MORENO CRUISES

McALLEN - Even with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning of a tight area-round matchup, nothing could break the composure of McAllen High pitcher Alvaro Moreno.

With two outs and runners in scoring position, Moreno delivered his 11th strikeout of the game to lift the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory over the Brownsville Lopez Lobos in Game 1 on Friday.

"It was a tough game," he said. "I was feeling good with my fastball and then I started walking people. I walked four or five people and I was upset with that. But (today), I'm going to try to play defense, hit the ball well in play and if we win, get ready for the next round so I can get better on those things."

The series shifts to Brownsville today as the Lobos look to extend their season in Game 2. Game 3, if necessary, will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 2.

Lopez, which came off a two-game sweep of PSJA Memorial in bi-district last week, entered Game 1 with revenge in mind after the Bulldogs eliminated them from the area round last year. But Friday, it was McHi who kept the consistency on offense, which helped the Bulldogs to the win.

The Bulldogs scored their three runs, including one home run, off seven hits compared to Lopez's two. McHi scored one run in the second, fourth and sixth innings but coach Eliseo Pompa believed his team had opportunities to increase their lead.

"We made some little base running mistakes that could have cost us," Pompa said. "I was happy with the outcome but I was disappointed with the base running. We usually don't make those mistakes and in the playoffs, those things can come back to haunt you later in the game or in a series.

"I'm hoping that it is not going to happen (today), simple as that."

Defense kept the Lobos in the game as they connected on two double plays but Moreno, who entered with a 1.69 ERA, silenced the offense. Moreno allowed just two hits with three walks to go with his 11 strikeouts.

"(Moreno) pitched us down," Lopez coach Alberto Leal said. "He's a heck of a pitcher and he just shut us down. We got runners in scoring position a couple of times and instead of rattling down, he kept his composure."