By STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
SAN JUAN — Los Fresnos is headed back to the regional quarterfinal.
Pitcher Victor Loa tossed 6 2/3 innings and the Falcons (23-10, 10-5 32-6A) defeated Laredo United in the area round of the Class 6A playoffs 4-2 on Friday night.
Loa allowed two earned runs on six hits. He struck out seven Longhorns players and walked three.
Los Fresnos rattled the Longhorns (18-14-1, 7-5 29-6A) from the get-go, as the Falcons loaded the bases during the first inning without the ball leaving the infield.
Right fielder Johnny Cadengo reached on an infield single to the shortstop, center fielder Germain Castillo reached on a bunt single up the first-base line and pitcher Victor Loa singled along the first-base line.
Laredo United pitcher Adrian Castillo got third baseman Isaac Franco to hit a ground ball to short, and Franco reached on a fielder’s choice as Cadengo was forced out at home.
Adrian Castillo came back to strike out designated hitter Jorge Gonzalez, but catcher Jacob Sandoval delivered a two-out, two-run single to left to put the Falcons on top after a half inning.
Sandoval provided his third RBI of the game with a single to score Germain Castillo and give Los Fresnos a 3-0 lead.
Germain Castillo scored again from third with Cadengo on first and one out during the fourth inning. Cadengo baited Adrian Castillo into chasing him on a rundown. Not only did Cadengo get back to first safely, he provided enough of a diversion to force a wild, off-balance throw by Laredo United second baseman Ricardo Colon to score the Falcons’ center fielder.
Adrian Castillo allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. He walked one Los Fresnos hitter and struck out four. Isaac Rivera pitched one scoreless inning for the Longhorns in relief, surrendering one walk.
In a game ultimately decided by two runs, two defensive plays during the game’s first two innings loomed large. ‪Falcons left fielder Lee Trevino threw out Laredo United third baseman Guillermo Saucedo as he tried to go from first to third to end the first inning, and Loa picked off right fielder Alexis Bautista to halt the Longhorns’ rally in the second.
Loa allowed a leadoff double to Saucedo during the fourth inning, but facing runners on second and third with one out, he struck out catcher Eric Garcia and center fielder Julio Taboada to end the frame.
Laredo United South made a late push during the seventh inning when Loa issued a walk to Taboada and allowed a run on a single to center field by left fielder Alan Villarreal. Shortstop Derick Christman drove home Villarreal to cut the Falcons’ lead to 4-2 and chase Loa.
Franco earned a one-out save in relief of Loa, inducing a fly ball by pinch-hitter Raul Esquivel to Cadengo in right for the final out.
The Falcons await Laredo United South in the regional quarterfinal round.