Eagle Pass Eagles Fall to San Antonio O’Connor Panthers 5-2 in Game 2 of Regional Quarterfinals Championship, Tying Series 1-1
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles fell to San Antonio O’Connor High School Panthers 5–2 in Game 2 of their best of three series for the U.I.L. Regional Quarterfinals Championship, Region IV-6A, on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the San Antonio Northside Independent School District Don Hardin Sports Complex Baseball Field No. 2 in San Antonio, Texas, tying the series 1-1 and forcing a winner take all Game 3 on Saturday, May 21, at a neutral site-Jourdanton Independent School District Baseball Stadium at 12 Noon in Jourdanton, Texas.
The visiting Eagles needing a win in Game 2 to sweep the Panthers and clinch the series opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. With two outs, first baseman Derek Ruiz received a base on balls, followed by Jared Romero and Robert De La Garza also getting base on balls to load the bases with catcher Joaquin Olivas stroking a single to right field to score Ruiz and Romero but De La Garza was picked off between third base and home plate for the third out.
The Panthers seeking a win in Game 2 to stay alive roared back in the bottom of the first inning plating four runs of their own, taking advantage of Eagles starting pitcher Robert De La Garza ball control problem as he walked the first three Panther batters to load the bases without any outs. Eagles Head Coach Reynol Mendoza had no choice but to pull De La Garza from the mound and brought in lefty Jose Duran in relief in the bottom of the first inning without any outs and bases loaded. Duran struck out Panther clean up hitter, Cross Valdez, for the first out, but Miguel Bustamante slapped a two run RBI single to left center field to tie the game and Anthony Copabianco belted an RBI single to the left field wall, and Aaron Olivas stroked another RBI single but was tagged out at second base for the second out, and the next batter grounded out to end the inning, taking a 4-2 lead over the Eagles.
Both teams threatened on several innings but failed to score a run until the top of the fifth when Panther second baseman Giancarlo Maldonado slammed a home run off the right-center field fence to increase the lead to 5-2, which was the final score.
The Panthers avenged a loss in Game 1 of the series at Eagle Pass, Texas with their Game 2 win, forcing a final winner take all in Game 3 of the series to be played in Jourdanton, Texas.
All loyal Eagle Nation baseball fans are invited to attend Game 3 of the series today, Saturday, May 21, at 5 p.m. at the Jourdanton ISD Baseball Stadium in Jourdanton, Texas and cheer the Eagles to victory.
Go Eagles Baby!
