RAYMONDVILLE — Harlingen High’s Madison Vargas pitched a brilliant game and contributed offensively, the Cardinals defense showed out again and Lilly Rocha smashed a home run to deliver Harlingen High its first playoff series win since 2009.
The Cardinals were run-ruled in the first game only to win the last two games 3-2 on Friday night and 3-1 Saturday night at Raymondville High School to win a Class 6A bi-district playoff series.
Harlingen High head coach Kevin Ledesma said the team battled some adversity to pull off the win. Damages to the outfield fence at the Cardinals’ field caused the game to be moved to Raymondville instead of a home game.
“We adapted to our environment and the girls just balled out,” Ledesma said. “We are playing really good softball right now as a team. These girls deserve it. They work so hard.”
Vargas went the distance in the circle and also scored the eventual game winning run in the bottom of the fourth inning. In Game 2 Vargas found the gap between right and center field twice, in Game 3 she did the same to get on base in the fourth.
Vargas scored from third when left fielder Miranda Garza’s hit to third base was not fielded cleanly and Vargas booked it to home.
Vargas said she felt relaxed in the circle, good vibes and feeling great, she said. The vibes were flowing to her defense. Athena Linnartz was scooping everything at short stop. Garza and right fielder Charlise Ybarra pulled down terrific catches in the top of the sixth inning with La Joya pitcher Arlette Hernandez ready to tie things up while on base.
“They really had my back today,” Vargas said. “I knew I could count on them no matter what went to them.”
Harlingen High third baseman Lilly Rocha provided insurance with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to make it 3-1. Rocha started the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a double. Rocha drove in Amaris Gomez after Gomez opened things up with a double.
“I was not even trying to swing for the fence,” Rocha said. “But, you know, it just happens.”
La Joya High scored in the top of the third. Alayali Alaniz picked up the RBI. Hernandez pitched three straight games for the Coyotes, but could not pick up the run support like in Game 1.
Harlingen High is set to face San Antonio Harlan in the area round in a time and date to be determined.