Eagle Pass Eagles Sweep San Antonio O’Connor Panthers in Regional Quarterfinals Baseball Championship
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The Eagle Pass High School Eagles swept the San Antonio O’Connor Panthers in the University Interscholastic League Region IV-6A Regional Quarterfinals Baseball Championship best of three series on Saturday, May 20, 2023, with a solid 6-1 victory in Game 2 in San Antonio, Texas and an earlier 4-2 win in Game 1 on Friday, May 19, in Eagle Pass, Texas, clinching the Regional Quarterfinals Championship and advancing to the Regional Semifinals Championship (Round 4) against the Austin Westlake Chaparrals.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, the Eagles crushed the O’Connor Panthers 6-1 in Game 2 with clutch base hits, great pitching from sophomore right-handed pitcher Hector Buentello, and solid defensive play on the field to garner the Regional Quarterfinals Championship.
The Panthers jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Eagles offense exploded in the top of the third inning for four consecutive base hits, including two triples, to tally four runs and take a commanding 4-1 lead, which they never relinquished.
In the top of the third inning, lead off hitter Isaac Stanwick singled to center field, followed by Robert De La Garza belting a triple to left center field gap scoring Stanwick, Aidan Lopez legged-out an infield hit, designated hitter Izhar Mauricio slammed a triple over the out-stretched glove of the Panthers right fielder scoring De La Garza and Lopez, and Mauricio scored on a fielder’s choice ground ball hit by Mike Kypuros before the top-half of the inning ended, giving the Eagles a 4-1 lead over the Panthers.
The game remained 4-1 until the top of the fifth inning when Izhar Mauricio received a base on balls with one out and first baseman Derek Ruiz blasted a two run home run over the right field fence, extending the Eagles lead to 6-1 while chasing Panthers’ starting pitcher Efrain Estrada from the game.
Eagles starting pitcher Hector Buentello settled down after the first inning and dominated the potent Panthers hitters with a combination of pitches, including a nasty breaking curve ball, change-up, and slider, for the following six innings, tossing a complete game to earn the 6-1 win and securing the Regional Quarterfinals Championship.
GAME ONE
On Friday, May 19, 2023, Game 1 of the series was played at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center’s Leopoldo “Polo” Moncada Baseball Stadium before a packed home crowd in Eagle Pass, Texas.
The Eagles exploded for three runs in the bottom of the second inning against Panthers starting pitcher Miguel Bustamante on three base hits highlighted by a two RBI single by third baseman Obie Martinez to take an early 3-0 lead in the game.
The Panthers managed to tally two runs in the top of the fourth inning with two outs against Eagles starting pitcher Donavan Becerra, narrowing the score 3-2.
The Eagles plated an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend their lead 4-2.
Eagles starting right-handed pitcher Donavan Becerra tossed six complete innings, muzzling the potent Panthers hitters with his fast ball, slider, and curve ball.
Eagles right-handed pitcher Alex Paniagua was summoned in the top of the seventh inning in relief of Becerra to shut down the Panthers and secure the key Game 1 victory by the score of 4-2.
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
The Eagles sweep over the O’Connor Panthers earned them the right to advance to the fourth round of the state baseball playoffs known as the Regional Semifinals Championship against the Austin Westlake Chaparrals, who defeated the Round Rock Dragons 2-1 in their best of three series.
The Eagles versus Austin Westlake Chaps Regional Semifinals Championship dates, times, and sites for next week will be announced soon. Stay tuned.
