Sharyland tops La Joya High in key 30-5A game
MISSION — Friday’s game between Sharyland and La Joya High was crucial in terms of being in contention for the District 30-5A championship.
With both the Rattlers and the Coyotes sporting 3-1 records heading into the district game, neither team could afford a loss with undefeated McAllen High atop the 30-5A standings.
But the Rattlers defense held off a potent offensive team in La Joya to secure a 7-3 victory at Rattler Field.
“I told the kids before the game that the winner of this game has a chance to win it all,” Sharyland coach Bart Bickerton said. “The winner will only be one game behind McHi and the loser would be stranded. So it was a big game for us.”
The Rattlers (4-1) jumped on the Coyotes in the second inning after catcher Eric Garcia nailed a two-run homer over the left field fence, giving the Rattlers a 2-0 lead.
Sharyland added another run in the third when Eric Gutierrez came in to score after Garcia belted a stand-up double to left.
“We did great job as a team tonight,” Garcia said. “Everyone came through when we needed to get things going. I’m just glad I was able to do my part.”
The Coyotes (3-2) answered with a run of their own in the fourth when Roberto Hernandez came in off an error. But with no outs and the bases loaded, Roy Ortiz came in relief for Mike Medrano and struck out the next three batters, ending the Coyotes rally.
Sharyland added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth off a wild pitch and an RBI single by Alex Luna to give the Rattlers a 5-1 edge.
La Joya pulled within two when Jerry Rodriguez hit a two-run single, which also loaded the bases with no outs. But Ortiz once again came through for his team, forcing a double play at the plate and ended the inning with a strikeout.
Bickerton said he felt the difference in the game was Ortiz’s composure on the mound.
“The difference for us was our second kid that came in,” Bickerton said. “He comes in and strikes out those three guys to end the inning. That was huge.”
Sharyland put the game away with two more runs in the sixth.
