SAN JUAN — La Joya High handed PSJA High its first loss in District 31-6A action with a dominant 11-4 victory Tuesday at C.V. Cain Field in San Juan.
The win by the Coyotes (16-12-1, 6-1) creates a tie with the Bears (17-7, 6-1) for the No. 1 seed in District 31-6A.
The Bears jumped ahead early with three runs during the bottom of the first.
PSJA’s Charlie Zamaripa led off with a solo home run to left field, and Vinny Cano and Diego Gomez drove in two more runs with RBI singles.
It was all Coyotes after that, however.
Coyotes pitcher Hunter Morales pitched six innings and didn’t allow another run after surrendering three in the first. He finished with five strikeouts across six innings.
La Joya’s Alex Guajardo finished 5-for-5 with one RBI and two runs. Homer Munoz went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a three-run shot to left field during the top of the third that tied the game at 3. Lucas Zambrano added two RBIs and two runs on 2-for-4 hitting.
PSJA will look to bounce back against Edinburg North at 7 p.m. Friday at Edinburg North High School.
La Joya moves on to face Edinburg High at 7 p.m. Friday at La Joya High School.
DISTRICT 31-5A
SHARYLAND PIONEER 8, EDINBURG VELA 4: At Mission, Dannel Marrero and Andy Chapa combined for five hits and seven RBIs to lead the Diamondbacks (24-2-1, 14-1) over the SaberCats (17-9, 11-4) at Sharyland Pioneer High School.
Pioneer pitcher Rene Vela threw six innings, allowing two earned runs off five hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Edinburg Vela’s Ryan Botello led the SaberCats with two hits. Bobby Garcia finished 1-for-3 with one RBI.
The SaberCats and Diamondbacks will play Game 2 of their series at 7 p.m. Friday at Edinburg Vela High School.
SHARYLAND HIGH 14, McALLEN HIGH 7: At McAllen, the Rattlers teamed up for 19 hits to score 14 runs against the Bulldogs at McHi. Alejandro Islas went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and four runs, Homer Garcia added three RBIs off four hits and Fabrizio Salinas and Santiago Soto drove in two runs each.
Cole Gerlach secured the win with nine strikeouts in six innings.
Diego Garcia led McHi offensively with three RBIs.
The Rattlers and Bulldogs will play Game 2 of their series at 7 p.m. Friday at Sharyland High School in Mission.