Win over Judson step in right direction for Bobcats

 

 

 

 

When South San began the week, by its coach’s admission, seemed to have a wheel in the ditch and a wheel on the track, based on its performance in the first two weeks of the season. The Bobcats, had shown flourishes of better things to come nonetheless and also had time on their side.

The Bobcats (8-5) may have made some progress with a 5-4, eight-inning victory Tuesday over Judson (4-7-1) at Burrows-Gustafson Stadium.

“The problem is that we give up runs early in the game,” South San coach Robert Zamora said folllowing the NEISD Tournament. “Then we have to battle back, just to get back in the game. Take out the first inning against (Austin) Bowie, and we were right in it.”

Zamora knows the high standard of play the Bobcats will need to maintain to qualify for the state playoffs from highly competitive District 28-5A. In the district, which seems to have more balance every year, giving up unearned runs can be the difference between winning and losing.

“That’s the thing about our district,” the veteran coach said. “There aren’t many games where the other team wins by the 10-run rule. They’re the big boys.”
South San built a 3-0 lead through six innings. Judson struck for four in the top of the seventh and seized a 4-3 lead. The Bobcats scored in the bottom of the innings to send it to extra innings.

The Bobcats won the game in the bottom of the eighth.

Junior Frank Bosmans hit a home run for South San. Reagan Gonzales was the winning pitcher, scattering six hits.

Seniors Adrian Gallegos, John Gamez and Daniel Delgado have been the team’s primary pitchers. Gallegos has seen time at first base, as well as his usual position, catcher. Gamez shares shortstop with his brother, freshman Jaren Gamez. Delgado also plays right field.

Bosmans has found a home at catcher. Senior Ryan Rendon holds down left field.

South San was within one game of the NEISD Tournament championship game March 1, but fell 4-2 to Austin Bowie. The Bobcats subsequently fell 5-1 to Clark, their second loss to the Cougars in the three-day tournament, to finish with a 2-3 record at the Blossom Athletic Complex.

The Bobcats had edged Brandeis 4-3 and defeated Roosevelt 8-4 in Friday games to put themselves in the semifinals.

The Bobcats defeated Brandeis on the strength of a two-run, sixth-inning home run from Gallegos. Isaac Lugo was the winning pitcher for South San.

“We’re one game over .500,” Zamora said before the Judson game. “That’s not going to make it in our district. We’ve got to pick it up.”

Although it will be a challenge in a district traditionally ruled by Corpus Christi Carroll and with teams like East Central and Southwest off to solid starts, South San aspires to return to the playoffs from 28-5A.

“We’re expecting to get in,” Zamora said. “What place will be a matter of how we handle our district games and the pressure. We know everybody is going to bring it. You can’t just show up at game time and play.

“You get so much thrown at you in those seven innings, if you’re not mentally in the game, you’re going to miss a key play.

“I see us getting in, but we’ve got our work cut out for us.”