The PSJA High Bears won a back-and-forth battle in Game 1 of their Region IV-6A semifinal best-of-three playoff series 5-4 against San Antonio Johnson on Thursday at Veterans Field in Laredo. The Bears (28-8) lead the series 1-0 against the Jaguars (31-5-2).
Tied at 4 in the top of the sixth, Austin Flores got things started with a leadoff single, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on a base hit to center field by Jai Arenas for the 5-4 final.
Jacob Delgadillo picked up the win as he entered in the bottom of the sixth and pitched two shutout innings, capping things off with a strikeout for the final out of the game.
The Bears drew first blood in the first with back-to-back singles by Charlie Zamaripa and Juilus Ramirez. A bunt by Vinny Cano down the third base line moved the runners to second and third, but the throw to first hit Cano in the back and allowed one run to cross the plate for a 1-0 lead.
PSJA added to its lead with back-to-back jacks during the third on a two-run home run by Andy Gamboa and solo blast by Diego Gomez to go up 4-0.
Johnson scored two runs in the third and fifth to work their way back into the game before PSJA High pulled ahead for good in the sixth.
“We just never stopped fighting. Fight is there, they believe that we can get it done,” PSJA High head coach Marco Guajardo said. “They have no doubts and are playing right now with a chip on their shoulder. The two home runs were big and gave us some momentum. Charlie didn’t have his best stuff but he got the job done and Jacob came in and shut it down.”
Game 2 between PSJA High and San Antonio Johnson is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Veterans Field in Laredo. Game 3, if necessary, will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.
CLASS 5A
LEANDER ROUSE 4, LA JOYA PALMVIEW 2: At Jourdanton, the Lobos fell short in Game 1 of their Region IV-5A semifinal best-of-three playoff series on Thursday at Jourdanton High School. The Raiders lead the series 1-0.
Trailing 4-2 during the bottom of the sixth, Palmview (28-9) plated two runs as Anakin Robles was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Renso Tamez followed with an RBI groundout.
Leandre Rouse (21-10-1) did its damage with an RBI double during the top of the first, a solo home run during the top of the third, and two more runs during the fourth.
Palmview’s Mateo Garcia finished 2-for-4 at the plate and pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs off seven hits and one walk, striking out six.
Game 2 between the Lobos and Raiders is set for 4 p.m. Friday at Coastal Bend College in Beeville. Game 3, if necessary, will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.