By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — Rio Hondo leaned on its pitching duo of sophomore Kelsey Pizarro and senior Erika Cortez to keep rival La Feria off-balance all day.
Pizzaro threw four strong innings and was followed by Cortez, who shut the door during the final three frames, as Rio Hondo secured a 7-0 road win at La Feria.
Pizarro got the start in the circle, and struck out two batters and walked three through four innings. Cortez entered in relief and retired all nine batters she faced, fanning six. Cortez put a stamp on the win by striking out the side in the seventh.
“Today La Feria gave us their best, and that is what we expect each week from our opponents,” Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza said. “We want to see their best pitcher or lineup, because how else will we be prepared for the playoffs?”
Rio Hondo got on the board with a three-run second inning. The Lady ’Cats took advantage of two errors that helped keep the inning alive. Leading 2-0, Emma Serna laid down a bunt that scored a run, giving Rio Hondo some insurance.
The three-run lead was enough run support for Pizarro and Cortez. During the seventh inning, Rio Hondo added to its lead with a four-run frame.
Cortez, Pizarro and Domo De Jesus all drove in runs. De Jesus went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Abbie Torris continued her tear, as the lefty went 3-for-3 with one run scored.
“Right now I’m seeing the ball well, and I’m recognizing the pitches,” De Jesus said. “It is something we have been working on in practice, both inside and outside, and I know where to place the ball and I know what to expect when I’m at the plate.”
The Lady ’Cats are now 7-0 and have wrapped up the first round of district play with momentum and sole possession of first place. Zapata is sitting in second place with a 5-1 record.
Rio Hondo will begin the second half with a road matchup Tuesday at Hidalgo.
“I think we have had a tremendous amount of growth,” Esparza said. “From our tournament play to now, I feel we have taken major steps forward, from our last tournament through our last seven games. I think we need to see ourselves at all phases, we will tinker with the lineup a little bit, and we are looking for Kelsey and Nayeli (Garcia) to get some games in. We want to make sure our arms are ready to go for the playoffs.”
La Feria, meanwhile, sits in fifth place and is on the outside looking in with a 3-4 district record. It will look to bounce back against Progreso on Tuesday.
“I feel consistency is the issue we are having right now, but I feel we are a heck of a ballclub,” La Feria coach Daryl Gonzalez said. “I think we have great leadership, and we can make a strong push in the second half and we can make a run for the postseason.”