By MARK MAY | Special to The Star
WESLACO — Victor Loa tossed a no-hitter as Los Fresnos upset Weslaco High 3-1 in a Class 6A bi-district playoff game Friday night at Panther Field.
Loa struck out 13 batters and walked four en route to his third no-hitter this season.
Los Fresnos improved to 22-10 and will face either Laredo United or PSJA High in the area round next week. Weslaco High’s season ended at 26-6-1.
“Early in the game I kept telling the kids, ‘We only need one or two (runs),’ because Victor had his stuff,” Falcons coach Rene Morales said. “We battled all night long.”
The Falcons broke open a scoreless tie with one run during the fifth inning and two in the sixth for a 3-0 lead.
The Panthers loaded the bases on three successive walks in the sixth. One run came in on a hit batter (scored by Matt Calderon) but Loa got Elijah Estevanes to fly out to second basemen Sebastian Ledezma to end the threat.
Loa made use of a low fastball that he moved around the plate. His cutter worked for him, too, as a strikeout pitch.
“My fastball was working tonight,” said Loa, who threw 103 pitches. “I don’t really care about that (no-hitter). I just want the win.”
Loa admitted he did not realize he had tossed a no-hitter until a teammate told him at the end of the game.
“He was a great pitcher tonight,” Falcons catcher Jacob Sandoval said. “He was hitting his spots. (The win) feels good, but we’re not stopping here.”