By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial baseball team received one of its toughest tests of the season against Los Fresnos.
The Chargers (6-0 in District 32-6A) found themselves in an unfamiliar situation, trailing in the late innings, but came through unscathed in the standings with the win.
Brownsville Veterans coach Eric Gonzalez said the game was good for his team.
“It makes us aware that we can handle a close ballgame,” he said. “We came out with some clutch plays (on defense), but we were also able to come through in the clutch offensively.”
By winning a game that they trailed late, Gonzalez said it was a good reminder as the team nears the midpoint in district play.
“It lets us know we’re in a good spot,” he said. “But we have to keep moving forward, we can’t have too many 2-1, 3-2 ball games, especially when I know we should be able to hit a little bit more.”
STREAK SNAPPED
Los Fresnos’ loss to Brownsville Veterans on Tuesday was its first loss in district play. It was also the first loss the Falcons experienced in over a month, a span of 13 games.
Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales took the loss in stride, especially since his team had a lead heading into the bottom half of the seventh inning.
“I compared that to life. Life is like that,” he said. “What are you going to do when something bad happens? You have to get on the horse again and go to work.”
The Falcons (5-1 in district) are now tied for second with Hanna (also 5-1). The two teams face each other Friday at Hanna.
Los Fresnos may have dropped the game against Brownsville Veterans, but not its confidence.
“It gives us a little more confidence, it means we can play with anybody,” Morales added. “I’m proud of my kids, I love ‘em. (I tell them) ‘I wouldn’t trade you for anybody else.’ We’re going to take it from there and (Wednesday) we’re going to go to work.”
BIG GAMES
Porter and Port Isabel are leading its districts and both have important games this week.
The Cowboys (4-1 in District 32-5A) play co-leader PSJA High on Friday in a game that could have plenty of implications toward a district title or the postseason.
Porter is the defending champion in 32-5A. The Cowboys lost their first district game last season and won the next 13 straight.
Porter has been through two coaches in two seasons. and with former assistant Oscar Cortez leading the way, the Cowboys are showing that comfort in their play.
“I think they bought into what we’re doing,” Cortez said. “We changed a few things around. The players feel more comfortable and they liked that I was given the job, I was their go-to-guy last year (as an assistant).”
Port Isabel (4-1), which is tied at the top of District 32-4A with Progreso and Hidalgo, lost its first district game to Hidalgo last week and squares off with Progreso on Friday.
The Tarpons, who have former Porter coach Barton Bickerton on staff as an assistant, hope to keep up atop of the standings and challenge for a district title, but it won’t be easy with Progreso and Hidalgo in the mix.
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.