All-Valley Baseball: Discipline helps Gutierrez

For Eric Gutierrez, the key to success is strict, unwavering, never-ending, hardcore discipline.

Don’t argue with him. It works. Need proof? Check out these numbers: On the mound the Sharyland junior ace finished the 2011 season with an ERA of 0.98, 48 strikeouts and just 14 walks allowed, and at the plate he hit for .566 with 58 RBIs, 37 runs scored, 13 doubles, three triples and eight home runs.

Thanks to his discipline, Gutierrez was named the 2011 Valley Freedom Newspapers All-Valley Player of the Year.

"You have to be disciplined enough to want to constantly work to improve your game," he said. "It’s not enough to just practice, you have to be disciplined enough to want to stay after practice and practice some more. You have to be disciplined enough to want to practice on weekends even when there is a part of you that doesn’t want to. You just can’t take shortcuts."

With Gutierrez leading the way, the Rattlers had arguably one of the greatest seasons by a Valley ballclub as the team captured its 12th district championship and cruised to an incredible 28-1 regular season record. The team’s only regular season loss came against Corpus Christi King in the first round of a tournament. After that the Rattlers won 20 straight games to end the regular season ranked second in both the state and nation.

"Being ranked was interesting," Gutierrez said. "In a way it did put a little extra pressure on us as a team, but we really didn’t pay too much attention to the hype. We just went out and played our game."

But as the regular season gave way to the postseason, the Rattlers were violently yanked down to earth as their playoff run ended in the first round after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Laredo United.

"That left a real bad taste in my mouth," Gutierrez said of the playoff loss. "In a way it sort of made the whole season a total waste because it didn’t matter that we won 28 games or that we won 20 in a row. What mattered was that we lost one big game in the playoffs.

"But that’s baseball. Sometimes luck just isn’t on your side. You have to learn to move past it and be disciplined enough to pick yourself up and get ready for another year."

 

Bickerton leads Rattlers through bittersweet season

Coach Barton Bickerton has a problem. Well, maybe not a problem per se, but the Sharyland coach is definitely conflicted about this past season.

On the one hand, the 2011 campaign was remarkable as his Rattlers finished with a 28-2 record and finished the regular season ranked both second in the state and nation.

However, it’s that second loss that bothers Bickerton because it came in the first round of the playoffs in a one-game series against Laredo United.

"Anything can happen in a one-game series and unfortunately what happened was we made a couple of mistakes against a very good opponent and lost," said Bickerton, who has been Sharyland’s skipper since 1999. "That one playoff loss washed away all we accomplished in the regular season. Because of just one loss, the whole season is just very bittersweet."

Regardless of their disappointing postseason run, the Rattlers did indeed have an amazing spring as they absolutely dominated the regular season by going 28-1 and ran the table in District 30-5A to clinch their 12th league crown. For his efforts as the Rattlers’ leader, Bickerton is the 2011 Valley Freedom Newspapers All-Valley Coach of the Year.

"I’m already looking forward to next season, though," Bickerton said. "I know that going 28-1 in the regular season is a true accomplishment and I’m proud of what we did. However, as a competitor it’s really hard to get past the fact that we had a team that we felt could really go far and, in the end, we just couldn’t get things done like we wanted."

Getting past disappointment is something Bickerton and the Rattlers are accustomed to lately. In 2010 they lost in the regional quarterfinals to La Joya 6-5 then in 2009 they lost to San Antonio Reagan 11-10 in Game 3 of a regional semifinal series.

Going back a bit further, the Rattlers fell to Laredo United 5-4 in a one-game regional quarterfinal in 2008 and dropped Game 3 of an area-round series vs. Harlingen South in 2007 by the same score.

"The kids seem to get over things a little better than we coaches do," Bickerton said. "It’s tough to move on after close loses, but you just have to do it.

"I’ve got some of the greatest assistants in the Valley working with me and together we’ll figure out how to move forward so that we can be ready for next season. I’m ready right now."

 

Pace’s Rodriguez, PSJA’s Ramirez, South’s Gonzales key first team

The only regret that Israel Rodriguez had about the 2011 season was that it went by too quickly. Considering the season the junior Brownsville Pace ace had, one can’t blame him if he would have preferred to slow time down to help him savor the flavor of success.

With Rodriguez’s help, the Vikings reached the playoffs for the first time in four years and were in contention for the District 32-5A title for much of the season as Rodriguez went 10-4 and finished the 2011 campaign with an ERA of 2.36 and 119 strikeouts.

"His work ethic is what really helped him develop into such a solid pitcher," said Pace head coach Ray Bohn. "After his sophomore season, he told me that he was committed to getting better and he worked hard to do just that. I’m now looking forward to seeing what he can do during his senior season next year."

For his efforts, Rodriguez was named the 2011 Valley Freedom Newspapers All-Valley Pitcher of the Year.

"It was just an amazing season," said Rodriguez, who has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old. "Early on, I don’t know what it was but it was like every pitch I thew was for a strike. Things just clicked for me on the mound.

"However, everything I did on the mound was for the good of the team. I only wanted to win because I knew that if I pitched well and won games, our team would wins games and be successful."

One game that especially sticks out in Rodriguez’s mind was a district game against Los Fresnos on March 29 when he struck out 19 batters in an 8-1 victory.

"My fastball was working and I was finding my location all night long," he said.

Rodriguez admits that he was far from satisfied with the way the Vikings’ postseason turned out as they were swept in the first round by PSJA. He was also not satisfied with his own performance and admits that he’s already working out in preparation for the 2012 season.

"I’m working on running more and trying to strengthen my arm so that I can get my velocity up," he said. "Next season will be my last season at Pace and I really want to make the most of it."

The rest of District 32-5A better be ready.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

For Bryan Ramirez, the secret to success is dedication and preparation.

Judging by the numbers he put up in 2011, he was as dedicated as a memorial park and as prepared as a student is for the last day of school.

Ramirez, a junior first baseman for PSJA, hit .517 on the season, scored 31 runs on 45 hits with 32 singles, six doubles, five triples and two home runs. He also had 28 RBIs and was a big reason that the Bears were able to clinch their third straight District 31-5A championship.

"His positive attitude is what makes him great," said PSJA coach Marco Guajardo of Ramirez. "He’s a natural leader and he leads by example."

For his stellar efforts at the plate, Ramirez was named All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year. An honor that his older brother, Trey, also won in 2009.

"I learned a lot from him (Trey)," Ramirez said. "When he won the award, I realized that through hard work one can achieve anything. So that’s what I do. I work hard at practice then stay after practice to work even harder."

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Before the 2011 season got under way, Harlingen South head coach Tony Leal toyed with the idea of moving junior Zach Flores from second base to shortstop. That was before freshman Anjel Gonzales showed up.

"He just had a knack for the position," Leal said of Gonzales. "Right from the start, he came on board and made it his. He was that good."

Gonzales did indeed play more like a veteran than a freshman this past season. In the field he had a fielding percentage of .909 with 27 putouts, 33 assists, seven double plays and just six errors. He was also solid at the plate as he hit .308 with 15 RBIs and struck out only six times.

For his ability to step up and play beyond his years, Gonzales was named All-Valley Newcomer of the Year.

"It helped that the older guys on the team made me feel at home and accepted me right from the start," Gonzales said. "Also, Coach Leal always kept me focused and didn’t ever let me ever lose my confidence."

ALL-VALLEY FIRST TEAM

The pitching staff consists of Port Isabel’s Bobby Barker, who threw three no-hitters this past season, along with McAllen’s Marcos Hinojosa and Weslaco’s Tim Serna, who threw 10 complete games for the Panthers.

At catcher is Rio Grande City’s Phillip Guzman, who was a first-team all-state selection.

The infield is anchored by Hidalgo first baseman Amado Arechandieta, who was named the 32-4A Offensive Player of the Year. At second base is Harlingen South’s Zach Flores, who was named to the Class 5A first-team all-state team, and at third base is Edinburg’s Andrew Arteaga, who was named Co-Offensive MVP in District 31-5A and was also the 2009 All-Valley Newcomer of the Year. Finally, at shortstop is Weslaco’s Aaron Burciaga, who played an integral part in leading the Panthers to their first district title in eight years.

The outfield is led by Rio Hondo senior Eben Carmona, who was an unanimous first-team All-District 32-3A selection. He is joined by PSJA’s Iram Tijerina and Rio Grande City’s Alejandro Morin.

Brownsville Hanna’s Tre Paz, who pitched and played shortstop for the Golden Eagles, is the utility player, and Adrian Morales of Mission Veterans, who batted .389 with 32 RBIs, is the team’s designated hitter.

 

All-Valley Capsules

MVP

ERIC GUTIERREZ

School: Sharyland

Position: Pitcher

Grade: Junior

Stats: Gutierrez had a 0.98 ERA in 35.2 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts and 14 walks allowed; a .566 batting average 58 RBIs, 43 hits, 37 runs scored, eight home runs, 13 doubles, three triples; .627 on-base percentage, 1.132 slugging percentage

Notable: Was District 30-5A Most Valuable Player

What is one thing people don’t know about you?: "I’m very superstitious when it comes to my baseball rituals. For example, when I go to bat I always put my batting gloves on first, then my elbow pads then my helmet last - always in that order."

 

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

ISRAEL RODRIGUEZ

School: Brownsville Pace

Position: Pitcher

Grade: Junior

Stats: Had a 2.36 ERA and finished the season at 10-4 with 119 strikeouts and 39 walks. At the plate, Rodriguez hit .339 with 21 RBIs, nine doubles and two triples. He also had an on-base percentage of .453 with a slugging percentage of .548.

Notable: Was an unanimous first-team All-District 32-5A selection and had a season-high 19 strikeouts in a 8-1 win against Los Fresnos on March 29

What is one thing people don’t know about you?: "Before every game that I pitch in, I have a ritual where I drink a bottle of chocolate milk then pray before I step on the mound."

 

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BRYAN RAMIREZ

School: PSJA

Position: First Base

Grade: Junior

Stats: Hit .517 on the season with 87 at-bats, scored 31 runs on 45 hits with 32 singles, six doubles, five triples and two home runs with 28 RBIs.

Notable: Was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in District 31-5A. His older brother, Trey, who also played for PSJA, was named VFN’s 2009 All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?: "That despite being so serious on the baseball field, I’m a bit of a jokester off the field."

 

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

ANJEL GONZALES

School: Harlingen South

Position: Shortstop

Grade: Freshman

Stats: Gonzales hit .308 with an on-base percentage of .423 and a slugging percentage of .323. He had 20 hits with 19 singles and one double with 15 RBIs and just six strikeouts. In the field Gonzales was stellar at the shortstop position as he had a fielding percentage of .909 with 27 putouts, 33 assists, just six errors and seven double plays.

Notable: Was named Newcomer of the Year in District 31-5A. As a 7-year-old, was part of a championship Pinto team.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?: "That I’m really a smart person who loves school, studies hard and does his best to succeed in everything I do."

 

COACH OF THE YEAR

BARTON BICKERTON

School: Sharyland

Year as head coach: 12 years

Notable: Has a career record of 289-60 and has led the Rattlers to eight district titles. Under his tutelage, the 2011 Rattlers went 28-2 and were at one time ranked second in both the state and nation. In his dozen years as the Rattlers’ skipper, he has turned the Sharyland baseball program into one of the most successful and consistent programs in the Valley and state.

 

FIRST TEAM

BOBBY BARKER

School: Port Isabel

Position: Pitcher

Grade: Senior

Stats: Went 5-0 on the season with three no-hitters and two one-hitters. Had a 0.42 ERA in 33 innings pitched with 39 strikeouts. Batted .424 in the three-spot and had three home runs, including a two-run homer in the playoffs.

Notable: Won the Sportsman Award at the Fourth Annual Rio Grande Valley All-Star Sports Awards and was named Co-MVP in District 32-3A.

 

MARCOS HINOJOSA

School: McAllen

Position: Pitcher

Grade: Senior

Stats: Finished the season with a 1.99 ERA in 83 innings pitched with 113 strikeouts and only 15 earned runs given up. He went 24-2 over the past two seasons at McHi (12-2 in 2010 and 2011) with a career ERA of 1.79

Notable: Was first-team All-District 30-5A pitcher. His older brother Joaquin, who graduated from McHi in 2007, in currently playing for Texas A&M

 

TIM SERNA

School: Weslaco

Position: Pitcher

Grade: Senior

Stats: Went 9-2 on the season with 10 complete games, one no-hitter, one one-hitter and two three-hitters. Had a 1.44 ERA (0.84 in District 32-5A) with 62 strikeouts. Batted .320 (.429 in district) with 22 RBIs and five doubles

Notable: Was named Co-MVP in District 32-5A. Finished his career at Weslaco High with 22 pitching wins.

 

PHILLIP GUZMAN

School: Rio Grande City

Position: Catcher

Grade: Junior

Stats: Hit .495 with 55 hits including 13 doubles, three triples and only struck out five times. Scored 51 runs and had 41 RBIs. On the mound, he had an ERA of 1.64 in 47 innings of work. He gave up only 11 earned runs on the year with 51 strikeouts with a 5-3 record.

Notable: Was named as a second-team catcher on the all-state team

 

AMADO ARECHANDIETA

School: Hidalgo

Position: First Base

Grade: Junior

Stats: Hit .494 with an on-base percentage of .566, a slugging percentage of .747 and a fielding percentage of .931 with only two errors on the season. Scored 35 runs with 32 runs batted in and three home runs.

Notable: Was named Offensive MVP in District 32-4A

 

ZACH FLORES

School: Harlingen South

Position: Second Base

Grade: Junior

Stats: Hit .505 with 47 RBIs and 31 runs scored. Had an on-base percentage of .545 and a slugging percentage of .667. Had 50 hits, including 37 singles, 10 doubles and three triples. Had a .946 fielding percentage with 31 assists, 39 putouts, four double plays and just four errors.

Notable: Was named first-team all-state and first-team All-District 31-5A

 

ANDREW ARTEAGA

School: Edinburg

Position: Third Baseman

Grade: Senior

Stats: Hit .469 with an on-base percentage of .564 and a slugging percentage of .594 while striking out only four times. He had 45 hits with 29 RBIs and 25 runs scored with eight doubles and two triples.

Notable: Was named Co-Offensive MVP in District 31-5A and was named Valley Freedom Newspapers’ Newcomer of the Year in 2009

 

AARON BURCIAGA

School: Weslaco

Position: Shortstop

Grade: Senior

Stats: Burciaga hit .391 (.340 in District 32-5A) with 20 RBIs, eight doubles, two home runs and 11 stolen bases.

Notable: Was first-team All-District 32-5A

 

IRAM TIJERINA

School: PSJA

Position: Outfielder

Grade: Junior

Stats: Tijerina hit .436 with 25 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and six triples

Notable: His speed is one of his greatest assets as he runs a 4.5 40. He was also first-team All-District 31-5A selection

 

EBEN CARMONA

School: Rio Hondo

Position: Outfielder

Grade: Senior

Stats: A lefthand hitter, Carmona hit .409 with 22 RBIs and one home run as the team’s leadoff hitter. He also had an on-base percentage of .576 and had eight doubles and 21 stolen bases. Defensively he committed no errors in center field.

Notable: Was a unanimous first-team All-District 32-3A selection this past season and was also a first-team selection in 2009 and 2010 during his sophomore and junior season, respectively.

 

ALEJANDRO MORIN

School: Rio Grande City

Position: Outfielder

Grade: Senior

Stats: Morin hit .450 in 2011 with 39 RBIs. He had 45 hits and scored 38 runs with 15 doubles and four triples.

Notable: Runs a 4.6 40 and a 6.8 60, which makes him a force in right field.

 

TRE PAZ

School: Brownsville Hanna

Position: Utility (Pitcher and shortstop)

Grade: Senior

Stats: Paz hit .406 this past season with 11 RBIs and eight stolen bases. He had an on-base percentage of .458 with six doubles, three triples and 18 runs scored.

Notable: Was a first-team All-District 32-5A selection

 

ADRIAN MORALES

School: Mission Veterans

Position: Designated Hitter

Grade: Junior

Stats: Morales hit .389 with an on-base percentage of .434 and a slugging percentage of .700. He scored 27 runs with 32 RBIs. He had 35 hits including four doubles, six triples and four home runs.

Notable: Was a first-team All-District 32-4A selection

 

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

>>>Victor Fuentes, Rio Grande City

>>>Phillip Miranda, Santa Rosa

>>>Luis Herrera, San Perlita

Catcher

>>>Erik Garcia, Sharyland

First Base

>>>Alex de la Cerda, PSJA

Second Base

>>>Desi Villarreal, Mission Veterans

Third Base

>>>Ruben Sosa, Mercedes

Shortstop

>>>Tres Barrera, Sharyland

Outfielders

>>>Matt Cabrera, Weslaco

>>>Aaron Bazan, Edcouch-Elsa

>>>Noel Munoz, La Joya

Utility Player

>>>Mike Luna, PSJA North

Designated Hitter

>>>Jeremiah Galindo, PSJA Memorial

 

VALLEY STANDINGS

Final

District 30-5A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-Shary 28 2 14 0 —

x-McHi 25 13 11 3 3

x-La Joya 19 12 9 5 5

x-Mission 15 13 7 7 7

Memorial 10 16 5 9 9

Rowe 12 17 4 10 10

Palmvw 10 17 3 11 11

Donna 6 20 3 11 11

y-clinched district title

x-clinched playoff spot

District 31-5A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-PSJA 19 14 12 2 —

x-Edinburg 24 9 11 3 1

z-PNorth 21 12 9 5 3

x-South 19 11 9 5 3

PSJAM 14 14 6 8 6

Harlingen 12 14 5 9 7

ENorth 6 21 3 11 9

Econ 4 20 1 13 11

y-clinched district title

x-clinched playoff spot

z-clinched No. 3 seed

District 32-5A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-Weslaco 24 8 14 0 —

x-Pace 18 9 10 4 4

x-Hanna 15 14 9 5 5

x-LFresnos 17 14 6 8 8

Porter 14 14 6 8 8

Lopez 11 14 4 10 10

Rivera 8 17 4 10 10

SBenito 8 19 3 11 11

y-clinched district title

x-clinched playoff spot

District 32-4A

Overall District

W L W L GB

zy-Roma 19 10 15 3 —

y-RGC 25 9 15 3 —

x-Hidalgo 17 12 14 4 1

x-Miss. Vets 17 11 11 7 4

VView 12 11 9 9 6

E-E 12 13 9 9 6

Mercedes 10 16 8 10 7

Wes.East 7 17 5 13 10

Juarez-Lin 5 20 4 14 11

Bro. Vets 1 23 0 18 15

z-won seeding playoff for top seed

y-clinched share of district title

x-clinched playoff spot

District 32-3A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-Zapata 19 8 12 0 —

x-Grulla 12 15 9 3 3

x-PI 13 13 7 5 5

RHondo 14 12 6 6 6

LFeria 8 13 6 6 6

Progreso 3 19 2 10 10

Don. IDEA 0 12 0 12 12

y-clinched district title

x-clinched playoff spot

District 31-3A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-Robstown 29 7 10 0 —

x-O. Grove 23 7 7 3 3

x-West Oso 12 9 6 4 4

Miller 4 21 4 6 6

Lyford 8 13 3 7 7

Ray’ville 2 20 0 10 10

y-clinched district title

x-clinched playoff spot

District 32-2A

Overall District

W L W L GB

y-S Rosa 16 13 9 3 —

Ed. IDEA 0 12 0 12 9

y-clinched share of district title with Fal; lost seeding playoff; No. 2 seed

District 32-A

Overall District

W L W L GB

x-S. Perlita 8 6 8 4 —

La Villa 8 14 5 7 3

S. Isidro 0 11 0 12 8

x-clinched No. 3 seed in playoffs

TAPPS

Overall District

W L W L GB

x-B St. Joe 14 11 3 3 —

MMA 3 8 0 2 —

x-clinched No. 2 seed in playoffs

 

VFN TOP 10

Final

1. Sharyland

2. McAllen

3. Rio Grande City

4. Weslaco

5. PSJA

6. Edinburg

7. Pace

8. Harlingen South

9. Roma

10. PSJA North

 

VALLEY PLAYOFF GLANCE

Seeding games

CLASS 2A

Seeding playoff to determine No. 1 seed

Falfurrias 6, Santa Rosa 3

CLASS 4A

Seeding playoff to determine No. 1 seed

Roma def. Rio Grande City

——————————————

Bi-District

CLASS 5A

One-game playoff

SHARYLAND vs. LAREDO UNITED

Laredo United 3, Sharyland 2, United wins series

Bi-District

CLASS 5A

Best-of-3

BROWNSVILLE PACE vs. PSJA NORTH

PSJA North 8, Pace 4

PSJA North 13, Pace 6, PSJA North wins series 2-0

BROWNSVILLE HANNA vs. EDINBURG

Hanna 1, Edinburg 0

Edinburg 7, Hanna 1

Edinburg 8, Hanna 7, Edinburg wins series 2-1

PSJA vs. LOS FRESNOS

PSJA 7, Los Fresnos 4, 8 innings

Los Fresnos 4, PSJA 3

PSJA 9, Los Fresnos 3, PSJA wins series 2-1

WESLACO vs. HARLINGEN SOUTH

Weslaco 9, Harlingen South 1

Weslaco 13, Harlingen South 12, Weslaco wins series 2-0

MISSION vs. LAREDO ALEXANDER

Laredo Alexander 5, Mission 2

Laredo Alexander 7, Mission 3, Alexander wins series 2-0

McALLEN vs. EAGLE PASS

McAllen 9, Eagle Pass 4

Eagle Pass 10, McAllen 3

McAllen 10, Eagle Pass 0, McAllen wins series 2-1

LA JOYA vs. EAGLE PASS WINN

Winn 22, La Joya 3, Winn leads series 1-0

Winn 9, La Joya 7, Winn wins series 2-0

 

CLASS 4A

MISSION VETERANS vs. CALALLEN

Calallen 8, Veterans 1

Calallen 11, Veterans 1, Calallen wins series 2-0

HIDALGO vs. CC MOODY

Moody 3, Hidalgo 2

Moody 5, Hidalgo 2, Moody wins series 2-0

ROMA vs. FLOUR BLUFF

Flour Bluff 3, Roma 2

Flour Bluff 8, Roma 2, Flour Bluff wins series 2-0

RIO GRANDE CITY vs. ALICE

RGC 7, Alice 2

Alice 9, RGC 6

RGC 12, Alice 7, RGC wins series 2-1

 

CLASS 3A

PORT ISABEL vs. ORANGE GROVE

Orange Grove 8, Port Isabel 6

Orange Grove 11, Port Isabel 5, Orange Grove wins series 2-0

GRULLA vs. WEST OSO

West Oso 5, Grulla 3

West Oso 14, Grulla 5, West Oso wins series 2-0

 

Zapata gets bi-district bye

 

CLASS 2A

SANTA ROSA vs. REFUGIO

Refugio 7, Santa Rosa 1

Santa Rosa 17, Refugio 10

Santa Rosa 13, Refugio 6, Santa Rosa wins series 2-1

 

CLASS A

SAN PERLITA vs. WOODSBORO

Woodsboro 3, San Perlita 2, 8 innings

Woodsboro 2, San Perlita 0, Woodsboro wins series 2-0

——————————————

AREA

CLASS 5A

One-game playoff

EDINBURG vs. LAREDO UNITED

Laredo United 1, Edinburg 0, United wins series

Best-of-3

PSJA vs. McALLEN

McAllen 6, PSJA 3

PSJA 7, McAllen 3

McAllen 5, PSJA 1, McAllen wins series 2-1

PSJA NORTH vs. LAREDO ALEXANDER

Alexander 3, PSJA North 1

Alexander 6, PSJA North 2, Alexander wins series 2-0

WESLACO vs. EAGLE PASS WINN

Winn 7, Weslaco 0

Weslaco 10, Winn 4

Winn 9, Weslaco 0, Winn wins series 2-1

 

CLASS 4A

RIO GRANDE CITY vs. SAN ANTONIO BURBANK

RGC 3, Burbank 0, 8 innings

RGC 6, Burbank 5, RGC takes series 2-0

 

CLASS 3A

ZAPATA vs. COLUMBIA

Columbia 6, Zapata 0

Columbia 7, Zapata 3, Columbia wins series 2-0

 

CLASS 2A

SANTA ROSA vs. MARION

Marion 7, Santa Rosa 4

Marion 21, Santa Rosa 5, 5 innings, Marion wins series 2-0

——————————————

REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

CLASS 5A

McALLEN vs. LAREDO ALEXANDER

McAllen 5, Alexander 1

Alexander 3, McAllen 2, 8 innings

Alexander 9, McAllen 9, 9 innings, Alexander wins series 2-1

CLASS 4A

RIO GRANDE CITY vs. CALALLEN

Calallen 13, RGC 1, 5 innings

Calallen 22, RGC 4, 5 innings, Calallen wins series 2-0