By KEVIN NARRO, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior pitcher Mia Anzaldua made a little bit of history Friday night.
During the fourth inning, Anzaldua’s ninth strikeout — her 203rd of the season — broke the single-season record. The previous record was 202, held by former Lady Chargers pitcher Cassie Valdez. The crafty lefty threw five complete innings and struck out 13 batters, upping her season total to 207 strikeouts.
The next record is the career strikeout record held by Valdez with 666. Anzaldua is 40 strikeouts away from breaking that record.
“I saw this as a goal, but more than anything in my mind, it was whatever happens, happens. If I don’t, I don’t, I didn’t have anything to lose from it. I didn’t know about any of this record until the day of the game. My dad told me about the record when I broke it.”
On the night, Anzaldua yielded a solo home run and walked one. Along with the historic night, Brownsville Veterans cruised to a 15-1 win over Brownville Porter.
“This is what I have been working for my entire life,” she said. “I started out by just wanting to make the varsity as a freshman, and I set that goal to break records before I leave. This wasn’t possible without my catcher, Natalie Mendoza. Last year we had a senior catcher and we needed someone to step in, and she has done a great job on taking over and calling pitches.”
Anzaldua also set the single-season win record with her victory against Mercedes last week. The win against the Tigers was her 15th, breaking Valdez’s previous record of 14 in a season. Against Porter, Anzaldua collected her 17th win of the season.
RACE HEATS UP: Heading into the final week of the regular season, there is much to be decided. With San Benito, Harlingen South, Brownsville Hanna and Los Fresnos all clinching playoff spots, the district’s order will be settled this week.
San Benito picked up a 7-2 win over Hanna and remains in the driver seat with a 7-1 record. Harlingen South snapped its two-game skid with a 14-0 win over Brownsville Rivera and is in sole possession of second place with a 6-2 record.
Harlingen High threw a wrench into the district standings with a 15-13 win over Los Fresnos. The Lady Falcons are now 5-3 and are on the outside looking in.
On Tuesday, San Benito will play host to Brownsville Rivera, Los Fresnos will meet Hanna and Harlingen South will take on Harlingen High.
STUNNING: The last time Rio Hondo lost to Port Isabel, the year was 2015. In 2017, against Zapata, Rio Hondo suffered its most recent district defeat. Since that loss in 2017, Rio Hondo was 26-0 in district until Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Lady Tarpons.
Rio Hondo remains in good shape with an 11-1 32-4A record and can win the title with a win Monday against Progreso.
Port Isabel, meanwhile, is 10-2 and tied with Zapata for second place. The two will lock horns Tuesday at Zapata.
While the top three seeds are locked up, La Feria kept its season alive with a win over Raymondville on Friday. Each club is 6-6 with two games remaining in the regular season.
On Tuesday, Raymondville will meet Hidalgo and will wrap up with Zapata on Thursday. La Feria will play Grulla on Tuesday and then finish the season against Rio Hondo on Thursday.