Softball roundup (for week of April 21-27, 2013)

THIS STORY CONTAINS INFO ABOUT: Holy Cross, Edison, Brackenridge, and Jefferson (in order)

FOR A FULL STORY ON SOUTHSIDE VS. McCOLLUM baseball (April 27, 2013 @ Frank Tejeda Complex), click here:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/McCollum-boys-reach-playoffs-with-victory-over-4473139.php

FOR INFO ABOUT: Southwest and Harlandale, click here:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/High-school-sports-roundup-4473144.php

Knights overpower Northland Christian, move on to regional round

By Mike Considine

Holy Cross

The Knights (23-14-2) erupted for 11 runs in the first two innings of the TAPPS Class 4A area-round game. Holy Cross scored six runs in the first inning and added five in the second for a 13-1 win over Houston Northland Christian last Saturday at Holy Cross.

The Knights lost a tuneup game 4-1 to Harper Thursday at Holy Cross. But they won big when it counted.

Holy Cross was scheduled to play Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian May 6 at Texas A&M University in the regional round.

Edison

Clemens senior Samantha Moore pitched a no-hitter on her home diamond in Schertz as the Buffaloes shut out the District 29-4A champion Golden Bears 6-0 last Friday.

Clemens scored individual runs in the first two innings and one more in the fifth. The Buffaloes assembled a three-run rally in the sixth to put the game away.

Edison finished 14-16-2.

Brackenridge

Lockhart (24-13) blanked the Eagles (14-16-1) 7-0 at the Northeast ISD’s East Field in a Class 4A bi-district game last Friday.

Lions senior pitcher Mikaela Flores, a playoff veteran, limited Brackenridge to one hit. Lockhart scored in the first five innings, including three runs in the second. The Lions had 10 hits.

Jefferson

Hays (28-4-1), No. 16 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association state 4A poll, downed Jefferson (13-16) 12-0 last Friday in Buda.

Further details about the Class 4A bi-district game were unavailable.

Baseball roundup (for week of April 21-27, 2013)

THIS STORY CONTAINS INFO ABOUT: Harlandale

FOR A FULL STORY ON SOUTHSIDE VS. McCOLLUM baseball (April 27, 2013 @ Frank Tejeda Complex), click here:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/McCollum-boys-reach-playoffs-with-victory-over-4473139.php

FOR INFO ABOUT: Highlands, Lanier, South San, Harlandale, Burbank, Edison, Kennedy, Southwest, and East Central, click here:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/High-school-sports-roundup-4473144.php

Agis strikes out 14, helps Harlandale vault over Uvalde into second in 29-4A

By Mike Considine

Harlandale

Harlandale finished ahead of Uvalde (12-11-1, 8-6) in third place in District 29-4A last Saturday after Agis pitched the Indians to a 2-0 victory. The teams were tied before the game in Uvalde.

Agis (9-1) allowed just three hits in pitching the Indians to victory. The senior right-hander walked just one and struck out 14, running his season total to 126.

Richard Acosta and Brandon Ramon each contributed two of the Indians’ six hits. Harlandale scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.

Harlandale will play 30-4A runner-up Victoria East (19-10-1) in a 7 p.m. game Friday in the bi-district round at Victoria’s Riverside Stadium.

SPORTS ROUNDUP: Holy Cross softball advances with decisive win; Southwest on hold until Monday

Harlandale, Kennedy improve placings in 29-4A baseball finales

Holy Cross, Southwest return to action Monday

By Mike Considine

The same storm that took the fun out of the Fiesta Flambeau parade put a damper on Southwest’s plans, too – even before a drop of rain fell.

A few hours earlier, however, Holy Cross (23-14-2) was having a blast under overcast skies. The Knights drubbed Houston Northland Christian 13-1 Saturday afternoon at Holy Cross in a regional game.

In the prime-time games, Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway eliminated Harlandale 2-0 and Southwest (30-5) was leading Brandeis 10-3 when a lightning delay hit at about 9:05 p.m. Near the end of the UIL-mandated, post-strike, 20-minute waiting period, during which no lightning must be present in the area, it was mutually agreed that the teams would finish the game at 6 p.m. Monday at the same location, Mary Ann Villarreal Complex Field No. 1.

The game was just eight outs away from completion.

The first game of the series on Friday was an 8-4 comeback win for the Dragons (30-5). Saturday, Southwest romped to a 10-0 lead before the Broncos (20-8) got their offense going.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Southwest coach Sandra Hernandez said. “We’ll play pretty well, but then we’ll have one bad inning. Our defense has been on. We just need to stay up on top of (our opportunities).”

No playoff spots were at stake on the final day of the District 29-5A play, but a couple of ties were broken.

Harlandale finished ahead of Uvalde in third place after senior Michael Agis pitched the Indians to a 2-0 victory. The teams were tied before the game in Uvalde.

Kennedy and Floresville were tied for fifth place before their game in Floresville Saturday. Kennedy owned fifth after defeating the Tigers 5-3.

Softball

Southwest

Before the delay, the Dragons carved out an impressive start, building on an 8-4 win in Game 1. Southwest scored the first 10 runs Saturday, putting themselves on the verge of a sweep in the best of three series.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” Southwest coach Sandra Hernandez said. “We’ll play pretty well, but then we’ll have one bad inning. Our defense has been on. We just need to stay up on top of (our opportunities).”

Junior pitcher Kamerie Vidales, who helped the Dragons overcome a 4-0 deficit to Brandeis (20-8) after the first inning in Game 1, smacked a three-run home run over the left-field fence in the first inning.

Amanda Sanchez was struck by a pitch leading off the game and Krystal Salinas received a base on balls ahead of Vidales’ seventh home run this season.

Southwest produced a seven-run outburst in the third inning.

Freshman Caitlin Terrazas and junior Kayla Arguello got it rolling with a single down the left-field line and a double over the center fielder’s head, respectively, as the first two batters to the plate. A walk to junior Elizabeth Phillips loaded the bases and Sanchez forced in a run with the second of her three bases on balls.

Ahead 5-0, power-hitting Miranda Medina also walked to force in a run. Vidales ran her RBI total on the evening to five with a two-run base hit.

Terrazas then delivered her second hit of the inning, driving in a run with a two-out single. The Dragons tallied their 10^th run as a result of a Broncos throwing error.

Brandeis, whose three pitchers combined to issue 10 walks, got three runs back in the bottom of the third, two on one play. Vidales, who retired the first six batters in order, suddenly had control problems. She walked Cameron Barnes with the bases loaded to make it 10-1. A throwing error on an RBI ground out gave the Broncos their last two runs of the evening.

In Friday’s game, Southwest cut the Broncos’ lead in half in the second inning. A four-run rally in the fifth assured the Dragons’ win. Southwest added two insurance runs in the sixth.

Vidales held Brandeis scoreless over the last six innings Friday.

“She really stepped up,” Hernandez said. “That’s what experience does for her. She’s a junior that’s been starting for us since Day 1. She really has a lot of experience.”

Southwest cut the Broncos’ lead in half in the second inning on a two-run double from catcher Gabby Flores, following a double by Arguello.

A four-run rally in the fifth assured the Dragons’ win. Samantha Hernandez sparked the rally with a single and Medina followed with a double. Southwest added two insurance runs in the sixth when Gonzales walked and Hernandez and Sanchez came through with base hits.

If necessary, because of a Brandeis comeback victory, a third game of the series was to follow the completion of the suspended game Monday.

Holy Cross

The Knights erupted for 11 runs in the first two innings of the area-round game. Holy Cross.scored six runs in the first inning and added five in the second against Houston Northland Christian.

The Knights lost a tuneup game 4-1 to Harper Thursday at Holy Cross. But they won big when it counted.

Holy Cross will play Monday against Sugar Land Fort Bend Christian in a 4 p.m. game at Texas A&M in the regional round.

Harlandale

Tuloso-Midway pitcher Destiny Rodriguez permitted the Indians (14-11) just two hits in the bi-district game at the Northeast ISD Complex.

Harlandale senior Stephanie Lopez allowed just six hits in her final game. The Warriors (22-8) scored single runs in the first and third innings.

Baseball

Harlandale

Agis allowed just three hits in helping the Indians (13-12, 9-5) move ahead of Uvalde (12-11-1, 8-6) in the standings.

The senior right-hander allowed just three hits in pitching Harlandale to victory. Agis (9-1) walked just one and struck out 14, running his season total to 126.

Richard Acosta and Brandon Ramon each contributed two of the Indians’ six hits. Harlandale scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.

Harlandale will play Victoria East (19-10-1) in a 7 p.m. game Friday in the bi-district round at Victoria’s Riverside Stadium.

Kennedy

The young Rockets (10-15, 5-9) finished won two games last week, defeating rival Memorial (2-23, 2-12) 11-1 Thursday at Edgewood Field and picked up a crucial 5-3 win at Floresville (9-18-1, 4-10) Saturday.

That victory broke a tie for fifth place in District 29-4A.

Kennedy took control in the fifth inning, breaking a 1-1 tie with four runs. Ahead 5-1, the Rockets withstood a two-run rally by Floresville in the sixth. Junior Isaiah Garcia was the winning pitcher, scattering nine hits.

SOFTBALL: East Central beats Warren 7-3 in area round, Smithson Valley next

By Mike Considine

East Central advanced to the area round for the second time in three years.

The Hornets (21-11) defeated Warren 7-3 Friday night at Judson in a Class 5A bi-district game.

“We scored five runs in the first two innings,” East Central coach Bryan Waller said. “ We came out and hit the ball pretty well. We had a goal to put pressure on their defense. They made some errors, and we capitalized on those errors.”

Hornets pitcher Madison Strunk didn’t allow a run until the seventh inning.

“We had strong pitching the whole game,” Waller said. “ Maddie gave up a leadoff single in the top of the first, but they didn’t get to her until the seventh. She was a good hitter and happened to get a piece of the bat on the ball.

“We made an adjustment, made some changes, and she got the next two outs.”

Haydi Bugarin hit a solo homer in the second to increase the lead to 5-0. It was the sophomore third baseman’s team-leading sixth home run this year.

East Central scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Strunk hit a double off the wall in the first inning. Doege also had a strong game at the plate..

“The top of the order hit the ball really well,” Waller said. “ We hit the ball hard, even when it was an out.”

The Hornets advance to meet Smithson Valley (20-7) in the area round, 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rangers will take an eight-game winning streak into the winner-take-all contest. East Central has won seven of its last eight games.

SPORTS ROUNDUP: Southwest softball gains upper hand in series with Brandeis

South San and red-hot Highlands book postseason appearances in baseball

By Mike Considine

No stranger to the playoffs, Southwest’s softball team understands how important it is to take charge of a three-game series in Game 1. The Dragons (30-5) did exactly that Friday at the Mary Ann Villarreal Complex Field No. 1.

Southwest defeated Brandeis (20-8), the third place team from 27-5A, in a bi-district game. The series continues with 7 p.m. games Saturday and, if necessary, Monday at Villarreal No. 1.

The Dragons may have been the only local team to survive the opening night of the playoffs. The result of District 28-5A rival and co-champion East Central’s bi-district game against Warren were unavailable as of early Saturday morning.

The 28-5A baseball season came to the anticipated dramatic conclusion, but it was an anti-climax for two area teams. The third, South San, absorbed a loss in Corpus Christi in its finale – however, the Bobcats finished in a three-way tie for second place. Tie-breaking details are to be determined.

In a District 29-4A fourth-place tie-breaker, Highlands (8-17) scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to edge Lanier (9-15).

Highlands and South San (16-13-1, 5-5) became the last two local baseball teams to qualify for the playoffs. Earlier qualifiers were: Burbank, Central Catholic, Edison, Harlandale and McCollum.

Softball

Southwest

Junior pitcher Kamerie Vidales helped the Dragons overcome a 4-0 deficit to Brandeis after the first inning in Game 1.

Southwest cut the Broncos’ lead in half in the second inning. A four-run rally in the fifth assured the Dragons’ win. Southwest added two insurance runs in the sixth.

Vidales held Brandeis scoreless over the last six innings.

Edison

Clemens senior Samantha Moore pitched a no-hitter on her home diamond in Schertz as the Buffaloes shut out the District 29-4A champion Golden Bears.

Clemens scored individual runs in the first two innings and one more in the fifth. The Buffaloes assembled a three-run rally in the sixth to put the game away.

Edison finished 14-16-2.

Brackenridge

Lockhart (24-13) blanked the Eagles (14-16-1) 7-0 at the Northeast ISD’s East Field.

Lions senior pitcher Mikaela Flores, a playoff veteran, limited Brackenridge to one hit. Lockhart scored in the first five innings, including three runs in the second. The Lions had 10 hits.

Jefferson

Hays (27-4-1), No. 16 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association state 4A poll, downed Jefferson (13-16) 12-0 Friday in Buda. Further details about the Class 4A bi-district game were unavailable.

Baseball

Highlands/Lanier

The Owls forced a fourth-place tie-breaker Thursday with a win over Brackenridge and carried the momentum into Friday’s game at SAISD Field No. 1.

Highlands reached the bi-district playoffs for the first time in seven years. It’s worth noting that the last six years were spent in Class 5A.

Lanier scored the first two runs, in the second and fourth innings. The Owls closed to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth. They sent the game into extra innings with a run in the fifth.

The Voks went down fighting. They took the lead with a run in the top of ninth, before Highlands struck for two for the walk-off win.

Owls junior Steven Martinez was the winning pitcher.

South San

The Bobcats couldn’t recover after Corpus Christi Carroll (19-9, 5-5) scored five runs in the first two innings at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi.

South San shared second place in 28-5A with Carroll and Corpus Christi King (15-12-1, 5-5).

The Bobcats received one hit apiece from senior Juan DeAlejandro, Adam Rodriguez and Nick Herrera. Starting pitcher Joseph Valle struck out six, but was charged with Carroll’s first five runs.

Southwest

The Dragons (12-13, 4-6) led 2-1 after an inning and tied the score 3-3 in the bottom of the second, but 28-5A champion Steele (18-12, 8-2) outlasted them Friday at Southwest.

Southwest fell behind 6-3 in the third. The Knights scored in the next two innings before the Dragons scored two of their own in the fifth.

John Cummins drove in two runs and was the winning pitcher for Steele.

East Central

King defeated the Hornets (13-12-2, 3-7) in a high-scoring game at East Central. The Mustangs mustered 16 hits, including a home run from Benny Zamudio in the 18-8 decision.

East Central scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead and finished with nine hits. King scored its runs in bunches. The outbursts included six in the second, seven in the fourth and five in the fifth, which ended the game due to the 10-run rule.

The Hornets were within 6-4 after four innings. They also rallied to score three runs in the fourth, to make the score 13-7.

BASEBALL: Edison notches playoff berth while McCollum clinches second in 29-4A

Highlands win earns fourth-place tie with Lanier in 28-4A

By Mike Considine

A fourth local team qualified for the playoffs and two more earned a chance to advance Thursday as the District 29-4A season wound down.

Edison (14-12, 7-5) will move on as the No. 3 seed in 29-4A after shutting down Jefferson (6-17, 3-9) behind a shutout from senior ace Zach Garcia. The Golden Bears won 10-0.

Most of the drama Thursday in 28-4A was focused on Highlands and Lanier, each of whom was involved in more than its share of close games over the 12-game schedule.

That wasn’t really the case on the district season’s final day. Highlands (7-17, 5-7) defeated Brackenridge 4-1 and Lanier (9-14, 5-7) fell 15-1 to Burbank to force a fourth-place tiebreaker game to be announced.

Although each of District 29-4A playoff spots had been decided last weekend, there was no shortage of excitement in Thursday’s four games. Two big reasons were the rivalry games between McCollum and Harlandale and Kennedy and Memorial.

McCollum prevailed over its rival assure itself of the No. 2 playoff seed from 29-4A. Kennedy defeated Memorial and will enter Saturday’s game against Floresville with a chance to place fifth outright. The district season concludes Saturday.

Friday is the last day for District 28-5A this year. It promises to continue the district’s trend this year of being completely unpredictable. First-place Steele (17-12, 7-2) is the only team assured of making the playoffs.

Sixth-place East Central (13-12-2, 3-6) tuned up for the big day with a strong performance against 28-4A champion Brennan. The Hornets absorbed a tough 4-3 loss at East Central.

McCollum/Harlandale

McCollum (21-4, 9-3) exacted some revenge on rival Harlandale (12-12, 8-5) and locked down second place in 29-4A with a hard-earned 4-2 win at the Frank Tejeda Complex.

The Indians had a chance to share second place if they had won their last two games.

Harlandale, which defeated the Cowboys 10-0 April 5, is tied with Uvalde for third place, heading into their showdown at noon Saturday in Uvalde. The Coyotes lost 8-4 to district champion Medina Valley (25-2, 13-0) Thursday, so the teams remained deadlocked.

McCollum took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after falling behind early in the first meeting. The Cowboys added two more runs in the top of the fourth, but the Indians retaliated with a pair of runs in their half of the inning. McCollum added an insurance run in the fifth.

Eric Salinas was the winning pitcher for the Cowboys. No further McCollum stats were available.

Harlandale was led by Michael Agis, with two hits including a double. Indians pitcher Nickolas Martinez allowed just one earned run while striking out seven.

McCollum will play host to Southside (7-19-1, 3-10) at noon Saturday at the Tejeda complex. The Cardinals lost 7-3 at Floresville when the Tigers (9-17-1, 4-9) broke a 3-3 tie with four runs in the fifth inning.

Highlands

The Owls were led by 6-foot-1 junior Jordan DeLuna, who was the winning pitcher and drove in a run in the early game at SAISD Field No. 1.

Junior Steven Martinez went two-for-two for Highlands against Brackenridge (8-18, 2-10). Juan Diaz drove in a run. Maurice Devora blasted a double.

The Eagles tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second inning. Highlands held on after scoring twice in the fourth.

Burbank/Lanier

Burbank (13-14, 9-3) already was assured of its placing in 28-4A and its playoff status. That didn’t deter the Bulldogs at all, however, Thursday at SAISD Field No. 1 as they smacked Lanier 15-1 in five innings.

Burbank stormed to a 7-0 lead in the first inning. The Voks scored their run in the bottom of the first, but the Bulldogs pushed across four runs apiece in the second and fifth.

Senior Eduardo Salas was the winning pitcher, tossing a two hitter. The Bulldogs had 15 hits. Lanier individual statistics from the game were unavailable.

Edison

Garcia struck out 14 and allowed three hits as the Golden Bears cruised to victory at Field No. 2.

Edison scored in each of the first five innings as they built a 6-0 lead. The Golden Bears put the game to rest with a four-run rally in the top of the seventh.

Kennedy/Memorial

The Rockets (9-15, 4-9) downed rival Memorial (2-22, 2-11) 11-1 Thursday at Edgewood Field.

Kennedy scored twice in the top of the first, but the Minutemen cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning. The Rockets scored two runs in the third, five in the fourth and two in the sixth.

Rockets freshman Fabian Del Toro allowed two hits against the Minutemen. Junior Isaiah Garcia hit a home run for Kennedy.

Local baseball results (April 25-27, 2013)

NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface

Saturday’s games

BASEBALL

District 29-4A

Harlandale (13-12, 9-5) 2, Uvalde (12-11-1, 8-6) 0

Kennedy (10-15, 5-9) 5, Floresville (9-18-1, 4-10) 3

McCollum (22-4, 11-3) 8, Southside (7-20, 3-11) 4

Medina Valley (26-2, 14-0) 9, Memorial (2-23, 2-12) 1

Friday’s games

BASEBALL

District 28-5A

Corpus Christi King (15-12-1, 5-5) 18, East Central (13-12-2, 3-7) 8

Corpus Christi Carroll (19-9, 5-5) 7, South San (16-13-1, 5-5) 0

Steele (18-12, 8-2) 8, Southwest (12-13, 4-6) 5

District 28-4A

Fourth-place tie-breaker

Highlands (8-17, 5-7) 4, Lanier (9-15, 5-7) 3

Thursday’s games

BASEBALL

District 28-4A

Burbank (12-14, 9-3) 15, Lanier (9-14, 5-7) 1

Highlands (7-17, 5-7) 4, Brackenridge (8-18, 2-10) 1

Edison (14-12, 7-5) 10, Jefferson (6-17, 3-9) 0

District 29-4A

Floresville (9-17-1, 4-9) 7, Southside (7-19, 3-10) 3

Kennedy (9-15, 4-9) 11, Memorial (2-22, 2-11) 1

McCollum (21-4, 10-3) 4, Harlandale (12-12, 8-5) 2

Medina Valley (25-2, 13-0) 8, Uvalde (12-10, 8-5) 4

District 28-3A

Sam Houston (3-17, 2-6) at Hawkins

Non-district 28-5A

Brennan (19-4-1) 4, East Central (13-12-2) 3

SOFTBALL: Local playoff results (updated April 27, 2013)

NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface

Saturday’s games

SOFTBALL

Class 5A

Bi-district

Southwest (30-5) vs. Brandeis (20-8) at Villarreal Field No. 1, (best-of-three series, Southwest leads 1-0) (postponed to Monday at 6 p.m.; suspended with Southwest leading 10-3 in the sixth inning)

Class 4A

Bi-district

Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (22-8) 2, Harlandale (14-11) 0 (Tuloso-Midway advances)

TAPPS Class 4A

Area

Holy Cross (24-13-2) 13, Houston Northland Christian 1 (Holy Cross advances)

Monday’s game

SOFTBALL

Class 5A

Bi-district

Southwest (30-5) vs. Brandeis (20-8) at Villarreal Field No. 1, 7 p.m. (best-of-three series, if necessary)

Friday’s games

SOFTBALL

Class 5A

Bi-district

Southwest (30-5) 8, Brandeis (20-8) 4 (best-of-three series, Southwest leads 1-0)

East Central (21-11) 7, Warren (15-12-2) 3 (East Central advances)

Class 4A

Bi-district

Lockhart (24-13) 7, Brackenridge (14-16-1) 0 at NEISD East Field, 6 p.m. (Lockhart advances)

Clemens (24-8) 6, Edison (14-16-2) 0 (Clemens advances)

Hays (26-4-1) 12, Jefferson (13-15) 0 (Hays advances)

Local baseball and softball results (April 22-24, 2013)

NOTE: teams we cover are in boldface

Monday’s game

BASEBALL

TAPPS District 2-5A

Central Catholic 6, Austin St. Michael’s 4

Tuesday’s games

BASEBALL

District 29-4A

Harlandale at Uvalde, 6:30 p.m. (rescheduled for noon, April 27)

Southside at McCollum , 6:30 p.m. (rescheduled for noon, April 27)

Kennedy at Floresville, 6:30 p.m. (rescheduled for noon, April 27)

SOUTH SIDE SOFTBALL PLAYOFF PICTURE (updated April 19, 2013)

Softball playoff picture

These are the local teams that have qualified for the playoffs (in alphabetical order)

POSTSEASON QUALIFIERS: Brackenridge (14-15-1, 8-4), East Central (20-11, 8-2), Edison (14-15-2, 10-2), Harlandale (13-10, 8-6), Holy Cross (21-12-2, 5-2), Jefferson (13-15, 7-5), Southwest (28-5, 8-2).