BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — No one expected Weslaco High to go away quietly, even as the perennial playoff team faced elimination against PSJA North in Game 2 of an area-round playoff series.
With its back against the wall, Weslaco came out swinging, connecting and scoring en masse at Weslaco High School on Thursday night.
Weslaco jumped out to a big lead and held on for a 10-4 win to level the series against North at 1-1.
The purple machine was churning early with seven runs during the first two innings, including four during the first inning.
“The fact that it was a home game really helped. We’ve always said that we’ve always liked the atmosphere in home games,” Weslaco senior catcher Audrey Escamilla said. “We just came in knowing that we had to do our best and get more runners scoring than yesterday.”
In Game 1, the Panthers left the bases loaded on multiple occasions. In Game 2, that script changed immediately as the first two hitters — Helen Gonzalez and Lily Torres — not only reached safely but also scored.
Starter pitcher Katia Reyes and Escamilla had the first RBIs. Lynn Garcia drove in two more with a single.
“We knew once we put the little things together and cut down on the errors we’d be able to help Kat(ia Reyes) out and make a lot of runs for her,” Escamilla said.
Merlien Chavarria kept the hitting party going during the second inning with a fly ball that caught the wind and eluded the center fielder. Stacia Bautista had an RBI, while Reyes and Escamilla recorded their second in two innings.
“I think (Wednesday) we were really tense and didn’t know what to expect, but (Thursday) we knew that we could get a hold of it,” Escamilla said. “Even (Wednesday), we outhit them but not at the right time.”
Reyes, who also started Game 1, was tough to hit again. She struck out 10.
The Raiders’ best inning was during the third. Kendra Garia started the inning reaching safely and eventually scored on a play where she collided with Escamilla on a throw over the catcher’s head.
Alexya Salinas followed with a triple and was hit home by Jennaka Fabela. The lead was cut to 7-3, the closest North would get.
Ashley Sada ripped a triple and Chavarria had another hit to the outfield drop near the defender.
Chavarria’s third hit was a solo home run to dead center field.
“I really haven’t been hitting much these past games,” Chavarria said. “I had to have that positive mindset to stay there and do whatever it takes.”
Andrea Salazar also homered for the Raiders. The Panthers scored the last run after Escamilla’s double turned into a run via a sacrifice fly.
“I think we came into the game knowing that we let one slip away last night, we pretty much beat them in every category except for the scoreboard,” Weslaco coach Mario Rodriguez said. “We had our hits last night, we just didn’t have the timely hits. We came out early and had some timely hits and that’s what got us going tonight.”
PSJA North coach Stephanie Lugo said her team will have a clear mind in the winner-take-all contest.
“I told them as soon as we got to right field after the game that tomorrow’s a new day. We start with a 0-0 record and have to go from there,” Lugo said. “These girls actually have been through a lot this season. Things were thrown at us different ways and things like that and the girls have overcome everything.”
Game 3 is at 7:30 tonight at PSJA North High School in Pharr.