By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial did something that they hadn’t done all year.
The Chargers lost 7-5 to Harlingen South on Tuesday, the first loss of the season for Brownsville Veterans (13-1-2 overall, 7-1 in District 32-6A).
The Hawks (12-3, 7-1) are now tied atop the standings in the district. Last year’s district champion is no stranger to success. Now South and coach Tony Leal have the upper hand against the Chargers in the playoff race.
Also, it was the most runs given up by the Chargers this season. Brownsville Veterans’ 1-2 punch of Fred Villarreal and Luis Acosta had been stingy on the mound, and they had not allowed more than three runs in a game all year.
Chargers first-year coach Joey Benavides hasn’t been changing things all year and its doubtful one loss is going to change that.
But it won’t get easier for either team as the second half of district plays out.
Three teams in particular — Hanna, San Benito and Los Fresnos — are not far behind.
The Golden Eagles (9-6, 5-3), Greyhounds (9-6, 4-4) and Falcons (10-8, 3-5) have experienced some recent streaks that have kept them in the middle of the playoff race.
Hanna and San Benito have each gone 2-1 during their past three games, including the Greyhounds’ 12-3 win over the Eagles on Tuesday. Los Fresnos has lost three straight after starting the district 3-2.
Harlingen High, Rivera and Lopez have fallen back in the district race and must do some work to get back in the mix of things if they want to have a chance to make the postseason.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE
After struggling last season in the old District 32-5A and finishing back in the pack, Porter has vaulted toward the top of the standings this season.
The Cowboys (10-5, 6-1) are riding a six-game winning streak. First-year coach Barton Bickerton and Porter began the district season with a 1-0 loss to Donna North but have since put together six straight wins.
During the streak, the Cowboys have outscored their district opponents 52-11, an average of nearly nine runs per game and less than two allowed.
Bickerton talked about getting the offense going recently, and it’s safe to say the Cowboys have found a way to get the bats going this season.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.