hernandez as Salas collected the ground ball and raced over from the mound to apply the tag on the Panthers’ left fielder.
Campos locked down the save for the Panthers in the seventh inning.
Game 2 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Roma High School, and Game 3 is slated for 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2, if necessary.