McALLEN — Neither McAllen High or McAllen Memorial qualified for the playoffs a season ago.

At the start of the new year, not many predicted the Bulldogs and Mustangs would qualify for the postseason, let alone reach the regional quarterfinal round of the UIL Class 5A state playoffs.

Yet after battling through one of the toughest districts across Texas and winning their first and second round playoff series, respectively, the crosstown rivals separated by a few miles are set to lock horns with a three-game Region IV-5A quarterfinal series Thursday through Saturday.

Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at McAllen Memorial. Game 2 is set for 7 p.m. Friday at McAllen High School. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at McAllen Memorial.

The Bulldogs (21-13) and Mustangs (22-12) met in district play twice this season and split their head-to-head matchups, both 10-run ruling the other on March 12 and March 13 during spring break.

Now, they’ll meet in a best-of-three battle for a spot in next week’s regional semifinals.

“We were in a very tough district and it kind of helped us a lot in the playoffs, especially with close games. We’ve been able to keep our composure and poise, and Memorial is in the same boat,” McHi head coach Eliseo Pompa said. “It’s been very gratifying because at the beginning of the year, I don’t think anybody had given us or even Memorial a chance at making the playoffs. I think it’s just a testament to the kids at both schools that they came out, executed and played hard, and this is the reward for both schools — getting to the third round and getting to play each other.” 

BATTLIN’ BULLDOGS

McAllen High is back in the third round for the first time since 2018 and had to fight for a pair of Game 3 victories in Rounds 1 and 2 to get here.

The Bulldogs have battled their way through three games against Harlingen South and three more against La Joya Palmview. Whether leading, tied or trailing, McHi’s group hasn’t put their heads down and are finding ways to win.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, some ups and downs, but one thing that we want to stay true to is don’t give up the inning,” second baseman Eric Alonzo said. “Each inning is important, each pitch is important, so focus on the pitch at hand and not let it go by because we need as many opportunities as we can to get to the next round, to the next game, to the next inning.”

It was third baseman Max Villarreal’s walk-off RBI single in Game 3 against La Joya Palmview that sent McHi into Round 3.

“We’re blessed to be out here in the third round. We worked hard for this and it’s good to see it all paying off,” he said. 

McHi’s pitchers Jaime Palacios, Austin Ramos and Fernie Olivarez have delivered all year for the Bulldogs and especially during the postseason. All three have hit the pitch limit or lasted deep into later innings to give McHi a shot to win. If the series does go all three games, they’ll be ready.

“It’s exciting. I love the energy,” Palacios said. “I’m expecting a good series, maybe a Game 3. They’re a tough team, we can’t take them for granted, but we’ll see on Thursday who wants it more.”

MIGHTY MUSTANGS 

McAllen Memorial baseball has had success in program history but not much since the turn of the century.

The last time the Mustangs reached the third round of the state playoffs was in 1990 when current Memorial head coach Roque Cortinas was a junior in high school helping make it happen.

“The whole reason why I came here was for this; I drive an hour everyday for work and back home. I told myself it was an opportunity to come back home before I retired, and this is exactly what all that sacrifice is for — for us, for the kids,” said Cortinas, who was previously the head baseball coach at Rio Grande City. “These seniors, I wanted them to leave a legacy behind and they’re doing it, and they ain’t done yet.”

“It’s definitely special because he made it as a player and now he gets to show us that experience as a coach and let us know that we’re never done with the fight,” senior outfielder Jacob Sanchez said. “Nobody believed in us so we just went out there and played like we had nothing to lose. We just went out there and played our hearts out.”

All year Memorial has leaned on its 1-2 punch of left-handed pitcher David An, a junior Houston commit, and UTRGV signee Manuel Villa, a 6-foot-4 senior right-handed pitcher. They’ll be on the bump in Round 3 and are looking forward to the challenge against McHi.

“I think the key has been everyone working as a team, nobody playing selfish. We’re all playing as a team and putting the team first,” An said. “We feel great that we can help the team out and give us a chance to win.”

After sweeping Brownsville Porter in Round 1 and going all three games against Coastal Bend power Corpus Christi Veterans in Round 2, the Mustangs are prepared for a battle against the Bulldogs. 

“I expect a tough battle from them. They’re a talented team and it’s just about who wants it more, who goes out there with the most effort and who gives it their all. I think that’s who will end up winning,” Villa said.

The post Rivals McHi, Memorial ready for Round 3 playoff series appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Teams and Superlatives

Player of the Year: Axel Garza, Edinburg Vela

Offensive Player of the Year: Danny Canul, McAllen Memorial

Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Jediah Rivens and Zion Rodriguez, Weslaco East

Utility Player of the Year: EJ Avelar, Edinburg Vela

Co-Newcomers of the Year: Jordan Bustamante, Edinburg Vela and Raul Palacios, Edinburg North

Coach of the Year: Lucio Rodriguez, Edinburg Vela

The Monitor’s All-Area First Team

Trey Ashley, Alamo Christian Macedonian; D’Aundre Canada, McAllen High; Noah Cazares, Weslaco High; Joseph Cruz, Edinburg North; Joe Gonzalez, La Joya Palmview Caden Keller, McAllen Memorial; JP Olivarez, Edinburg Vela; Mando Trevino, McAllen Memorial; Leo Villarreal, La Joya High; Mario Villegas, McAllen High.

The Monitor’s All-Area Second Team

Pete Cantu, Weslaco High; Nathaniel De La Garza, Edinburg Economedes; EJ Garza, Weslaco East; Mason Lopez, PSJA North; Alex Martinez, Weslaco East; Diego Martinez, Rio Grande City; Axel Navarro, Edinburg High; Isaac Rios, Mission High; Diego Serrano, Mission Veterans; Julian Valdez, Sharyland Pioneer.

Offensive Player of the Year – Danny Canul, McAllen Memorial

McAllen Memorial senior forward Danny Canul began his high school career as The Monitor’s 2020-21 All-Area Boys Basketball Newcomer of the Year.

After an up-and-down three years since then that included missing his junior season due to UIL transfer rules, Canul is going out as The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Offensive Player of the Year.

“It’s been a long journey. There was some waiting involved but it was all worth it in the end,” Canul said. “I just had to keep persevering through those times and stay focused and good things came out of it. … It was memorable. I did get to play in double-digit playoff games, which is something not a lot of people get to do. I’m grateful and thankful.

Canul led a talented McAllen Memorial team with experience and scored with ease on the inside, from mid-range and his specialty, from beyond the arc. He was one of the area’s top 3-point shooters with 92 makes from deep for a 45% shooting percentage. He averaged 17.7 points per game, 6.1 boards, 2.3 assists and 2.7 steals.

Canul, who was named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches UIL Class 5A All-Region team, helped lead the Mustangs to a 29-8 overall record and into the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year – Jediah Rivens and Zion Rodriguez, Weslaco East

Weslaco East had one of the toughest defensive units this past season, and guards Jediah Rivens and Zion Rodriguez, The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Co-Defensive Players of the Year, were a large part of the reason why.

The Wildcats limited opponents to 40 points or less in 14 games this season. Rivens used his quickness to match up with guards, and length and leaping ability to match up with posts. Rodriguez stayed locked on his man for 32 minutes to come up with steals and turn them into easy buckets on the other end.

Rivens and Rodriguez led Weslaco East to the program’s first district championship in 14 years with a 26-9 overall record and 17-1 mark in District 32-5A play.

Utility Player of the Year – EJ Avelar, Edinburg Vela

Edinburg Vela senior guard EJ Avelar did whatever it took for the SaberCats, and it helped elevate his team.

He played a key role in Edinburg Vela’s 36-6 overall record, an undefeated District 31-5A championship and trip to the Region IV-5A final, averaging 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He also was named District 31-5A’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Often, he was tasked with manning up against a tough defensive assignment and delivered whenever his number was called offensively to earn The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Utility Player of the Year honor.

“Before the game, I would just thank my team for letting me guard the other team’s best player and trusting my ability to handle the test that I was given. I went into every game wanting to do it, willing to do it, having the mentality that I’m going to stop this guy to give my team the best chance to win,” Avelar said.

Co-Newcomers of the Year – Jordan Bustamante, Edinburg Vela and Raul Palacios, Edinburg North

Edinburg Vela’s Jordan Bustamante and Edinburg North’s Raul Palacios splashed onto the scene with outstanding first years competing at the varsity level this season to split The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Co-Newcomer of the Year honor.

Vela sophomore Bustamante came off the bench, provided an immediate boost to the SaberCats’ lineup and often finished games on the floor thanks to his scoring ability and high IQ.

“I started feeling it in the first scrimmage we had. I was feeling pretty nervous, but just playing the offense that we play, playing smart, I found it easy to score in ways I like to score,” Bustamante said. “I just wanted to help make it a special year and I think we did that going undefeated in district, winning 22 straight, going deep in the playoffs, those were my goals this year.”

He averaged 11.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and played well during the postseason with nine or more points in all five of the SaberCats’ playoff games.

North freshman Palacios started for the Cougars out of the gate and proved to be one of the area’s top shooters during his first season. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and hit 71 3-pointers on the season for a 39% shooting percentage from long range.

“It was different because you usually don’t see a freshman doing all that in a game, but my teammates trusted me and when we had big shots they gave it to me,” Palacios said. “When other teams saw a freshman they didn’t take me serious, but going through the season, the more film people watched, the harder they guarded me and it was more competitive from beginning to end.

Edinburg North won a share of the District 31-6A championship and advanced to the area round of the Class 6A playoffs, with Palacios scoring 16 points in his first postseason game.

Coach of the Year – Lucio Rodriguez, Edinburg Vela

Edinburg Vela head coach Lucio Rodriguez is The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season after leading the SaberCats to a third straight district title and into the regional final round of the UIL Class 5A state playoffs.

He coached Vela to a 36-6 overall record and a third consecutive district championship with an 18-0 record in 31-5A competition, and they went five rounds deep into the playoffs, becoming the Valley’s first team to reach a regional final in three years.

Rodriguez credits his players for buying into the game plan and executing, which resulted in four playoff wins over Harlingen South, Laredo Nixon, Sharyland Pioneer and San Antonio Wagner, with a trip to this year’s regional championship against San Antonio Veterans.

“After every game, I would remind them how appreciative I was of them to put their trust in me because I know that’s hard,” Rodriguez said. “I would ask them the same question you asked me, I don’t know why y’all believe in what we do here, but I’m super grateful, I’m super appreciative and that’s what keeps me working for those young men. Anything that was asked of those young men, they were a ‘yes sir, no sir’ kind of group, and I’m just so thankful for the type of kids that we get.”

The post The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Honors appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Teams and Superlatives

Most Valuable Player: JJ Salazar, Los Fresnos

Offensive Player of the Year: Julian Johnson, San Perlita

Defensive Player of the Year: Esiah Gracia, Santa Maria

Sub-5A Player of the Year: Cleveland Smith, Port Isabel

Utility Player of the Year: Keyan Lopez, Rio Hondo

Newcomer of the Year: Nick Zarate, Brownsville Jubilee

Coach of the Year: Johnny Cipriano, Santa Maria

The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star’s All-Area First Team

Miguel Alaniz, Santa Maria; Pablo Castaneda, Brownsville Veterans; David De La Cruz, Santa Rosa; Beto Galazra, Brownsville Hanna; Gio Galvan, Los Fresnos; Ruben Gonzalez, Harlingen High; Luis Rodriguez, Harlingen High; Christian Smith, Port Isabel; Jeffery Smith, Port Isabel; Ricky Tijerina, Brownsville Pace.

The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star’s All-Area Second Team

Jason Aleman, Santa Maria; Ruben Atkinson, Rio Hondo; Lucas Cristiano, Brownsville St. Joseph; Isaiah Cuellar, Brownsville Rivera; Jacob Garza, Raymondville; Pablo Guevara, Harlingen South; Evan Lopez, La Feria; Jordan Matamoros, Brownsville Hanna; Andrew Munoz, Los Fresnos; Gilbert Rodriguez, Brownsville Lopez.

Offensive Player of the Year – Julian Johnson, San Perlita

San Perlita’s Julian Johnson displayed his versatility as a scorer with the ability to get buckets from anywhere on the court during his junior season to earn The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Offensive Player of the Year.

Johnson led San Perlita to an undefeated District 32-1A championship and was named the district’s most valuable player.

“At the beginning of the year, we had a lot of people that counted us out so we had to make this our year. We went out and brought the district title back home,” Johnson said. “I love to drive, take my guy off the dribble, kicking it out to my shooters, always moving.”

The 6-foot-4 guard upped his game in the postseason with a bi-district victory over D’Hanis, an area-round win over Richards, and a 21-point, 12-rebound, eight-assist game against Rocksprings during a regional quarterfinal.

Johnson also was named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 1A Region IV All-Region Team.

Defensive Player of the Year – Esiah Gracia, Santa Maria

Santa Maria’s Esiah Gracia played a key role for the Cougars on the road to the Region IV-2A tournament for the first time in program history.

The senior guard hit some big shots during Santa Maria’s postseason run, but his ability to stick to opposing scoring threats like glue is what garnered Gracia The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year honor.

Gracia, who was on the TABC Class 2A Region IV All-Region team, helped the Cougars capture the District 32-2A title with an unbeaten record in league play before picking up postseason wins over Three Rivers, Johnson City, San Antonio Lee Academy and Sabine Pass.

Sub-5A Player of the Year – Cleveland Smith, Port Isabel

Port Isabel junior point guard Cleveland Smith was the maestro of the Tarpons’ high-level attack this season to finish as The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s Sub-5A Player of the Year.

Smith piloted Port Isabel to its second consecutive District 32-4A championship and helped put together a 22-game winning streak that spanned two and a half months.

“I told myself every single game I just want to hustle on the court. I don’t really care about scoring, I don’t really care about that, I care about winning,” Smith said. “I just want to win. I have the mindset to win and I’ll do anything it costs. If it’s rebounds, assists, passing the ball, I just wanted to be the point guard I was.”

Some the brightest moments of Smith’s junior campaign included knocking down five 3-pointers in a 90-58 bi-district playoff win over Alice and a triple-double against Brownsville Jubilee with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals.

The Port Isabel junior point guard also was named to the TABC Class 4A Region IV All-Region team.

Utility Player of the Year – Keyan Lopez, Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo’s Keyan Lopez did it all for the Bobcats during the 2023-24 season to help the program raise its first district championship trophy in 10 years and finishes as The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Utility Player of the Year.

“I worked really hard this past offseason, so it feels go to see it come together and get something that shows how hard I’ve worked,” Lopez said. “It’s an honor to be trusted whenever the team needs me. It’s really an honor and I’m just glad they have the faith in me to get us where we need to be.”

Lopez routinely filled the stat sheet as an all-around threat that could score with the state’s best while also locking down defensively.

He earned Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Basketball Player of the Week honors after dropping 43 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and nine steals during a 92-54 win over Monte Alto on Jan. 17.

Lopez was also a member of the TABC Class 3A Region IV All-Region team.

Newcomer of the Year – Nick Zarate, Brownsville Jubilee

Brownsville Jubilee’s Nick Zarate made an instant impact for the Titans during his freshman year to earn The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Newcomer of the Year honor.

The 6-foot, 5-inch first-year forward led the Titans in four stat categories with 22.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2 blocks per game. He also was second on the team with two assists per game.

“After my second game I started seeing double teams,” Zarate said. “It was a good season, but I feel I could have done better. I just want to take this team far in the playoffs.”

Zarate used his size inside to score in the paint but also displayed shooting ability with 40 made 3-pointers on the year. He finished with three games with 30 or more points and had eight games with 14 or more rebounds. He helped Brownsville Jubilee get back into the postseason.

Coach of the Year – Johnny Cipriano, Santa Maria

Santa Maria head coach Johnny Cipriano is The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to a District 32-2A championship and into the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

The Class 2A Cougars struggled out of the gate with a 4-12 record playing up against teams from Class 3A to Class 6A in non-district action, but that experience is what built Santa Maria into a battle-tested squad that went on to reach the fifth round of the playoffs. They finished the season 20-13 and won 16 straight games before their loss in the Class 2A regional championship.

“The first part of the season was a bumpy road going through a lot of ups and downs,” Cipriano said. “Once we got into the playoffs, we were able to execute defensively and hitting from the outside. Going from the beginning of the season, watching their faces, their disappointment in losing games, and then after every playoff game, watching the smiles on their faces — as a coach it was just fulfilling and fun. We had a great group of kids this year that went to practice everyday and did exactly what we asked them to do.”

Santa Maria upset a few teams during its postseason run with wins over Three Rivers, Johnson City, San Antonio Lee Academy and Sabine Pass.

The post The Herald/Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Honors appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela senior forward Axel Garza was the focal point of an outstanding SaberCats squad that won the District 31-5A championship with an unbeaten record in league play and went on to reach the Region IV-5A final round of the playoffs, the Valley’s first team to do so in three years.

The 6-foot, 4-inch Garza was a versatile threat that won all over the court. His size allowed him to win battles inside while also having the ability to step outside to hit from long-range. His ball skills helped him break defenders down to get to the rim or stop on the dime to knock down a mid-range shot with a soft touch.

After leading the SaberCats during a strong senior season, Garza is The Monitor’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

“This means a lot. I grew up watching my cousins play, and I never missed a game. I was always there, always looking up to them,” Garza said. “I wanted that. I always told myself I wanted to be better than them, and it’s just family love. Seeing those guys do their thing inspired me to do better, and I’m glad I went out like this.”

The SaberCats went 36-6 and set a record with 36 wins, the program’s most in a single season. Vela also went 18-0 in district play and put together a 22-game winning streak.

Garza played a major role in helping the SaberCats make it happen.

He averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, all team highs. He also dished out 2.3 assists per game as a willing passer who used the defensive attention focused on him to find open teammates in scoring position.

He scored 19 points a game during Vela’s run to the regional final round of the playoffs that included wins over Harlingen South, Laredo Nixon, Sharyland Pioneer and San Antonio Wagner before a Round 5 loss against San Antonio Veterans.

“It’s not too often Valley teams reach that level. I think there was just a common goal in that locker room that we were going to play for each other no matter what the score was,” Garza said. “At the end of the day, we went out as a team and there’s nothing more you can ask for. It was a great run.”

Garza’s biggest performance of the postseason came in a 28-point, nine rebound outing against Laredo Nixon, a 66-60 area-round win. He also scored 10 fourth-quarter points against San Antonio Wagner to help lift the SaberCats to a 57-46 victory in a regional semifinal in San Antonio.

“That Sweet 16 game against Wagner, I went into the fourth quarter with, like, eight points and ended up with 18. Whenever my team needed a bucket I just wanted to be there for them and give them that encouragement,” he said. “My coaches gave me the confidence to come to me when we needed a bucket, and that’s what I tried doing.”

Garza also was named a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star and to the TABC UIL Class 5A All-Region team, in addition to earning District 31-5A Most Valuable Player and RGV Basketball Coaches Association Class 5A MVP honors during his senior season with the SaberCats.

The post Edinburg Vela’s Garza is The Monitor’s Player of the Year appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

LOS FRESNOS — Los Fresnos guard JJ Salazar left it all on the floor during his senior season to take home The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023-24 All-Area Boys Basketball Most Valuable Player honors.

Salazar averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals a game to lead the Falcons to a 27-10 overall record and a share of the District 32-6A championship, the program’s seventh in 10 years.

And he did it all on one leg.

Salazar suffered a tear to his posterior cruciate ligament during football season, which forced him into a wrap and brace the entire basketball season.

That didn’t stop Salazar from consistently being one of the first players to hit the floor for loose balls, running back on defense to try to disrupt a shot attempt or flying to the rim and attacking the basket on the offensive end.

The four-year letterman Salazar was also named District 32-6A’s Most Valuable Player.

He finishes his Los Fresnos career averaging 15.7 points, six rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals and one block per game.

The post Los Fresnos’ Salazar named Herald/Star MVP appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

 

 

The post RGV Baseball Regional Quarterfinal Playoff Schedule – 5/16/24 – 5/18/24 appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

The La Joya High Coyotes, Lyford Bulldogs and Weslaco High Panthers all battled for Game 3 victories on Saturday to win their area round playoff series and earn their spot in next week’s regional quarterfinals. 

La Joya and Weslaco will now meet in the Region IV-6A quarterfinals in an RGV vs. RGV matchup, while Lyford advances to Round 3 to square off against state-ranked Corpus Christi London. Here’s how they earned their way into the regional quarterfinals.

CLASS 6A

LA JOYA HIGH 15, SAN ANTONIO BRENNAN 5: At Laredo, the Coyotes used a seven-run fifth-inning to cruise past the Bears in six innings to win Game 3 of their area round playoff series Saturday at Veterans Field.

Rolando Solis and Alfonso Balboa both had three RBI apiece while Roel Garcia led the way with 3-for-3 hitting and two RBI. Lucas Zambrano also drove in two for La Joya.

Pitcher Nick Balderas received the win after allowing four earned runs off one hit and four walks with four strikeouts. Edwin Zuniga finished with 1 2/3 innings of relief to earn the save, giving up just one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

The Coyotes are now set to make the program’s third regional quarterfinal appearance in four seasons.

Next for La Joya (19-14-1) is Weslaco High (25-9-1) in Round 3. Game details are to be announced.

 

WESLACO HIGH 9, EAGLE PASS 8: At Weslaco, the Panthers won a Game 3 thriller in walk-off fashion Saturday at Weslaco High School to advance to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Trailing 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers plated six runs to cut the lead to 7-6. Weslaco turned five hits and two walks into six on the scoreboard off a bases loaded walk by Diego Castillo, a two-run single to center by Stone Gomez, a two-run double by Ryan Everitt and an RBI single by Gael Villareal.

Eagle Pass tacked on one more run in the top of the sixth, but Weslaco had one more big inning in them with three outs to play with.

The Panthers loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on singles from Castillo and Gomez and a walk by Toby Perez. Ryan Everitt then drew a five-pitch walk to bring one run across for an 8-7 game, Gael Villareal hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Gomez to tie things at 8-8, and John Reyna sliced a tricky hopper to third that was mishandled to score Perez for the game-winner.

Weslaco (25-9-1) moves on to face La Joya (19-14-1) in Round 3. Game details are to be announced.

 

CLASS 3A

LYFORD 3, GOLIAD 2: At Hebbronville, all three of the Bulldogs’ second-round playoff games against the Tigers were decided by one run, but Lyford finished on top in the decisive Game 3 on Saturday at Hebbronville High School to win a nail-biter of a series.

The second round playoff win by Lyford is the program’s first in 30 years.

Starting pitcher Diego Medina delivered for the Bulldogs with a complete-game effort, allowing two earned runs off nine hits and one walk while striking out two.

Lyford held a 1-0 lead entering the top of the seventh and scored two on an RBI double by Isaias Gonzalez to score Aiden Olivas-Romo from second and an RBI groundout by Jacob Reyna to make it 3-0.

Goliad’s seventh-inning comeback fell short despite a bases-loaded two-run single with one out. A flyout to left field and a groundout to Medina ended the game, sending Lyford into next week’s regional quarterfinals.

The Bulldogs (21-9) will meet Corpus Christi London (24-3) in a best-of-three third round series. Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi. Game 2 and 3, if necessary, will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.

The post Roundup: La Joya, Lyford and Weslaco punch tickets to Round 3 appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

McALLEN — The McAllen Memorial Mustangs are headed to the regional quarterfinal round of the state playoffs for the first time in 34 years after defeating Corpus Christi Veterans 7-5 in Game 3 of their Region IV-5A area round playoff series Saturday at McAllen Memorial High School.

The Mustangs (22-12) won Game 1 of the series 4-1 on Thursday in Corpus Christi before dropping Game 2, 12-4, on Saturday afternoon to set up the decisive Game 3 Saturday evening.

“It was a dog-fight, man and it says a lot about our guys,” McAllen Memorial head coach Roque Cortinas said. “We got beat pretty bad that second game, but we re-grouped and came back and that’s what we’ve been doing recently.”

McAllen Memorial will now meet crosstown rival McAllen High in the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Game details are to be determined.

Memorial used a five-run fifth inning to storm past CC Veterans for a 6-3 lead after five. The Mustangs added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and the Eagles scored twice in the bottom half of the inning to make it a 7-5 ballgame. 

“I think that was our last boost of energy we had. We let it out right there and we needed every run to win the game,” Cortinas said.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher RJ Rios hadn’t made any appearances in the last month but he was lights out on Saturday in 6 1/3 innings of work to help lift the Mustangs to victory. Sophomore Kane Coy earned the save with two outs and one strikeout in the bottom of the seventh as CC Veterans served as the home team in Game 3.

“Nobody better to get that job done. That kid is resilient, works his butt off and hasn’t played much at all because we have some upperclassmen that pitch a lot for us, but he got the call and he was ready,” Cortinas said about Rios.

“I’m feeling ecstatic,” Rios said. “There’s a lot of dogs behind me and I was just going up there trying to put the ball in the zone and let my defense make some plays. This is a special group. It’s been a ride and it’s not over yet.”

The post McAllen Memorial surges past CC Veterans to win area round series appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

McALLEN — McAllen High and La Joya Palmview entered the seventh inning of Game 3 of their area round playoff series tied at one run apiece.

The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the home half of the seventh and third baseman Max Villarreal drilled a ball to deep left center with two outs to bring in the game-winning run for a 2-1 walk-off victory Saturday at McAllen High School to win the best-of-three series 2-1.

The Bulldogs (22-13) will meet McAllen Memorial in next week’s Class 5A regional quarterfinal in a third round playoff matchup of crosstown rivals. Game details are to be determined. La Joya Palmview’s season ends at 28-5-1 overall.

“The last two or three weeks, we’ve started to peak offensively and defensively. It’s been like a roller coaster, but it’s going up, and I’m real proud of the way the kids hung in there,” McHi head coach Eliseo Pompa said. “You’re the home team, you get two men on base, you know you got a chance. When you have the bases loaded and there’s two outs, you start thinking we need a big hit, and with two strikes, what can you ask for from a 17-18 year old kid? Max just came through and he’s done it for us all year. We played a great team in Palmview with great kids and great coaches. It was a heck of a series.”

Palmview drew first blood on an inside the park home run to right field by Joseph Martinez to lead off the top of the third inning. 

McHi’s Zata Zaragosa tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single on a hard grounder to left field in the bottom of the fourth.

Martinez, who was also on the bump for the Lobos, pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs, none earned, off five hits and five walks while striking out five.

McHi pitcher Fernie Olivarez matched him with a strong outing for the Bulldogs with one earned run off three hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Eric Alonzo entered in the top of the seventh and picked up the win with a pair of strikeouts to end the frame.

That led to Villarreal stepping up in a big way with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, sending McHi into Round 3 for the first time since 2018. 

“We had to fight. We had to have the desire to win, never gave up, kept our heads up and fought hard,” Villarreal said. “I just wanted to stay calm and composed in that situation. Stay calm and have your trust in God.”

The post McHi walks it off in area round against Palmview appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site

MISSION — The La Joya Palmview Lobos won a back-and-forth battle 6-5 against McAllen High in Game 2 of their best-of-three Region IV-5A area round playoff series Friday at La Joya Palmview High School to tie the series at 1-1.

Game 3 between the Lobos and Bulldogs is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at McAllen High School with a spot in the regional quarterfinals on the line.

Herminio Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run to lead Palmview at the plate. Jacob Martinez finished 2-for-2 with two RBI, one walk and one run.

Palmview pitcher Mateo Garcia went 6 2/3 innings and allowed five runs, three earned, off 10 hits and one walk while striking out eight.

McHi’s Max Villarreal, Maddox Braxton and Austin Ramos all had two hits apiece. Braxton, Eric Alozno, Aaron Cortez and Luis Esquivel drove in one run each.

The winner of Saturday’s Game 3 between Palmview and McHi advances to the regional quarterfinals to face the winner of McAllen Memorial and Corpus Christi Veterans’ area round playoff series.

AREA ROUNDUP

CLASS 6A

LA JOYA HIGH 3, SAN ANTONIO BRENNAN 0: At San Antonio, the Coyotes defeated the Bears on Friday to even their best-of-three playoff series at 1-1.

The Coyotes (20-14-1) scored two runs in the sixth on a bases loaded RBI groundout by Homer Munoz and a Roel Garcia RBI single.

La Joya pitcher Santiago Tijerina tossed a complete game shutout with three hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. 

Game 3 between La Joya and Brennan is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Field in Laredo.

CLASS 5A

BROWNSVILLE VETERANS 2, RIO GRANDE CITY 0: At Rio Grande City, the Chargers won Game 2 against the Rattlers to earn the series sweep Friday at Rio Grande City High School. Brownsville Veterans advances to the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs for the first time in program history to face the winner of Sharyland Pioneer and Victoria East’s area round series.

Brownsville Veterans’ Fonzy Bueno topped Rio Grande City’s Julio Saenz in a pitcher’s duel as the two combined to allow just seven hits in the seven-inning game.

Bueno pitched a complete game shutout allowing four hits and three walks with four strikeouts to lead the Chargers. Bueno also went 1-for-3 with one RBI at the plate, while Oscar Rodriguez and Jose Martinez had one hit each.

RGC’s Saenz went all seven innings and gave up two runs, one earned, off three hits and four walks while striking out four.

Brownsville Veterans improves to 25-4-2 overall, while Rio Grande City’s season ends at 18-14-1.

The post Area Roundup: Palmview edges McHi to even series appeared first on MyRGV.com.

This post was originally published on this site