FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Harlingen’s Zelda Ortiz shattered any hope of a Harlingen South comeback Friday night at Lady Cardinals softball field.
The shortstop scored the winning run to give Harlingen a hard earned 4-3 victory over the crosstown rival Lady Hawks.
With the win, the Lady Cards moved up to third just behind leaders San Benito and Los Fresnos.
“Last year South swept us but we felt comfortable that we could win this game, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Lady Cards head coach Lance White.
“We felt good and we’re playing well right now. It was one of those games where you think it’s going to be a one-run game and the next thing you know you’ve already scored two or three. I told the kids ‘lets get one run and we will win this game’ and we were (one) out away from it.”
Up 3-0 in the top of the seventh with two outs and a runner on third, Harlingen pitcher Torrie Parra threw a wild pitch letting Harlingen South’s Monika Coronado score and give the Lady Hawks a life line.
After ace pitcher Parra walked the next two hitters, Lady Hawks’ Ashley Reyna hit a deep ball to left field that drove in two runs and tied the score at three a piece and force extra frames.
In the bottom of the seventh with tying run on second, Harlingen’s Mia Garza hit a deep ball to right field giving Ortiz a chance to go to third. However a throwing error by Carina Abrego to first gave Ortiz just enough time to score the winning run.
After the game, White had positive words to say about his ace pitcher.
“Torrie’s done a great job stepping in (for an injured Skylar Macias). They were splitting time but it helps that she’s got a lot of confidence,” said coach White. “She’s a senior so she’s got a lot of confidence and the last three weeks she’s pitched great.
“She’s played fantastic and we haven’t missed a beat, she’s been tremendous for us.”