KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — The young guns of Rio Hondo continue to come through this postseason.
The Lady Bobcats struck first with a three-run first inning — led by sophomore Savanna Gonzalez and freshman Alexis Rhyner — then Rio Hondo relied on its defense and the right arm of senior ace Erika Cortez to earn a 6-4 win over Sinton in Game 1 of their best-of-three Class 4A regional quarterfinal series.
Rio Hondo needed every bit of muscle to get past the No. 5 team in the state. While Cortez did not have an ideal night in the circle, the senior flipped the switch during the final two innings by striking out six of the last seven batters she faced.
“I felt I didn’t have my best performance tonight,” Cortez said. “I didn’t do too well at the plate and that got to me, but I had my team and everyone here for me helping me get back on track. So when I went out there in the sixth and seventh, I was able to refocus and lock in to my pitches.”
The series shifts to Beeville for Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and, if needed, Game 3 will follow 30 minutes afterward.
“We came out and we were anxious,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “We knew we could turn that into some positive energy and just keep it going. Like we say, ‘All gas, no brakes,’ and for us to break through in that first inning was the difference in the game. And that is why we wanted to play at home, and we know how important Game 1 is to gain momentum in the series.”
Rio Hondo wasted no time jumping on Sinton starter Hannah Gallegos. After back-to-back singles from Nayeli Garcia and Gonzalez, Kayla Castaneda broke open the scoring on an RBI single. One batter later, Rhyner continued to swing a hot bat and drove in two runs on a standup double.
Sinton answered with a two-run second inning, roughing up Cortez with a walk, a single and a double.
Rio Hondo added some insurance runs with a three-run third inning. Kelsey Pizzaro added to the lead with a sacrifice fly followed by RBIs from Abbie Torris and Alyssa Silguero.
“We sat the girls down earlier today in our pregame meeting, and we talked about how we are not a young team anymore,” Esparza said. “We have been through six rounds of the playoffs with some girls and with the older girls they have been through 11 rounds, so with all of that combined there is an understanding on how important a Game 1 win is.”
At the plate, Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with one walk and one run scored. Castaneda added to the offense with a 2-for-3 night and an RBI. Rhyner finished 1-for-2 with one walk and one run scored.
Cortez went the distance in the circle, allowing four runs, four hits and three walks, and she struck out 13 batters.
“We wanted to start out hot and we did that, and it carried us through that lull we had in the middle innings,” Esparza said. “(Cortez) was money in the sixth and seventh inning, and she didn’t have her best start but she got stronger as the game went on, and that is a good sign for us.”