BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
For the most part, the final week of softball’s regular season will confirm what followers have already known for some time. In four of the Valley’s six districts in Class 4A, 5A and 6A, the same team that held the top spot in the standings in early March went on to clinch an outright district championship in recent days.
Still unclear, however, are playoff seeding scenarios. In District 31-6A, PSJA Memorial went out of its way to settle one potential battle on Tuesday night.
Memorial and Edinburg North were tied for third at 8-3 in district play entering Tuesday. Backed by strong pitching and timely hitting, the Wolverines defeated the Cougars 2-0 in enemy territory.
“We had the 2-0 lead, but I kept telling the girls that it wasn’t over,” PSJA Memorial coach Gilbert Rodriguez said. “That’s not a lead you usually hold on to against Edinburg North.”
The Wolverines’ Chelsea Salinas had her fingerprints all over Tuesday’s game, pitching the full seven innings while also driving in a run.
“She did a tremendous job for us out there,” Rodriguez said. “She mixed in her screwball and curveball well against a tough lineup. After they loaded the bases twice, their next batter came up and lined into a couple double plays. The defense behind Chelsea really stood tall for her.”
The Wolverines (23-8, 9-3) officially clinched a playoff spot in the process. If the current standings hold through Friday’s games, PSJA Memorial will face the No. 2 seed from District 32-6A — likely Harlingen South (23-7, 11-2).