WESLACO — Corpus Christi Carroll jumped on Weslaco East early to take Game 1 of a Class 5A area-round softball series at Weslaco East High School.
The Wildcats knocked in some runs late, but it was not enough as the Tigers built a strong enough lead to win 15-6 and take a 1-0 lead back to Corpus Christi for Game 2 2 p.m. today at Cabaniss Field.
Weslaco East head coach Victoria Vasquez praised her team’s hitting, but said the team needs to improve defensively for Game 2.
“I think we had a little jitters coming into the game,” Vasquez said. “Got to clean up defensively and take care of our pitcher in the circle. We need to sleep on it and get back at it tomorrow.”
Weslaco East outfielder Ambrosia Peña, Ariel Lopez and Aubrey Zuniga picked up RBIs in the bottom of the seventh after the Wildcats gave up four runs in the top half of the inning, including a two-run home run by Carroll’s Ameris Garcia.
Carroll went deep during the top of the fifth with a solo shot by Katelyn Mendez, and scored three in the top of the fourth. The Tigers scored seven across the first three innings. The sixth inning was the only inning the visiting Corpus Christi school did not pick up a run.
“Carroll is a great team,” Vasquez said. “We played them a couple of years ago, they were great then. We just have to take care of business I think.”
Weslaco East’s Angie Herrera drove in two runs while Carroll piled on in the middle innings. University of Incarnate Word commit Piper Caceres hit a single and a double. Wildcats pitcher Kaylin Morales also had a good night at the plate, hitting three singles.
Class 5A Rio Grande Valley Schools have struggled against District 29-5A opponents this playoff. District 30-5A’s Mission Veterans, Rio Grande City, Roma and La Joya Palmview did not pick up a win against the Coastal Bend schools in the bi-district round.
Only Mercedes has picked up a win against District 29-5A competition. Harlingen South was eliminated in two games by Corpus Christi Flour Bluff and Sharyland Pioneer dropped Game 1 to Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial.