DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
DONNA — Neither PSJA High nor Donna North was supposed to be in this position, fighting for a District 32-5A championship on the final day of the regular season. And while the Bears were alone in first place for most of the first half of the district campaign, leaving the door open for the Chiefs with some curious losses late in the season, they resiliently shut it Friday night.
The Bears, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season for coach Marco Guajardo, looked like a veteran ballclub that had been there before, jumping on the Chiefs early and often for a 13-2 win over the Chiefs at Donna North High. With three freshmen and a sophomore starting, the Bears were confident, poised and dominant in winning the program’s first district title since 2013.
“We really wanted a district championship,” Guajardo said. “The last two years, we were one game away. It left a sour taste in our mouths. This year, I didn’t even think I’d be here. I have five freshmen and I knew I was going to have growing pains. But these starting three freshmen really stepped up. They did it all year long.”
One of those freshmen was starting pitcher Cheke Marroquin, who threw a complete game and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking none, painting the outside corner with ease and setting up his curveball well.
“I was ready for this game,” said Marroquin, who improved to 4-0. “There were no nerves or anything. I was ready for it, so it was good for me, it was good for the team. I was hitting my spots, throwing strikes and my defense was big.”
Another freshman was lead-off hitter Trey Guajardo, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk. The third rookie starter was second baseman Ariben Gutierrez, a defensive dynamo who steadied the infield.
“There are people doubting out there that we can’t do what we’ve been doing,” Trey Guajardo said. “Our mentality is to prove them wrong. We’ve been showing that and we’re going to keep on doing what we’ve been doing.”
The Bears (18-7, 10-3 32-5A) wasted no time putting their imprint on the game. By the second inning, PSJA High had a 2-0 lead and by the fourth it held a 7-0 advantage as it got to Chiefs ace Axel Vazquez early. Vazquez entered 6-0 with a 1.11 ERA, but he was no match for PSJA High hitters.
PSJA High tagged Vazquez for seven runs (four earned) on seven hits before he was relieved after the fourth inning. It didn’t help that the Chiefs committed four errors, three leading to runs.
“It might have been nerves,” Donna North coach Leroy Rodriguez said. “I can’t speak for the kids, but that start took the wind out of our sails. But we fought. I’m proud of these guys.”
In all, the Bears had 12 hits and struck out just four times in 44 plate appearances.
“We may be a young team, but we’re determined to work together,” Trey Guajardo said. “We had to find a way to get along, the upperclassmen and the young guys. There were people who left, people who quit, but those who stayed found a way. We know big things lie ahead.”
The loss did not deter from a festive atmosphere for the Chiefs after the game. Donna North is making its first playoff appearance in program history after going 4-20 last season. The Chiefs won 10 of 14 district games.
Friday’s game, Rodriguez said, was simply a learning experience.
“We have to adjust quicker,” Rodriguez said. “From here on out, we’re going to face great pitching every night. We didn’t start getting (Marroquin’s) timing down until the fourth inning. No doubt, this was a big game. Tuesday’s win against Donna, too, was like a playoff game. I think we’re ready.
“These kids haven’t been in this situation before, but I’m hoping after this week they can not be nervous, get used to the crowds and come back ready to play playoff baseball.”