By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen South Hawks said this week that the advantage will go to whoever can catch some breaks in their best-of-three bi-district playoff series with the Edinburg North Cougars.
While that was the case, it was a pair of South miscues that paved the way for a 4-2 Edinburg North victory and a 1-0 series lead, Thursday night at Harlingen Field.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the fourth inning, the Cougars took the lead and never looked back after a South error on a throw to third base and a wild pitch moments later led to a pair of unearned runs for Edinburg North.
The Cougars came out of the inning with a 4-2 lead following an RBI single from Sam Chavez and held the Hawks scoreless the rest of the way.
“We stressed to do the little things. Defensively we fielded bunts when South tried to move guys over and offensively, we put the ball down,” Edinburg North head coach Damian Gonzalez said. “We did the little things tonight and I told the guys that if we do enough of the little things, it’ll lead to a win.”
South committed just one error on the night and pitcher Jacob Atkinson allowed just two earned runs and six hits.
The Edinburg defense, led by Alex Canul’s five K’s, kept the Hawks scoreless for the final six innings and turned two double plays on the night.
“We played hard and I think we played well,” South head coach Tony Leal said. “[Canul] did an outstanding job. We hung in there, but we didn’t get a break; the credit goes to [Edinburg North].
“Our pitcher Atkinson did a really good job. I know [Edinburg North] Won, but Jacob (Atkinson) played well.”
The Hawks jumped out early on a Jake Martinez RBI single to bring home lead-off man Nick Reasor.
Atkinson scored later in the inning on a wild pitch to make the score 2-0 after one.
The Cougars got on the board in the top of the third on a Michael Cantu RBI single to cut the lead in half.
In the bottom of the inning, South looked like they would add to their lead as they loaded the bases with one out, but Ojani Chacon hit into a 6-4-3 double play and the Cougars got out of the inning unharmed.
Canul and Sam Garza started the fourth inning with consecutive singles for the Cougars.
Soon after, Edinburg North pinch runner Rene Martinez tied the game up on a Hawk error on a throw to third base with no outs.
Garza came home on a Hawk wild pitch moments later during Sam Chavez’s at-bat to give North a 3-2 lead with nobody out.
The Cougars attempt to close out the series tonight in Edinburg.
The game starts at 7 p.m.