PSJA North guts it out in Game 2, sweeps Weslaco East
PHARR — The PSJA North Raiders defeated the Weslaco East Wildcats, 5-2, in Game 2 of their bi-district playoff series for Conference 5A DI.
The dub for the home squad completes the 2-0 sweep in a best-of-three series. They will now play Corpus Christi Veterans in the Area round.
It was a defense-oriented game to say the least as both squads were having chess matches throughout the first three innings. No one was letting anyone score, because as those of who know playoff baseball, earning a single run is easier said than done. East in particular earned some kudos by those in the stands as they earned a double play at the bottom of the third.
Bringing momentum to their side, the 'Cats were able to load the bases at the top of the fourth to put some pressure on the Raiders. With one out, East's Brian Perez smacked it to centerfield for the RBI single to make it 1-0, East leading.
For the home squad, Dyllan Cortez — who is one of the more notable pitchers in the region — was switched out for Sebastian Garza. Garza worked his way up from the junior varsity roster last year.
With bases loaded, East's Adrian Guzman got walked to make it 2-0. Afterward, Marcelo Zavala bounced it toward Garza who was quick to throw to home plate for the out and then the Raiders' Rafael Solis threw to first for the double play.
Bottom of the fourth, East's Antonio Solis earned three strikeouts to keep the Raiders at bay. PSJA North at one point in the inning did have runners on first and second, but Solis ceased any effort of scoring.
At the top of the fifth, it was a similar situation as the fourth since the 'Cats were able to load the bases up once again. However, two strikeouts from Garza simmered down the Wildcat offense.
The Raiders after getting bailed out, utilized the momentum swing at the bottom of the fifth and earned themselves four runs.
PSJA North after a couple of base hits, were able to load the bases themselves. Marcoantonio Alvarado shot the ball between second and third for the 2-RBI double to knot it up.
In the the next couple of sequences, the Raiders focused on hitting short to get runners home. Solis bunted it to earn the needed score. Then, Humberto Gonzalez followed suit with a bunt of his own to gain the 4-2 lead.
It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth where PSJA North's David Guajardo cracked it to the outfield to earn himself an RBI double.
The Raiders were able to hold the 'Cats to zero runs the last two innings. Garza in that span earned himself four strikeouts.
After getting a bit soaked with the water shower that the Raiders put on display, the pitcher was a bit at a loss of words.
"You know, I got my boys behind me," he said. "It's — I don't know — it feels really great, man. ... I grew up with some of these guys, I got family on this team. All these guys are my family. It's crazy. I love them to death."
Head Coach Antonio "Tony" Leal gave props to his defense because East was quite the team during the regular season, raking in 23 wins and finishing third in a contested District 32-5A.
"You know, they were a really, really tough team to pitch to, you know?" Leal said. "But our kids hung in there."
The coach gave props to the junior pitcher for earning the team to win — commending him on his work ethic.
"I'd give credit to Sebastian Garza, that's worked his tail off, you know," he said. " ... They made it happen. I'm proud of all these kids."
The schedule for the Area round against Corpus Christi Vets is still in the works, but the job isn't over yet for the Raiders.
"It's not gonna be easy," Garza said after the win. "But we gotta go with everything we got."