MISSION — The Sharyland High Rattlers scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning and let their defense and pitching take care of the rest to defeat the crosstown rival Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks 4-3 on Friday at Pioneer High School to win the District 31-5A championship outright.
The Rattlers improve to 24-4 overall and finish 16-2 in district competition. The Diamondbacks drop to 24-5-1 and end their district run 14-4.
“Both pitchers threw a hell of a game,” Sharyland head coach Austin Bickerton said. “I told (Pioneer pitcher) Ruben Lopez in the handshake line after the first game, ‘I know you’re going to be ready.’ He’s a competitor, and he showed it today. (Diego) Diaz, he hadn’t thrown too much, but he came in a big spot and worked his butt off all game.”
Pioneer struck first with a two-run home run by Dannel Marrero in the bottom of the first. Sharyland answered with a pair of runs off a single by Alejandro Islas and a sac fly from Homer Garcia during the top of the third.
The rivals carried the 2-2 tie into the seventh inning with Sharyland starting pitcher Diego Diaz and Pioneer starter Ruben Lopez locked in.
The Rattlers proceeded to load the bases during the top of the seventh with Ferny Hinojosa and Cole Gerlach singles and a walk by Diaz. Two passed balls allowed two runs to come across the plate for a 4-2 advantage.
Down to its last three outs, Pioneer put runners on second and third with no outs after a walk by Diego Chapa and a standup double by Isaac Lopez.
Diaz was pulled and moved to center field as Islas took over on the mound for the Rattlers. The first batter he faced singled to center field and one run scored, but the second runner was thrown out at home by a laser from Diaz to preserve the 4-3 lead. A groundout and strikeout from Islas ended the game.
“This game was all heart,” said Diaz, the UTSA baseball signee. “Everyone put their heart into this the whole season, and we’ve come a long way. We have a hell of a team and now we’re district champions.”
He struck out five and allowed four hits and three walks across in six innings. Cole Gerlach led the Rattlers offensively with a 3-for-4 day at the plate and two runs scored.
Pioneer’s Lopez allowed four runs off 10 hits and four walks. Marrero led the Diamondbacks with the two-run homer.
Sharyland High will be the No. 1 seed from 31-5A and will meet Edcouch-Elsa in the bi-district round. Sharyland Pioneer finished the regular season tied with Edinburg Vela with 14-4 district records. The Diamondbacks and SaberCats will head to a tiebreaker to determine the No. 2 and No. 3 seed.