McALLEN – McAllen Rowe defeated McAllen High on its home turf last Tuesday in the District 31-5A opener between the rival Warriors and Bulldogs.
McHi returned the favor with a 5-3 victory against Rowe Tuesday night at Rowe High School to split their district series 1-1.
The Bulldogs improve to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in 31-5A play. The Warriors drop to 8-5 and 1-1 in district.
Tied at 2 during the top of the third, McHi catcher Jack Millin led the inning off with a solo home run to left field. Sean Lara followed with a double and Maddox Braxton brought him home with a two-run shot to center field for the 5-3 final.
McHi starting pitcher Robert Avendano picked up the win with three innings of work, allowing one hit and two earned runs while walking eight.
Avendano worked his way out of a bases loaded jam with one out during the bottom of the third with a strikeout and pop out to end the inning, which kept the Bulldogs in front 5-2.
Alejandro Garza took over and pitched four scoreless innings for the save while surrendering two hits and one walk to three strikeouts.
Lara finished 2-for-3 with one run and a walk.
Rowe scored two runs during the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a McHi error. Ramiro Campos made it a two-run game with an RBI single during the bottom of the fourth, but that’s as close as the Warriors would get.
Campos also pitched four shutout innings and allowed no hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Next for McHi is a two-game series against PSJA North beginning at 7 p.m. Friday at PSJA North High School in Pharr. Game 2 between the Bulldogs and Raiders is at 7 p.m. Monday at McHi.
McAllen Rowe will take on Sharyland Pioneer at 7 p.m. Friday at Rowe. The Warriors and Diamondbacks are scheduled to play Game 2 at 7 p.m. Monday at Pioneer High School in Mission.