NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
SAN JUAN — Pitching was the key to success in the first two games between PSJA High and Weslaco High, and that trend continued in a winner-take-all Game 3 of their Class 6A bi-district series. The Bears cruised to an 8-0 win at C.V. Cain Field behind the pitching of Elian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez found out hours before the first pitch that he would be taking the mound in the crucial game, and seven innings later he was being handed the game ball after a complete-game shutout that included four strikeouts.
“I was kind of nervous, because during the season, I wasn’t doing that well. But yeah, I did good,” Gonzalez said. “We have a good team and good defense. I was confident in myself, and I feel good that we’re advancing.”
Gonzalez didn’t give the Panthers much breathing room and rode substantial run support to move PSJA on to the area round against McAllen High, which won its bi-district Game 3 over Laredo United on Saturday.
A quick 1-2-3 top of the first inning from Gonzalez got his teammates into the batter’s box quickly, and they batted around to build a five-run cushion through one.
Devon DeLeon drove in the first run of the game with a close-call infield single to score leadoff man Juan Zambrano. Vicente Castillo was hit with a misplaced pitch by Weslaco starter Jacob Cavazos to bring up center fielder Trey Guajardo with the bases loaded.
The junior came through with a two-run double that highlighted the five-run first inning for the home squad.
“Just knowing that it’s my junior year, this isn’t the first time I’ve been in that situation,” Guajardo said. “Having the experience and the confidence to be up there, it’s huge, and I’m just glad I got the hit for my team.”
Guajardo said his group didn’t want to repeat its bi-district playoff exit from last season, when the Bears won Game 1 and then lost the next two. This time, they bounced back from a 2-1 loss Friday night in Weslaco to advance.
“Last year, we played United, (and in the) first game, we went up. We knew that we can’t let up at all,” Guajardo said. “We wanted to play great defense for Elian, and he pitched a hell of a game. We have full run support behind him. We did our jobs hitting, and he did the rest.”
Cheke Marroquin hit a chopper past second, and Cesar Cantu hit a sac fly to also drive in runs during the opening frame.
During PSJA’s half of the second inning, the skies unleashed about 45 minutes of heavy rain. With Guajardo at the plate again with the bases loaded, the umpire called to suspend the action. He drew a walk once play resumed, but the Bears’ lead stayed a 6-0.
In the top of third, after a 36-minute rain delay, Gonzalez pitched his only adventurous inning. The Panthers used small ball to load the bases. The junior pitcher showed no signs of panic and continued to throw strikes. The threat ended with Raul Camarena grounding out to Ariben Gutierrez at short.
“It was wet and not that hot, so during the rain, I went to throw,” Gonzalez said. “The mound was wet and not that hard, so I had to fix the mound.”
Even with a break during the game, Weslaco was unable to muster much offense and couldn’t string hits together.
PSJA coach Marco Guajardo said he knew the low-scoring games might end with both teams needing to rely on pitching depth.
“I talked to our guys about being more patient at the plate, because it was going to come down to the hitting,” Marco Guajardo said. “Usually, in a Game 3, you don’t know which pitcher is going to come out any-more. Your top guys are out. We got an early lead, and that brought them down a little bit, and our kids got excited. That’s what we needed.”
Trey Guajardo ended the game with three RBIs. Marroquin, Cantu and DeLeon also drove in runs.
PSJA High will face 30-6A champions and state-ranked McAllen High in the area round.
“If we play the way we played today, we can play with any team in the state,” Trey Guajardo said. “Knowing that it’s my junior year, and a lot of us, it isn’t our first time here. We’re going to continue to fight and hopefully make it through the second round.”