Bulldogs hand Brownsville Pace first loss of season
McALLEN — The McHi Bulldogs (14-12-2) pulled off a stunner here Thursday in Game 1 of the bi-district playoffs as they handed Brownsville Pace (28-1-1) their first loss of the season in a 4-3 win.
The Bulldogs, who have really turned over a new leaf in the second half of the season, hosted the Vikings at their house as part of a three-game series in the first round of the 2026 UIL Softball Bi-District Playoffs in Conference 5A Division II.
Pace set the pace early on in the first as Valeria Alvarado put the 'Dogs in a bit of a bind early on with a 2-run homer on the third pitch by McHi's Eliana Villanueva at the top of the first.
After holding the Vikings scoreless at the top of the second, McHi decided to go on the offensive at the bottom of the second inning. With one out, McHi's Leah Sorensen cracked it to left field for the sac popfly to get a runner in to put the score at 2-1. Afterward, Diana Villanueva hit a grounder between second and third that got passed the Vikings' defense for the RBI and to knot it up at 2.
You could tell it was going to be a sparring match as the Vikings responded at the top of the third with their offense.
Pace's America Delgado hit a triple to get some momentum going for the Vikings. Afterward, Sofia Alejandro hit a sac pop fly to get Delgado in for the score.
Going into the bottom of the fourth, VIkings were up 3-2 with McHi looking to score. Sorensen earned herself an RBI double to knot the game up at 3.
After a couple of standstills throughout the rest of the innings, it wasn't until the bottom of the seventh where McAllen sealed the deal.
McHi's Giada Farias was able to get on base with her at-bat. Then while Eliana Villanueva was at the plate, she was able to steal second. Villanueva then cracked it to left field for the walk-off RBI.
So, what's the situation now?
Well, Game 2 will now be in Brownsville, if McHi wins then the series is over. If Pace wins, then there will be a Game 3.
Where's Game 3?
If Pace wins that second game, then Game 3 will be on Saturday at McHi's softball field at 6:30 p.m.