By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Porter needed a win against Mercedes to stay alive in the playoff race. Aaron Gracia made sure he did his part.
Gracia’s RBI-single started a three-run third inning and propelled the Cowboys to a 4-1 victory over the Tigers in a crucial District 32-5A game Friday at Porter.
“It was a big responsibility to be the first batter coming up to bat (with the bases loaded),” he said. “And getting a hit, I thank God for that. Some time the hits don’t come, but I’m glad I went 3 for 3 and was a big part of that.”
Gracia finished perfect from the plate going 3 for 3 with a trio of singles and the run-scoring single that gave Porter the lead it wouldn’t relinquish. The Cowboys (6-7 in District 32-5A) pulled into a tie with Mercedes (6-7) for third place along with Donna High (6-6 coming into Friday’s game with Pace) with one game to play. The three teams are fighting for the last two remaining playoff spots in the district.
Porter coach Oscar Cortez said he was happy to see his team come out on the winning side of a tight game.
“We’ve been putting the ball in play every single game, but we’ve lost five games in the last inning,” he said. “We haven’t been able to close games. But we’re still fighting and have a chance to go the playoffs. Going into the last week with that hope … I think that keep the guys in check and focused.”
Porter got on the board early with a run in the first inning on a wild pitch and took a 1-0 lead.
Two innings later, the Cowboys broke it open. After a pair of walks by Cruz Reyna and Josh Salazar and a single by Felix Ledezma loaded the bases, Gracia smacked a single to left field that scored Reyna to give Porter a 2-0 edge. Cesar Lartigue followed with another RBI-single and Lupe Soto drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Cowboys a 4-0 advantage.
It would knock out Mercedes starter Pedro Hernandez, who went 2 1/3 innings; he allowed four runs on six hits, walked two, struck out one and had two hits batsmen.
Mercedes scored its lone run in the fifth inning on sacrifice bunt, but otherwise Porter’s starter Ledezma was too strong. The senior right-hander went the distance, allowed just the one run on six scattered hits, walked four and struck out three, but he had an excellent defense behind him that turned a couple double plays and didn’t commit an error in the district victory.
“I give (Porter) credit. Felix is a great pitcher, he did a great job,” Mercedes coach Armando Reyes said. “Mentally we weren’t ready to play. I think we were thinking one game ahead, that’s always a no-no. We kind of went through the motions and that’s something we’ll have to fix.”
Reyes said his team can’t last-place Donna North for granted when they finish the season Tuesday with a chance to go to the postseason.
“It’s a must-win on Tuesday,” he said. “We have to win out and get a little help from a few teams to get into the playoffs. But I give the Cowboys credit (Friday). They came out ready to play, they needed to win and they did.”
Cortez said that Ledezma came through for Porter when it needed a win. Now the Cowboys must keep up the momentum for a shot at a playoff berth.
“That’s been Felix all year, he’s been on (all season),” Cortez said. “We just need to stay calm and within our game. Play small ball and make them make the mistakes.”
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.