(Beeville, Texas)-At Coastal Bend College, the 30-5A La Joya Palmview Lobos (29-10) watched its season slide as 25-5A Leander Rouse won in two games, 4-2, and 3-2 to advance to the UIL State 5A Regional Semifinals. The Lobos were dealt with two heart-breaking moments in Game Two. The first, the slide at home by Rouse that was called safe by the umpire to tie the game at 2-2 in the second inning. “That was a questionable call,” said Ricky Garcia, Palmview head coach.
The second miscue was really heart-breaking. With Leander Rouse’s Blake Gonzalez, batting in the bottom of the seventh inning and facing two outs, a full count, and the game-winning runner at second base, Gonzalez hits a shallow pop-up to centerfield. The Palmview center fielder, Tony Villarreal made an effort, but fell short, as he watched his ball come out of his glove as the Raiders Tyler Espinoza scored to win the Best-of-Three series. “That one hurts,” said Garcia as he fell to his knees as he watched his centerfielder dropped the ball on a diving catch. “Still, I’m proud of our players. We played a great series and fell short. It was great season.”
At Laredo, the 31-6A PSJA Bears (28-10) captured Game One on Thursday by defeating San Antonio Johnson (33-5-2) 5-4 and then lost Games Two and Three to end its season in the Class 6A Region IV Semifinals. With the Jaguars win, they will now play 26-6A Austin Westlake in the 6A Region IV Finals.
