The Next Step

It was around the same time last year that the Lopez baseball team ran into McAllen in the second round of the playoffs.

Except this time the Lobos are determined to not let history repeat itself.
The Lobos (19-8) are looking for redemption against the Bulldogs (21-11) after taking them the distance before losing in a heart-breaking game three last season. They lock up at 7 p. m. for the series opener at McAllen High School tonight. Game 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be played at Lopez on Saturday.

Lopez coach Alberto Leal has claimed back-to-back 32-5A titles but would like to see his young squad advance further in the play-offs.

"We want to get over that hump and make it to the third round" Leal said. "We're hoping our pitching and the way we pitch to them hopefully that'll shut them down. Solid defense kept us in the game(s) last year but this time we're going to have to hit the ball."

If the key to the Lobos success weighs on how well they swing the bats, they're in for a challenge tonight.

Bulldogs coach Eliseo Pompa sends his ace Alvaro Moreno to the mound who carries a 1.69 ERA with a 7-3 record.

Leal is going to counter with Carlos Rodriguez who has battled back into the rotation after battling arm injuries.

In his first start since the beginning of the District 32-5A season Rodriguez shutdown PSJA Memorial in Game 1 of the series with a complete game giving up one run with 10 strikeouts.

"Lopez is very well coached," Pompa said. "Just like last year it's going to come down to pitching and defense. If we can do that we'll be able to keep it close."

The Lobos don't have one or two big hitters to zone in on but they have a lineup that can cause damage from top to bottom.

Leal's biggest concern will be getting the hits when it matters most.

"Every game it's been a different hero," he said. "Everybody has been doing their part and we just have to get timely hitting (if we except to win)."

The Bulldogs have been led in the batters box by a pair of sophomores who are at the heart of the McHi lineup.

Moreno and Timmy Ford are batting above .350 for the season with a pair of homers each.

"We got our hitting report on them is that their first five batters in the lineup hit the ball awesome," Leal said. "We're going to have to play solid defense and get some hits."

Lobo pitcher/infielder Alberto Rodriguez said the team feels confident heading into today's series and reiterated that Lopez must play a good all-around game to take the next step in the playoffs.

"Our defense is playing pretty good and we've got good pitchers," Beto Rodriguez said. "But it's going to be up to us if we want to win."