Eagle Pass Eagles Dominate Harlingen Cardinals in Area Baseball Championship, Advance to Regional Quarterfinals Against La Joya Coyotes
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles Baseball Team dominated the Harlingen High School Cardinals in their best of three series in the second round of the state playoffs 2-1 to earn the Area Championship during May 14-15, 2021 at the San Antonio Northside Independent School District Baseball Complex in San Antonio, Texas, advancing to the Regional Quarterfinals against the La Joya High School Coyotes.
The Eagles traveled to the Alamo City together with a large Eagle Nation contingency of aficionados to battle the District 32-6A Champion Harlingen Cardinals in the Area Championship.
In Game 1 on Friday, May 14, 2021, the Eagles shut out the Cardinals 10-0 under a one hit command pitching performance by Sergio “Checo” Lopez and an offensive barrage from Edward Mendoza who belted two home runs and a double with six RBIs in the game, winning via the 10 run rule after five innings and giving the Eagles a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 had to be delayed for almost three hours on Saturday, May 15, 2021, due to inclement weather in the Alamo City, but the game finally started at 5 p.m. The Harlingen Cardinals edged the Eagle Pass Eagles 3-1 in Game 2 in a pitching duel between Cardinals Ricky Montelongo and Eagles Edward Mendoza. Game 2 was scoreless until the bottom of the 5th inning when the Cardinals scored two runs to take a 2-0 lead on a single, sacrifice bunt, a hit by the pitch batsman, and two Eagles throwing errors on a fielder’s choice. In the top of the 6th inning, Eagles pitcher Edward Mendoza slammed a solo home run over the left field fence to narrow the score 2-1, his third of the series. In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Cardinals added one more run on a single and a triple by pitcher Ricky Montelongo to extend their lead 3-1. In the top of the 7th inning, Cardinals pitcher Ricky Montelongo struck out the three Eagles batters to earn the win 3-1, tying the series 1-1 and forcing a decisive winner take all Game 3.
In Game 3, Eagles pitcher Alex Paniagua was summoned to the mound to cage the potent Cardinals offensive battery. Both teams scored one run and the game was tied 1-1 until the 5th inning when the Eagles scored four runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead with key hits by Mike Perry who started the rally, Mathew Elizondo, and CJ Jimenez. But the Cardinals answered back with two runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to narrow the score 5-3. Eagles brought in pitcher Donovan Becerra in relief of Paniagua in the bottom of the 5th inning and 6th inning. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Eagles pitcher Sergio “Checo” Lopez was summoned to close out the Cardinals and save the game for the Eagles, striking out the first two batters and fielding a ground ball to the pitcher’s mound to retire the side and win the Area Championship. Eagles starting pitcher Alex Paniagua hurled five outstanding innings to earn the 5-3 win in Game 3, limiting the potent Cardinals hitters to three runs.
The Eagles will next face the La Joya High School Coyotes (22-2) in the Regional Quarterfinals, who swept San Antonio Stevens High School Falcons, during May 21-21, 2021 at Laredo Veterans Memorial Baseball Stadium. Game 1 is on Friday, May 21, at 7 p.m. Game 2 is on Saturday, May 22, at 1 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is 45 minutes following Game 2. There are now only 32 Texas high school baseball teams in Division 6A remaining in the third round of the state playoffs, including the Eagle Pass Eagles.
The Eagle Pass Eagles Baseball Team players include Tavare Chavez, Ramon Salinas, Mike Perry, Aidan Lopez, Sergio Lopez, Cesar Lopez, Jacob Ruiz, Omar Rodriguez, Ethan Gomez, Diego Martinez, Mathew Elizondo, Isaac Stanwick, Donovan Becerra, Aaron Trevizo, Jose Duran, Fabian Velasquez, Alex Paniagua, Juan Garza, Edward Mendoza, Izhar Mauricio, Derek Ruiz, Jarod Romero, Zack Zapata, CJ Jimenez, Dre Esquivel, and Joaquin Olivas.
Eagles Assistant Coaches include Henry Silva, Chris Villa, and Ricky Ruiz.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Eagles Baseball Team players, coaches, staff, parents, and aficionados on winning the Area Championship over the Harlingen Cardinals and wishes them all the best in the Regional Quarterfinals.
