BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Lopez sophomore Jenny Shank drove in four runs, including a three-run home run to help power the Lobos past the Harlingen South Hawks 8-3.
Shank relieved Arianna Lezama, the winning pitcher, in the sixth inning to stop a comeback attempt by the Hawks. Shank and Lezama padded the Lobos lead in the bottom of the sixth with RBIs as Brownsville Lopez continues an impressive start to the District 32-5A season.
“Our hitters came out today,” Brownsville Lopez head coach Jesse Martinez said. “You saw the difference … that it was what we normally do, but teams are getting ready. Everybody is playing hard, and everybody we have faced have played us well. That is what we are expecting from folks.”
Martinez praised his defensive effort tonight, and the effort throughout the start of the district season. The Lobos are currently 6-1 in district, while Harlingen South drops to 4-3.
“We are on a good roll,” Martinez said. “Our defense has pulled us through the last couple of games. Our heavy hitters have been in a slump here and there, but the bottom of our lineup is coming through and our defense is coming through.”
Harlingen South cut the Brownsville Lopez lead in half in the top of the fifth inning. The top of the lineup gave Lezama some problems. Hawks pitch Lexi Sandoval drove in two runs with a double to make it 6-3.
Shank made it 6-0 with a three-run shot to right center. Shank went behind in the count after just two pitches, but delivered. Lobos left fielder Chalene Granado also battled off an 0-2 count to drive in a run with a double. It was a four-run bottom of the second for Brownsville Lopez.
Lezama opened the scoring by driving in two runs in the bottom of the first to give herself a lead while in the circle.
“My team backs me up,” Lezama said. “I think this helps up boost our morale, and have more pride to what we are fighting for. We cannot take anyone for granted.”
Harlingen South returns to action at 11 a.m. Wednesday against Donna High at Harlingen South High School.
Brownsville Lopez takes on Brownsville Porter at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Brownsville Porter High School.