Eagle Pass Eagles Steal Home Plate in Extra Innings to Snatch Game 1 from La Joya Coyotes in Regional Quarterfinals, 1-0
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles gutsiest gamble to steal home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs snatched the Game 1 victory against the resilient La Joya High School Coyotes in their best of three series Regional Quarterfinals on Friday, May 21, 2021, at Veterans Baseball Stadium in Laredo, Texas as Eagles standout shortstop Jacob Kobe Ruiz doubled to center field with two outs, stole third base, and stole home plate to score the lone and winning run of the third round playoff game.
With the courageous victory in Game 1, the Eagle Pass Eagles take a key 1-0 lead in the best of three series. Game 2 of the series is Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Baseball Stadium in Laredo, Texas. Game 3, if necessary, is 45 minutes following Game 2.
Eagles ace pitcher Sergio “Checo” Lopez hurled an outstanding complete game (8 innings) allowing only four hits, seven strike outs, and no earned runs agains the Coyotes to earn the playoff win.
Coyotes southpaw pitcher J.C. Gutierrez tossed also an outstanding game going seven and two-third innings allowing only two hits, 13 strike outs, three bases on balls, one hit batsman, and one earned run in taking the loss.
Both teams locked up in a pitchers’ duel between Eagles right-handed Sergio “Checo” Lopez and Coyotes lefty J.C. Gutierrez going into extra innings when in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs Eagles shortstop Jacob Kobe Ruiz doubled to center field, stole third base, and stole home plate, catching by surprise lefty Gutierrez and causing him to panic and rush his pitch to home plate wide and in the dirt past the catcher allowing Ruiz to steal home plate standing up for the lone run in the game.
Unquestionably, the Eagles Game 1 victory over the Coyotes by calling Ruiz to steal home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs will go down as one of the most exciting and memorable Eagles Baseball playoff victories.
All Eagle Pass Eagle Nation aficionados are encouraged to attend Game 2 on Saturday, May 22 at 1 p.m. in Laredo, Texas to cheer and support the Eagles on to victory over the La Joya Coyotes.
Go Eagles Baby!
