Cruise Control

The Lopez Lobos hadn't been able to practice all week so they decided to take some batting practice against PSJA Memorial.

After scoring eight runs in the first two innings Lobo Carlos Rodriguez delierved the knockout punch.

Smacking a RBI single in the fifth frame Rodriguez forced the ten-run rule against the Wolverines to complete the sweep with a 10-0 win in game two at Lopez High School on Saturday afternoon.

Starting pitcher Justin Granado earned the win striking out four batters in four innings and had help from teammate Mague Tre-vino who tossed one scoreless inning in relief.

"Mague and Justin have been performing on the mound all year long," Lopez coach Alberto Leal said. "Those two guys have been our horses."

The offensive flurry started with a leadoff double from Granado to open the first inning followed by seven-straight bunts which six reached base safely including four runs.

Later in the inning with two outs Lobos' designated hitter Alberto Arizmendi tacked on another pair of runs with a two-tun single up the middle bringing home Rodriguez and Michael Sanchez for a 6-0 advantage.

Wolverine's coach Mark Gonzalez then pulled start Mark Martinez who also had two fielding errors and brought in Jack Herrera who struck out Luis Munoz to stop the bleeding.

"You've got to hand it to Lopez they're aggressive, well coached, and they've got some great players" Gonzalez said. "When you get down to a team like that you've got to keep scratching, we stopped the floodgates but it just wasn't enough."

PSJA's best chance to cut into the lead came in the top of the fifth as Granado walked the first two batters of the inning.

Leal called Trevino from behind the plate to trade hit mitt for a glove and got the Lobos out of the jam with three straight outs on six pitches.

"They've got a lot of talent and a lot of depth," Gonzalez said. "That was a good opportunity for us to get a couple runs across but Mague came in and did a great job."

Rodriguez ended the day batting 3-for-3 with three RBI's, a walk and stolen base.

The Lobos will face McAllen High on Friday with the host of game one to be determined at a later date.