PSJA North gets clean win at home against SaberCats
PHARR — The PSJA North Raiders are staying steady in the playoff hunt as they routed the Robert Vela SaberCats at home, 9-1.
The win keeps the Raiders in third place within a highly competitive District 31-5A. They are 16-6 overall and 7-3 in district behind both Sharyland schools. For the SaberCats, they are 10-15-1 overall, and are sixth in district with a 4-7 district record.
The SaberCats looked pretty good in the first inning as their lone score came from Rolando Solis to lead going into the bottom of the first, but the Raiders were quick to respond and knot it up.
After the second-inning standstill, at the top of the third, PSJA North's Dyllan Cortez had himself two strikouts to retire the 'Cats.
Bottom of the third, Daren Garcia had a basehit that put a runner on first and second. With one out, David Guajardo a grounder for two RBI after a overthrow to first by Vela's defense. A strikeout by Romeo Baustista on Cortez got them out of a bad inning.
The score PSJA North with 2 and Vela with 1.
Bottom of the fourth, a base hit by Humberto Gonzalez got the offense going a bit. After a walk, there were runners on first and second. Then to make matters worse, another walk, loaded the bases.
With Marcoantonio Alvarado at bat, he hit to right field for the RBI. Then a sacrifice pop fly allowed another run to make it 4-1 Raiders.
Top of the fifth, Vela did have an opportunity to score with runners on the corners but a strikeout by Cortez and a popfly got the Raiders out of a scary inning.
Cortez had 11 strikeouts on the night to keep the 'Cats at bay.
Bottom of the fifth, a bunt by Josiah Ruiz allowed two RBI after a wild throw to first. Then, a walk put runners in the corners, which called for a third pitching change for Vela. Afterward, a runner stole second and a walk loaded up the bases.
A sac popfly by Ramiro De Leon made it 7-1. After a walk — the bases were loaded again — but a strikeout by Joshua Pena got Vela out of a bad inning.
Top of the sixth, Cortez flexed his pitching regime by getting three straight strikouts.
Bottom of the sixth, a wild throw to first allowed another run — 8-1. Afterward, there was a missed throw to third to put asame runner in scoring position. A base hit by Cortez to right field put it at 9-1.
On the defensive end, Vela had their hands full as they had five pitching changes and allowed 8 hits. The four errors were also an ailment during the game.
PSJA North will play in-district rival, the PSJA Memorial Wolverines on Friday. Vela won Thursday's game against McAllen Memorial and will look to extend their streak against McHi on Tuesday.