Stefan Modrich | Staff Writer
Across the Rio Grande Valley, area baseball squads have begun tournament play and non-district competition.
After a 9-2 win over Rio Hondo Monday, Lyford coach Kevin Ledesma’s squad still has a daunting non-district schedule ahead. The Bulldogs host rival Raymondville Friday and will play three straight road games against Brownsville Porter, La Feria, and Edinburg High. Lyford wraps up its non-district slate with home games against Brownsville St. Joseph and Premont before the Bulldogs host Monte Alto on Tuesday, March 26 to begin their District 32-3A schedule.
“For us to compete with a team like Rio Hondo,” Ledesma said. “And to go out there and perform the way we did, it’s very eye-opening, what the possibilities are. We’re very excited going forward.”
Brownsville Veterans Memorial is coming off of an 11-1 win over Mission Veterans Memorial Monday, and went 2-2-1 at the Laredo Border Olympics Tournament, with wins over Tomball and Cibolo Steele, losses to Del Rio and PSJA High, and a tie with Eagle Pass Winn.
“We had a great win this past Monday versus a solid Mission Vets baseball squad,” said coach Our bats are coming around and we feel like we are starting to click on all cylinders. I believe this momentum stems from the experience we gained at the Border Olympics (Tournament).
“Our players experienced what it’s like to compete at a high level, while adapting to the pressure to execute every pitch, every at bat, and every play.”
After wrapping up their non-district slate with the Sharyland Hardball Classic in Mission Thursday through Saturday, hosting Roma on Monday, and the PSJA Tournament at PSJA High next Thursday through Saturday, the Chargers will open District 32-5A play Tuesday, March 12 at Brownsville Pace.
In District 32-4A, Rio Hondo went 3-1 and earned a fifth-place finish in the Los Fresnos-Port Isabel baseball tournament over the weekend, with wins over PSJA Memorial, Weslaco East, and Corpus Christi London. The Bobcats will host Hidalgo in their district opener Tuesday.
Gonzalez said catcher Danny Vasquez (2-for-7 with three runs scored in the Los Fresnos-Port Isabel Tournament) and second baseman Derek Castellanos (2-for-9, three runs scored at Port Isabel) are “playing at another level right now.”
Coach Sergio Gonzalez was also impressed by Cross Gonzalez, who pitched five shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just two hits in the first game of the tournament against PSJA Memorial. At the plate, Gonzalez went 4-for-9 with four runs scored and four stolen bases.
“He’s a very smart baseball player,” Gonzalez said. “We’re very blessed to have him, he’s one of the best players in the region right now. He makes plays, and he’s been hitting the ball for us.”
Against Lyford Monday night, Gonzalez did not allow an earned run, striking out five batters in three innings pitched.
Meanwhile, Harlingen High will try to bounce back from Tuesday night’s 10-0 defeat to Los Fresnos-Port Isabel Tournament champion Sharyland Pioneer at Mira’s Tournament in Corpus Christi
At the McAllen ISD Baseball Tournament, Harlingen High defeated Valley View and Orange Grove on Friday before falling to Corpus Christi Calallen Saturday.
Harlingen High coach Armando Rangel said the experiences in McAllen and Corpus Christi will help prepare his players for Tuesday’s District 32-6A opener, when the Cardinals travel to San Benito to face the Greyhounds.
“We had many positives,” Cardinals coach Armando Rangel said. “We went 3-2 over the weekend and played people at different positions. We are trying to finalize our rotation come district time at the same time give players opportunities before we get to the games that matter. (We) still have some work to do and clean some stuff up but that is why we play tournaments. This coming week should clear everything up to get ready for Tuesday.”
Harlingen South also competed in the McAllen tournament last weekend, winning a coin flip in a 4-4 tie with Mission High, taking a 2-0 lead into the final inning against Corpus Christi Calallen before falling 4-3, ending their tournament run with a 4-2 win over Palmview and a 5-1 loss to McAllen Memorial.
After a convincing 16-1 win over PSJA Memorial Tuesday, the Hawks will play in the Mercedes Knights of Columbus Tournament this weekend and host defending district champion Los Fresnos next Tuesday.
“We played in a very tough bracket in the McAllen Tournament,” coach Chris Gracia said. “I think playing that high level of competition will serve us well for the remainder of the season. Also, competing in close games prepares us for the challenging district season ahead.”