BY NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — The PSJA North Raiders had a chance to close out their opposition, District 29-6A foes Laredo Alexander, on Friday night. Andrea Salazar did her part in the circle in the first home playoff game at PSJA North High School in recent memory.
For the first two and a half innings, pitching and defense were center stage, but the North bats and heads-up base running stole the show for five runs during the bottom of the third en route to a 10-0 win in six innings, completing a 2-0 sweep of Alexander to advance to the area round of the postseason.
North will take on Weslaco High, which eliminated Los Fresnos 4-1 on Friday night.
“We came out here aggressive. We were ready to work because we knew they wanted to come at us hard because of last night’s game,” Salazar said. “Every time we made a mistake, it’s just short-term memory. We play for each other. We’re never selfish in this game.”
Alexander threatened during the first inning. The Bulldogs put runners in scoring position, at second and third base, but couldn’t bring any runners home. That half inning turned out to be the best chance the visitors had.
Salazar struck out five and her defense made all of the routine plays behind her with calmness.
“I’ve never played in the playoffs in all my three years,” Salazar said. “As a senior, this is my first year in the playoffs. During the game, I kind of block everybody out. I just focus on my team and just hitting my spots. Now is where we get to celebrate and enjoy the win and embrace it with my team.”
The offense came in bunches, starting in the decisive third inning. Angel Lozano, who was one of the spark plugs in Thursday’s 10-4 win in Game 1, got the rally started with an infield hit. She stole second base, Angeliza Balderas put down a bunt single and the speed on the base pads took over.
“If you’re not quick on your feet, then you’re not going to get anywhere,” Lozano, a sophomore, said. “We react quickly and we’re able to advance to the next base.”
The next two batters, Katelyn Luera and Alexya Salinas, registered RBIs and then Jennaka Fabela touched all the bases on a play with two errors.
“Our base running is really on almost every game,” Lozano said. “It’s rare when we try to steal a base and they get us out because we’re smart about taking off when the pitch is released.”
Salazar allowed two hits during the top of the fourth, but catcher Giselle Mendoza eliminated Alexander base runner Kayla Martinez, who had reach with a hard single. The other batter was stranded on first on a ground out.
“She is just that type of pitcher that comes in mentally tough and she believes that her infield can do that job,” PSJA North first-year coach Stephanie Lugo said. “I think that’s what makes her a little more comfortable on the mound.
The mistakes kept piling up for the Bulldogs and the Raiders were happy to make them pay.
Heaven Lozano and Katelyn Luera both had inside the park home runs and Jennaka Fabela was walked in with the bases full.