McCollum’s Abundis fires no-hitter; Holy Cross finally upends VSJ
AREA TEAMS INCLUDED: Burbank, East Central, Holy Cross, McCollum, South San.
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Softball enthusiasts had to be surprised to discover the identity of the area’s last 2015 undefeated team.
It wasn’t 2014 Class 5A state qualifier Southwest or its District 28-6A nemesis of the past several years, East Central. It was yet another team from that loaded district.
South San (11-1) held out a few hours longer than East Central (13-2) at the Seguin ISD Tournament. The Bobcats absorbed their first loss in their final game at Seguin, falling 7-3 to Churchill (5-8) March 7.
East Central lost for the first time in its second game March 6. New Braunfels Canyon (9-2) blanked the Hornets 4-0.
South San has been a high-scoring outfit so far. The Bobcats thumped Laredo Johnson 10-2 and San Diego 12-0 in three innings on March 6. The tournament was scheduled to begin a day earlier, but the first day’s games were postponed due to weather.
Under first-year coach Raymond Castillo, the Bobcats seem to be expanding on the gains they made last year, which included an upset victory over Southwest.
Winning pitcher Alyssa Montes drove four hits against San Diego, including three triples. Montes also had an RBI. Freshman Ashley Medina contributed a team-best three RBIs. Faith Gonzales, Andrea Ricondo and Dalina Sanchez drove in two runs apiece.
Bobcats sophomore Amanda Vallejo went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs against Laredo Johnson. Alyssa Trevino and Tara Salazar drove in two runs apiece.
For East Central, Canyon pitcher Brooke Vestal limited the Hornets to one hit.
East Central defeated Seguin 9-3 March 7. The Hornets scored seven runs in the first two innings.
Sophomore Gracie Becerra led the Hornets with a 3-for-4 plate performance that included a double and a home run. Winning pitcher Madison Strunk also collected three hits and drove in two runs. Valadez was 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Angel Lopez also delivered two hits.
Medina Valley defeated the Hornets 12-1 in their tournament finale.
McCollum 17, Burbank 0
Senior pitcher Kim Abundis recorded a no-hitter as the Cowboys (8-2, 3-0) defeated Burbank (2-6-1, 1-1) in a District 28-5A game March 7 at Villarreal Field No. 1.
Junior Amber Saucedo also pitched a shutout March 3 at the Tejeda Complex, as McCollum downed Sam Houston (0-8, 0-3) 22-0. Abundis and Lauryn Martinez each supplied two hits and two RBIs. Brianna Kinnard and Val Lopez also drove in two Cowboys runs.
Holy Cross 6, Victoria St. Joseph 3
The Knights (4-4, 1-0) nailed down a long-awaited win over TAPPS 4-4A nemesis Victoria St. Joseph (3-2, 0-1) March 2 in Victoria.
The Flyers have ruled the district in recent years. It was Holy Cross’ first win over St. Joseph in its nine-year history.
Knights pitcher Daisy Flores limited the Flyers to five hits.
SAN ANTONIO SOUTH SIDE SPORTS 