McCollum wraps up 2^nd in 29-4A with win over Southside

TEAMS INCLUDED: East Central, Harlandale, Kennedy, Lanier, McCollum, South San, Southside.

 

Harlandale (12-11, 8-5) drew seven walks and four hit batsmen to open the door to the postseason Tuesday. The combination of the win and a Floresville loss enabled the Indians to qualify for the second-consecutive season.

The Indians defeated Uvalde (10-13, 7-6) 9-1 at the Frank Tejeda Complex to break a three-way deadlock for third place in District 29-4A. Harlandale, which extended its winning streak to four games, took sole possession of third because of the victory, while Uvalde remained in a tie with Floresville (13-10, 7-6).

Harlandale senior pitcher Zach Perez (10-2) authored a four-hit standout performance, striking out seven and issuing just one walk.

The Indians also mustered just four hits, with freshman Christian Slocume (RBI) collecting two. Timothy Smith drove in two runs. Senior Brandon Ramon, Rogelio Gutierrez and Ramzey Martinez also drove in runs. Smith and Perez each drew two bases on balls.

Another freshman, Robert Palomino, was a model of offensive efficiency. Palomino was hit by three pitches and walked in his other plate appearance. He scored three runs.

Taking the lead with seven runs in the second inning, Harlandale defeated Coyotes ace Elias Garza. Garza was the only district pitcher to pick up awin against 29-4A champion Medina Valley.

McCollum 13, Southside 3 (5 innings)

The Cowboys (23-5, 10-3) clinched second place in District 29-4A win Tuesday with a run-rule victory at Southside (4-18, 1-11).

McCollum grabbed the lead with four runs in the top of the first, featuring an RBI single from Rene Martinez. The Cardinals cut it to 4-1 in the bottom of the inning on a wild pitch after senior Gabe Botello drove a leadoff double.

The Cowboys increased their lead to 7-1 in the top of the third as Hector Arevalo (2 hits, 2 RBIs) drove in two runs with a base-hit. Southside again responded, this time with a two-run home run to left field from senior Chris Conrad. Justin Zertuche contributed an RBI double in the fifth to help McCollum pull away.

Jesse Medina and Heaven Garcia combined to pitch the victory for McCollum. Medina struck out four in two innings.

Rafael Ramirez, Zertuche and A.J. Vasquez each scored two Cowboys runs. Ramirez reached base three times on walks.

East Central 8, South San 2

The Hornets (12-10-2, 2-7) endangered South San’s playoff hopes with a District 28-5A upset win over the Bobcats (12-14, 3-5) Tuesday at East Central.

South San scored first, in the second inning, but the Hornets answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. East Central added a run in the fourth. The Bobcats pulled within 4-2 in the sixth, but the Hornets produced a four-run rally in the bottom half of the frame.

East Central sophomore Justin Upshaw-Mendoza was the winning pitcher. He limited the Bobcats to four hits. The Hornets finished with 10 hits.

Kennedy 4, Floresville 1

The Rockets (12-9, 6-2) played spoilers for Floresville and, in so doing, helped Harlandale nail down a playoff berth. The Indians clinched by virtue of two wins over the Tigers.

For Kennedy, sophomore Fabian Del Toro delivered yet another outstanding outing on the mound. The Rockets ace held Floresville to four hits and a second-inning run.

Kennedy wasn’t able to score until the sixth. Then they put the game out of reach. The Rockets manufactured a four-run rally in the sixth to win for the second-consecutive game after a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to McCollum in eight innings April 18,