Bobcats survive Cougars

EDINBURG - Edinburg High clinched a playoff spot last week but as the Bobcats found out Friday, they are not exactly going to cruise into the playoffs.

Playing against the first of the likely three playoff teams in District 31-5A, Edinburg High mustered enough offense to beat Edinburg North 1-0 on Friday at Edinburg High.

"We expected this kind of game from Edinburg North," Bobcats coach David Kasprzynski said. "They are a playoff team. We are going to see 1-0, 2-0 games in the playoffs."

Kasprzynski, whose team improves to 23-5 overall and 11-0 in district, said he welcomed the challenge of facing stiff competition.

"These games are going to help," Kasprzynski said. "We are going to have to find ways to win when games are close. We had two good teams and both were up to it."

Both pitchers were stout for the most part. Bobcats pitcher Andrew Silva allowed five walks in the contest but gave up only two hits and struck out seven in the complete-game win.

"I didn't go out there trying to do something special," Silva said. "I was just trying to do my job. I think (the Cougars) were looking for my curve ball. They came in thinking I was going to throw the curve but I came in throwing my fastball."

In the losing effort, J.D. Escobar allowed one single to Ricky Villarreal in the fifth inning. Escobar struck out six but a hit batter in the sixth inning proved costly.

"It's tough because (the Bobcats) had only one or two hits on him," said Cougars coach Nick Cantu, whose teams falls to third place in district with an 8-3 record. "We have to find a way to rebound and win our next few games."

With one out, Bobcats catcher Eli De La Garza was hit by what would have been ball four. The umpires held a short conference just to make sure the ball didn't hit De La Garza's bat.

De La Garza advanced from first to third when Cougars catcher Erik Casillas could not handle a high pitch from Escobar. The ball skidded off Casillas' glove and sailed into the backstop. Casillas attempted a play at third but De La Garza slid in safely, later scoring on a sacrifice fly to right field by center fielder Michael Barajas for the game's lone run.

Silva, who pitched his way out of jams in the fourth and sixth innings, issued a walk to start the seventh but retired the next three batters in order to secure the win.

"We had a real good chance," Cantu said. "It hurts but what can you say, that's baseball."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school baseball for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.