By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Albert Rodriguez is halfway to the century mark.
The Chargers’ coach earned his 50th career win, 7-1 over Mercedes on Friday.
Winning pitcher Justin Anaya threw six scoreless innings, striking out eight and allowing four hits. Anaya went 2-for-3 with two RBIs at the plate.
Shortstop Christian Holloway was 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, two RBIs, and two runs scored, and outfielder Rafael Capistran went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and a stolen base.
The district-leading Chargers (18-5-2, 9-1 32-5A) will play at Valley View tonight. The second-place Tigers (10-11-1, 7-3 32-5A) defeated Porter 2-1 on Friday.
Valley View moved up one spot in the standings after a 6-3 victory over Lopez last Tuesday. The Lobos defeated Pace 2-1 on Friday, and they will have their penultimate matchup against a city rival this season when they take on the Cowboys tonight.
All 32-5A games begin at 7 p.m. today.
Cardinals in control
Harlingen High completed a season sweep of Los Fresnos, winning 5-4 in Harlingen on Friday.
The Cardinals (16-9, 9-2 32-6A) are averaging a district-best 6.2 runs per game and hold a two-game lead over Brownsville Rivera, which lost 4-0 to Harlingen South on Thursday.
The Hawks (15-8-2, 6-5 32-6A) have slipped into fourth place, behind the Falcons (17-10, 6-5 32-6A). South will look to play spoiler for the Cardinals as the teams wrap up the Bird Bowl tonight at Harlingen High and Thursday at South. The Hawks won 4-3 on March 19 to lead the regular season series between the teams.
The Raiders (18-8, 7-4 32-6A) have two games left with San Benito (tonight at San Benito and Thursday at home) before they end their season series against Harlingen High. Rivera would need to win out to win the district title. The Cardinals beat Rivera 6-2 on March 22 and can clinch the district title with a win and a Rivera loss.
Also on Friday, the Greyhounds defeated Hanna 13-0. The Eagles play host to Los Fresnos tonight and visit the Falcons on Friday.
All 32-6A games begin at 6:30 p.m. today.
Bearkats edge Bobcats
Raymondville topped Rio Hondo 2-0 on Friday, to drop the Bobcats one game below .500.
The Bearkats (8-10, 5-5 32-4A) still sit behind fifth-place Rio Hondo (11-12-1, 5-5 32-4A) in District 32-4A.
Raymondville visits Progreso tonight. The Red Ants (11-7-2, 6-4 32-4A) handed district leader Zapata its second district loss, 5-3 on Friday.
The Bobcats play host to Grulla tonight. The Gators (10-12, 6-4 32-4A) defeated Port Isabel 8-0 on Friday. The Tarpons travel to Hidalgo tonight and play host to Rio Hondo on Thursday.
The second-place Pirates (9-11, 7-3 32-4A) defeated La Feria 10-0 in five innings Friday.
The Lions (3-7, 7-11 32-4A) play host to the Hawks (16-7, 8-2 32-4A) tonight and play Thursday at Raymondville.
All 32-4A games begin at 7:30 p.m. today.