By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
It all comes down to the final game of the season for Port Isabel.
The Tarpons (7-6 in District 32-4A this season) earned a share of the District 32-4A title last year, but this season has been quite a roller coaster for Port Isabel. It started 4-2 in district play and then hid a skid with just one win in its last five games before winning its past two games.
The last game, a 3-1 victory over Progreso on Tuesday and put the Tarpons in possession of fourth in the District 32-4A standings with a game to go.
Port Isabel travels to Rio Hondo (6-7) in the district finale on Monday with the fourth and final postseason berth on the line. The Tarpons lost to the Bobcats 10-4 earlier this season.
A win by Port Isabel puts them in the playoffs. A loss ties them with Rio Hondo, but the Bobcats would own the tiebreaker with a both wins during the district season.
For the Tarpons — or both teams for that matter — it’s as simple as win and you’re in the postseason. It doesn’t get any better than that in the final district game of the season.
FALCONS EARN OUTRIGHT TITLE
Los Fresnos earned the District 32-6A crown outright with a 9-5 win over Weslaco High on Tuesday.
The Falcons (12-2 in District 32-6A) started district play 3-0, only to lose their next two games. But Los Fresnos went on a hot streak and finished the season with nine consecutive victories.
The Falcons earned their district title after just falling short last season. Los Fresnos is slated to face Edinburg Economedes in the postseason.
Hanna (11-3) finished the season winning 6 of 7 games — the only loss to district champion Los Fresnos in a 1-0 pitchers’ duel — to finish second in the district standings and earn its ninth straight postseason berth under coach Eddie Garcia.
The Golden Eagles are set to face Edinburg Vela in the playoffs.
Harlingen High (9-5) finished third and Weslaco High (7-7) finished fourth in the District 32-6A standings.
CHARGERS EARN PLAYOFF SPOT
Brownsville Veterans Memorial earned a postseason spot in District 32-5A. The Chargers (11-3 in District 32-5A) finished second in the district standings behind champion Edcouch-Elsa (13-1) and handed the Yellowjackets their only district loss of the season.
Brownsville Veterans finished the season in dramatic fashion, coming back to top Donna High 7-6 in nine innings. The Chargers were down 6-4 and down to their last out in the bottom of the seventh when they scored two runs on a missed played fly ball to tie the game at 6 and send it to extra innings. Two innings later, Mike Mendoza delivered a sacrifice fly with the bases-loaded to earn the walk off victory.
The Chargers are slated to face Rio Grande City in the postseason.
Despite its loss to Brownsville Veterans, Donna High (7-7) earned the fourth seed in District 32-5A. Mercedes, also 7-7, earned the third seed with a tiebreaker over the Redskins with both wins during district play.
Unfortunately, Porter (6-8) fell just a game short of the postseason. The Cowboys was tied with Mercedes for fourth in the standings after defeating the Tigers on Tuesday with a 4-1 win. But Porter lost to Edcouch-Elsa 9-1 on Tuesday and with Mercedes’ win over Donna North, it clinched a playoff spot for the Tigers.
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.