By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Behind every successful tennis player is a caring mother.

That statement, while perhaps not accurate in all circumstances, certainly applies to Arturo Gutierrez of IDEA Frontier.

The standout senior tennis player is competing at the UIL state tournament starting at 8 a.m. today at Texas A&M in College Station.

Gutierrez started playing the sport at age 10, and his biggest supporter for eight years now has been his mother, Olivia Bedolla.

“My mom has always been there for me,” Gutierrez said. “She’s the one who has taken me to tournaments and she’s the one who pushes me every time to practice.”

Gutierrez is advancing to state for the first time and will play in the Class 3A boys singles.

“It feels great to be going to the state tournament after all these years of practicing,” Gutierrez said. “All that practice has paid off. I’m glad I made it my senior year, and now I’m going to try my best and give it my all.”

Gutierrez won two matches to take first place at the recent District 32-3A tournament. He then competed last month at the Region IV-3A tournament at San Marcos, where he won three matches and lost one to finish as a runner-up. The top two finishers in each division at the regional level qualified for state.

“I’m sure the competition will be difficult at state, but I’m not intimidated,” he said. “I have to focus, not be nervous and just understand that I’m there for a reason. If I could do well up there, it would mean a lot to me. It would help my self-esteem and prove to me that I’m not just an ordinary athlete.”

Gutierrez is coached by Jerry De La Garza, who also coaches boys soccer at IDEA Frontier.

“Coaching Arturo these past couple of years has been a pleasure,” De La Garza said. “He is a hard worker who polishes his skills every chance he gets. This (school) year he went to state in cross country, regionals in track and now state for tennis. This is due to the immense dedication he has. He strives to be the best in everything he does. He is an asset to the school and a great example for all of our athletes.”

The Frontier senior said he is grateful for the guidance of his coach.

“He’s helped me get this chance to go to state,” Gutierrez said. “With my coach’s help, hard work has paid off, it really has. I’m thankful to God for this opportunity.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

More than ever before, Samantha Ruiz was there for the Lopez Lady Lobos this soccer season.
She is the clear choice as The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro MVP for the girls season just completed.
As a senior team captain and valued leader, the four-year starter at center midfielder was an important reason behind her squad’s success.
In 2016, the Lady Lobos were district champions for the second time in three years and advanced to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
All the while, just as she had done the three previous years, Ruiz was at the center of action, creating opportunities for her teammates and scoring goals. She finished the season with 27 goals, including 19 in District 32-6A competition, along with eight assists.
“We will dearly miss Sam,” Lady Lobos coach Alex Macias said. “She brought intensity and leadership when she stepped onto the pitch. Sam’s ability to take the team on her shoulders at times and her persistence to be at a higher level was impressive. I believe the other coaches saw that in her, and that’s why she was chosen the overall MVP in 32-6A and selected as the best player in the Metro area. She’s a very humble person and always trying to help and fill in gaps on the field where they are needed.
“I guess that I’ll miss her charisma the most. As her coach, she’s funny and fun to be with, but yet she’s very serious about the game. She’s earned every recognition that she gets.”
Ruiz said she treasures her time playing for the Lady Lobos.
“It’s been an honor, especially to play for Coach Macias,” said Ruiz, who is scheduled to sign with Texas A&M International University of Laredo on Tuesday. “It’s been great to be with a group of girls who love the game as I do and who understand it. That’s all I could ever ask for.”
Fittingly, it was Ruiz who converted a penalty kick against Brownsville Veterans Memorial on March 15 to lift her team to a 1-0 overtime victory that clinched the 32-6A championship for the Lady Lobos on the final night of district action.
And now, she’s the All-Metro MVP with a lot of soccer still ahead in college.
“It’s feels good to receive an award like this, and it makes me feel that I’ve accomplished something,” Ruiz said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to get because it’s my last year of high school and it means so much to me. I want to continue with the same determination and heart (in college).”
The Lopez standout, who plans to study psychology in college, said she is grateful for the influence of her parents, Juan Carlos and Irma Ruiz.
“My role model is my dad,” Ruiz said. “He’s always supported me in soccer and been behind me every step of the way no matter what I do. I look up to him, not only because he’s my dad, but because of the kind of man he is and for what he’s done to influence my life in a good manner. He’s the one who introduced me to soccer, and ever since then, I haven’t let go of it.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Porter has received a double distinction to cap a memorable season of soccer.

The Southmost school boasts the boys and girls coaches of the year on The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro Soccer Team.

Jose Espitia guided his 28-0-1 squad to Porter’s second Class 5A state championship last month in Georgetown, while Abraham Gracia directed the 15-8-4 Cowgirls to the playoffs for the first time since the UIL girls sport started at Porter in 1997. The boys started playing UIL soccer in 1983.

It was quite a remarkable season for each soccer program.

While going to the playoffs is pretty much a tradition for the Cowboys, Gracia hopes to make it an annual event as well now for the Cowgirls, who had come close to the postseason several times before but never qualified.

“Our girls did an awesome job this year,” said Gracia, who just completed his eighth season directing the Cowgirls. “They were committed, they were dedicated and they were everything you could ask for in a team. They were one of the hardest-working groups I’ve had. It meant a lot to see us go to the playoffs. There were a lot of hard years that went into it. That was my goal for the team when I first got hired.

“There were times I felt like giving up, but thanks to assistant coaches and others, it kept me going because sometimes things were tough. Actually, coaches at the other Brownsville schools have helped me a lot, too.”

Gracia, who is assisted by Ricardo Salazar, said he is honored to be selected as the All-Metro girls coach of the year.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “It shows hard work pays off. More than anything, it’s our girls. They’re the ones who deserve the recognition. Getting to the playoffs was enough for me, and this makes it so much better.”

The Cowgirls finished second in District 32-5A with a 10-4 record and 33 points. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling 2-1 in overtime to Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. The Cowgirls defeated Valley View 3-0 in bi-district.

There are nine starters returning.

“We’re just looking forward to next year,” Gracia said.

Espitia just completed his ninth season at the helm for Porter, which won the District 32-5A title with a 14-0 record and 42 points.

2016 was his most memorable showing yet as the Cowboys won seven games in the playoffs en route to capturing the 5A state title April 16 in Georgetown. It took a 10-9 edge in penalty kicks to give the 32-5A champion Cowboys a 3-2 victory against highly regarded and previously undefeated Frisco Wakeland in the state final.

“It was a magical season in every aspect,” said Espitia, who is assisted by Eddie Buentello, Adrian Navarro and Antonio Serrano. “Everything that we as coaches told the players was going to happen, happened. Little by little, everything fell into place since the beginning of the season. Our guys were very focused on what they wanted. We saw winning state as a thing of destiny and we told the players that no one was going to take it away from us. We just had that feeling. It had a lot to do with the faith we had in our players, our team and in God. Our guys were united and they gelled together to have the perfect season. It was a magical one that I’m always going to remember.”

Earlier this month, Espitia was named 5A boys coach of the year for Region IV by the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches. Also, Buentello was chosen 5A boys assistant coach of the year for Region IV by TASCO.

“Any recognition we get (as coaches) is a reflection of how well our teams do,” Espitia said. “It just shows how good our players are and how hard they work. Yes, the coaches put a lot of work into it, but we all have to work together, and it has to be a team effort. The head coach gets credit for something like this, but it’s really a total team effort with support from the administration, the teachers, the parents and everyone, really.

“Everything just fell into place for us. Now we’re enjoying it, and hopefully we can do it again next year.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Things went about as well as anyone could have ever imagined this soccer season for Alexis Armendariz, The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro boys MVP.

Not only did the standout junior forward for the Porter Cowboys win a Class 5A state championship, he was named the 5A boys MVP at state after scoring both of his team’s goals during regulation in the title game against Frisco Wakeland on April 16 at Georgetown.

It was a championship match in which the 28-0-1 Cowboys prevailed via penalty kicks 10-9 as Armendariz was one of the 10 players for Porter who converted his PK attempt to provide a dramatic 3-2 victory against the previously unbeaten and highly regarded Wolverines (25-1-1).

And now, after recently earning overall MVP honors in District 32-5A, Armendariz is the top player on the All-Metro boys squad. He led his team with 31 goals this season and also finished with 17 assists.

“It’s a beautiful feeling to receive such an award,” Armendariz said. “I wasn’t really expecting it to happen quite this way. For any soccer player to receive recognition like this, it’s truly a blessing, so I am very thankful to God.”

Armendariz said it’s been by far the most eventful time of his life as a soccer player.

“For me, this was the best soccer season I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “It was unforgettable. No matter the obstacles we encountered, we were able to prevail and continue forward toward winning the state title. First of all, it was thanks to the help of God. I think the faith we had was the main reason (for our success). Besides faith in God, we had faith in every player on the team, and that helped us achieve what we achieved.

“We had a very strong unity and that helped us have a great team, one with friendships that were built among the players and coaches.”

Porter coach Jose Espitia said Armendariz first came up to the varsity squad as a sophomore in 2015 and played midfielder.

“Alexis had the skills last season, he just needed a little more body strength and conditioning,” Espitia said. “After working the whole season (in 2015) and then going through the offseason with us, he was able to develop his explosiveness. He matured, got a little bit stronger and became smarter with the ball. Alexis has that drive (to score) inside of him. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Alexis kept scoring a lot of goals for us, so we ended up moving him from midfielder to forward.

“He always seemed to be the one opening up the scoring in our games, many times in clutch situations. By the time the (2016) playoffs came around, he was our go-to guy. If he wasn’t scoring, he would be setting things up for a teammate (to score).”

The Porter coach said with Armendariz on the field, it became much easier for the Cowboys to win.

“Alexis wasn’t one of our team captains, but he was a leader for us on and off the field,” Espitia said. “He’s a youth pastor at one of the local churches, so he’d lead us in prayer. He was a big part of our team’s faith.”

Having just completed his junior season, Armendariz said he can’t wait for the 2017 campaign to begin.

“Now we’re anxious for next season,” he said. “We want to defend our state title. Next year will be my last season at Porter, so I want to win state again.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

EDINBURG — The baseball season came to an all-too-soon finish for the Los Fresnos Falcons on Friday.

The Laredo Alexander Bulldogs eliminated Los Fresnos from the Class 6A playoffs by defeating the Falcons 3-1 in Friday’s Game 2 to sweep the two teams’ best-of-three, area-round series at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Baseball Stadium.

The District 29-6A champion Bulldogs (22-7) opened the series with Thursday’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory against the District 32-6A runner-up Falcons (23-6) at the UTRGV ballpark.

Alexander advances to the coming week’s third round of the 6A playoffs to play Edinburg High, a one-game, 10-run rule winner against Del Rio in another area-round matchup Friday.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “They battled hard and did everything we asked of them. That’s all you can ask of the ones who play for you. They did a great job.”

The Falcons went up 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning when J.J. Sanchez hit into an infield play that caused him to be thrown out at first base for the second out of the frame. Also on the play, Mark Cortinas was able to come home from third base.

The Bulldogs, three-time 29-6A champions who advanced to the UIL state tournament last season, evened the score in the top of the third thanks to Sergio Macias’ RBI single to left field.

The game stayed tied until the top of the sixth when Alexander’s Aldo Buendia singled to left to plate a teammate from second base, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage.

Alexander made it 3-1 in the top of the seventh when Gabriel Perez hit into an infield sacrifice play for a put-out at first, but it enabled a run to come home from third.

“We’ve been preaching good pitching and playing solid defense all year long, and we pretty much got it in both games in this series,” Alexander coach Fernando Lemus said. “We did commit some errors tonight, which was kind of uncharacteristic for us, but we battled through it. We know our pitching is always going to keep us in the game, so we just have to be patient and look for those timely hits.”

Macias went the distance for the victory on the mound, tossing a one-hitter with eight strikeouts and one walk. Los Fresnos’ lone hit was a single to right field by Cortinas with one out in the seventh. The Bulldogs then turned a double play to end the game and sweep the series.

Alexander finished with five hits, all singles by five different batters. The Bulldogs committed three errors, while Los Fresnos made two.

Sanchez was the losing pitcher. He was relieved by Cristian Hernandez after giving up a walk to start the top of the seventh. Sanchez had eight strikeouts with five walks and two hit batsmen.

The game was halted briefly in the bottom of the seventh, just after Cortinas’ single to right, when the sprinkler system automatically turned on, spraying the players and umpire at the plate and those in the infield. The situation was quickly resolved and only served to momentarily delay the final outcome.

“Alexander hit the ball when they had to, and they grinded (out their runs) with what they did at the plate,” Morales said. “That’s why they’re a good ballclub.”

Lemus said the Falcons were a worthy opponent.

“This was a tight series,” the Alexander coach said. “Los Fresnos has a very good, young ballclub. We were real impressed with the way they carried themselves and the way they performed. A lot of credit goes to their pitchers and the team in general, really.”

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

EDINBURG — The Los Fresnos Falcons were looking good until the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Falcons were leading 2-0 after scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first, but the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs responded with three runs in the fifth en route to winning Game 1 of the best-of-three Class 6A area-round playoff series between the two teams 3-2 Thursday at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Baseball Field.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the UTRGV field. Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the same site.

District 29-6A champion Alexander improved to 21-7 on the season, while District 32-6A runner-up Los Fresnos slipped to 23-5.

“We just had one inning where they took some good cuts at our pitches (to score those three runs), and that’s baseball for you,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “We’re just going to come out in the next game with a lot of confidence and play as hard as we’ve been playing all season long. We’re going to believe in each other that we can get Game 2 and go from there.”

The Falcons took an early 2-0 advantage in the top of the first thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly to right field by Mark Cortinas and an RBI double to the left-field wall by Nate Reyna.

Then came the bottom of the fifth. Alexander’s Julian Hinojosa hit a double to center field that plated the Bulldogs’ first run.

Teammates Aldo Buendia and Jesus Abrego each followed with RBI singles later in the inning to put the Bulldogs ahead to stay 3-2.

Buendia went the distance to record the pitching win with six strikeouts, no walks and one hit batsman.

Los Fresnos’ Nicholas Montemayor went the distance in taking the loss with three strikeouts and three walks.

Led by Reyna’s 2-for-2 batting effort with a single and a double, the Falcons finished with six hits compared to five for the Bulldogs, whose hits were divided between five different batters.

The Falcons committed two errors, while the Bulldogs had none.

Alexander advanced to the area round of the playoffs with last week’s 11-0 bi-district win against Mission High. Los Fresnos advanced by sweeping a best-of-three bi-district series with Weslaco High 8-1 and 8-4.

The winner between Los Fresnos and Alexander moves on the the third round of the 6A playoffs to face Edinburg High or Del Rio.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

It was a day of multiple college signings at Hanna on Monday.

Five female athletes signed college scholarship agreements to compete in their chosen sports at the next level. Friends, family members, coaches and Brownsville ISD staff members were on hand to celebrate with the signees.

They included soccer players Priscilla Villarreal and Julissa Urbina (Wiley College in Marshall); volleyball players Pamela Ellis (Coastal Bend College in Beeville) and Bianca Olivares (St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla.); and golfer Alejandra Rodriguez (McLennan Community College in Waco).

It couldn’t get much better for Villarreal and Urbina, best friends since elementary school, who now continue their soccer careers together at Wiley.

“I’ve always wanted to play soccer in college, but I wasn’t sure I was good enough to go,” said Urbina, a skilled ball-handler who started four years in the midfield for the Lady Golden Eagles. “I’m just really glad to get this opportunity. I don’t think many girls get a chance like this. I worked so hard for it to happen.”

Urbina will study business/economics, while Villarreal, also a four-year starter who played primarily defense and some in the midfield, will pursue a degree in tourism/hospitality administration.

“I’m very excited because this is a dream come true,” Villarreal said. “It’s a new experience and my best friend is going with me. I didn’t really want to go by myself, so this is great. Being on the team at Hanna for four years trained me and gave me some good experiences (for what’s ahead). I’m glad I had them, and I thank God because I wouldn’t be here without Him.”

Ellis, a four-year starter at middle blocker and hitter, and Olivares, a two-year starter at setter, were vital contributors who helped the Lady Eagles reach the playoffs throughout their varsity careers.

“It’s very important to me to have my friends and parents here to see this big event (in my life),” said Ellis, who plans to study education and become a teacher. “It’s something I always wanted to happen, and I’m very blessed. I believe it’s going to be very different playing in college than it was here in high school. I just have to work harder and put myself out there so people can see what I can really do.”

The one going the farthest from home is Olivares as Shawnee is located in Central Oklahoma, just east of Oklahoma City.

“To play volleyball in college is something I’ve always dreamed of, and for it to be happening now is simply amazing to me,” said Olivares, who plans to study exercise science. “I know the game is faster at the college level, so I need to adapt to that. It’s going to be a whole new adventure for me.

“I would just say thank you to my parents and everyone who has helped me achieve my goal by signing to play in college.”

Rodriguez has been the heart of Hanna’s girls golf squad for four years. She barely missed qualifying for the UIL state tournament during regional competition last month in San Antonio.

“Alejandra has been my team captain for four years, so this is a pretty special day for me,” Hanna coach Adrian Garcia said of his standout senior.

Rodriguez plans to study physical therapy or pre-dentistry at McLennan Community College.

“It feels great because I’ve been playing golf since I was 7 — for 11 years now — and I knew this day would come,” Rodriguez said. “I knew I wanted to play golf for the rest of my life, and this is what I’m going to do (thanks to my signing to play in college). The competition is going to be tougher, so it’s a matter of who’s going to practice the most and who wants it more.”

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Alexis Anzures and Uriel Sepulveda, two key members of Porter’s state championship soccer team, will continue to play their sport in college thanks to Monday’s athletic scholarship signings.

The standout seniors put their names on scholarship agreements to play for Wiley College in Marshall in the presence of teammates, classmates, Brownsville ISD staff members, friends and family during a signing ceremony at Porter.

It was another feel-good moment following the Cowboys’ 3-2 victory in penalty kicks against Frisco Wakeland that enabled Porter (28-0-1) to claim its second Class 5A state title in soccer on April 16 in Georgetown.

“This (signing) is truly a blessing,” said Anzures, a four-year starter at attacking midfielder and forward. “We always dreamed about winning state for Porter since we were little kids, and we made it happen. Now the both of us going to college together and continuing to play soccer is like the best thing possible. Uriel is my brother. We just want to get over there and start playing as soon as we can. It’s what we love the most.”

Anzures plans to study kinesiology with an intention of becoming a coach, while Sepulveda, a defensive midfielder and three-year starter, will study electrical engineering.

“I feel we’re stronger (going there) together and there’s a higher chance we’re going to succeed,” said Sepulveda of joining his teammate at Wiley. “Since there are already ex-Porter players up there, we feel very comfortable going there.”

Sepulveda said one journey is ending and another is just beginning.

“Playing soccer for Porter is always going to stay in my heart,” he said. “My Cowboy pride is always going to be there and I’m never going to forget Porter. It’s where I’ve grown up, and look at the dreams we’ve made come true.”

“Ever since I was in middle school I wanted to play on this field (at Porter),” Anzures said. “It really hurt that we didn’t get to do what we wanted to do (by winning a state title) my freshman, sophomore and junior years. We went home crying on the bus sometimes.

“We told ourselves we were going to win state this year as seniors and we did it. I’m happy for what’s ahead, but at the same time, I’m sad to leave Porter.”

During his nine seasons as Porter’s coach, Jose Espitia has had 39 of his players sign to play in college.

“It’s a special feeling to see Uriel and Alexis sign because they’ve been with our team for four years,” Espitia said. “At the end of the day, besides all the wins, our main goal for our players is to see them go to college. I’m honored to have coached them and to see them reach their goal of winning a state championship. Now I get to see them go to college.

“I’m excited for these guys, but at the same time, there are mixed feelings because we’re losing two excellent players. I wish them all the best at the next level.”

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

MISSION — A marathon day of baseball ended better for the Kingsville King Brahmas than for the Port Isabel Tarpons.

The Class 4A best-of-three bi-district series between the two teams went the distance and a little more Saturday at Sharyland High with Kingsville winning Game 3 4-2 to keep its season alive and move on in the playoffs, while Port Isabel’s campaign came to an all-too-soon finish.

“It was hard (to lose Game 3),” Tarpons coach Robert Holland said. “We didn’t hit the ball as well as we did in the second game. Our pitcher (Antonio Garza) did well, but Kingsville just seemed to find the (open) holes (in the defense), and we didn’t. But that’s baseball. Our guys competed and I was proud — like we always are — of them. The guys battled, but it’s tough to lose. Somebody’s got to do it, and unfortunately, it was us.”

In Game 3, the Brahmas went on top 2-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning, highlighted by Nick Avelar’s RBI triple.

The Tarpons rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. The first one came on an RBI double by Mark Martinez and the second run was scored due to a throwing error on the Kingsville shortstop.

In the top of the sixth for Kingsville, back-to-back singles and a hit batsman loaded the bases before a passed ball allowed the Brahmas’ third run to score from third. A Tarpons error in the top of the seventh gave Kingsville another run to make it 4-2.

Saturday’s action began at 1 p.m. and the teams didn’t leave the ballpark until around 7:30 p.m.

“Me, my (young) children, the coaches and our players — they love baseball,” Brahmas coach Jeremy Wheeler said. “They could stay out there forever, so it really didn’t bother us a whole lot because we could stay and play all day and all night. It’s all we do.”

GAME 2: PORT ISABEL 8, KINGSVILLE KING 6

Earlier in the day, the District 32-4A co-champion Tarpons (18-6-1) evened the series at one win each by taking the Game 2 8-6 in nine innings, but the District 31-4A fourth-place Brahmas (16-10) were the ballclub that found success when it mattered most in Game 3.

Kingsville had taken the early advantage by winning the series opener 4-1 on Friday.

In Game 2, the Tarpons led 3-0 after three innings, but Kingsville erupted for a four-run fourth inning to go up 4-3. An RBI single by Port Isabel’s Jose Martinez in the top of the seventh enabled the Tarpons to tie it at 4 and send the contest to extra innings.

Port Isabel recorded four runs in the top of the ninth to lead 8-4 before the Brahmas came back with a pair of tallies in the bottom of the frame, but it was not enough to catch the Tarpons, and after a 30-minute break, the series went on to a Game 3.

“My pitcher (Mike Carrales) threw strikes (in Game 3) and got ahead in the count,” Wheeler said. “We got enough hits (and that helped). We didn’t do exactly what we should have done (by scoring more runs) because when you have 13 hits, you’d expect more runs, but we got enough runs to win it. That’s a good team over there (in Port Isabel).”

The Brahmas now advance to the coming week’s area round of the 4A playoffs to face Devine or Jourdanton.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

MISSION — Kingsville Brahmas pitcher Tyler Kieschnick introduced himself in a rather rude way to the Port Isabel Tarpons during the first game of the two teams’ Class 4A best-of-three, bi-district playoff series Friday at Sharyland High.

The sophomore right-hander threw a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts to lead the District 31-4A fourth-place Brahmas to a 4-1 victory over the District 32-4A co-champion Tarpons.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Sharyland High with the third game to follow, if necessary, 30 minutes afterward.

The winner of the series advances to next week’s area round of the 4A playoffs to face Jourdanton or Devine.

The Brahmas improved to 15-9 while the Tarpons fell to 17-5-1.

The Tarpons trailed 2-0 after two innings and 3-1 after three. The Brahmas added their final run in the top of the fifth.

“You’ve got to step up in the playoffs and that guy did,” Tarpons coach Robert Holland said of Kieschnick, who is the cousin of former Corpus Christi Carroll, UT-Austin and Chicago Cubs pitcher Brooks Kieschnick.

“We didn’t hit the ball, but that was due to their pitcher,” Holland added. “He did a good job. Our pitcher (Joaquin Patino) did a good job, too. We just had a couple of passed balls and errors (that hurt us). With two strikes, those guys stuck the ball (and that hurt us as well).

“We’ll be back tomorrow. That’s why you play three.”

Kieschnick, who went the distance to stay unbeaten on the season, wasn’t perfect, however. He issued seven walks and hit three batters with pitches.

But it was enough to get the job done for the Brahmas, who outhit the Tarpons 7-0. Each team committed three errors.

“My teammates put up some runs on the scoreboard and that helped me throw strikes,” Kieschnick said. “I trust them, and we were able to take the ballgame. This was my best game ever.”

Added first-year Brahmas coach Jeremy Wheeler, “Our guy threw a no-hitter, and that’s pretty hard to do in the playoffs. Great pitching was the difference for us. Tyler threw strikes, we had some timely hits and we got Game 1. It doesn’t really mean a whole lot yet, so let’s see what we can do in Game 2.”

Patino also went the distance in taking the loss and finished with seven strikeouts, one walk and one hit batsman.

Kieschnick logged his 14th strikeout with bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh. He opened the game by striking out the side in the bottom of the first.

“We’re coming with our better pitcher (Jose Martinez), a sophomore, so let’s see what happens tomorrow,” Holland said.