(McAllen, Texas)-The 31-5A Edinburg Vela Sabercats (11-12-1, 8-6) blew its lead in the fifth inning as the McAllen Bulldogs (15-9, 8-4) scored six unanswered runs, to win 11-9. The win keeps the Bulldogs in sole possession of second place while the Sabercats drops into a five-way tie for third place with McAllen Memorial, Sharyland, PSJA North, and McAllen Nikki Rowe. “We had our chances,” said Sabercats head coach Jaime Perez.
NCAA Division I prospect and a member of the Perfect Game, 6’4″ sophomore pitcher, Santiago Montes started the game for the Sabercats and finished the night with seven strike outs and 108 pitches thrown after four innings. He was relieved by Perez. After all, he had a great night with two hits too.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Sabercats led 9-5 and that’s when head coach Perez called on sophomore pitcher Romeo Bautistas to take over on the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning. Call it jitters, but it happened.
Bautistas walked McHi Justin Garza, followed by hit by Nathaniel Zaragosa. And then, things fell apart. The Bulldogs roared back scoring six runs on hits and sloppy play by the Sabercats defense. Worst, the Vela coaches were not happy with the strike-zone calls by the TASO officials. “This is ridiculous, that was good pitch,” one Vela coach shouted. The fifth inning ended with the McAllen Bulldogs leading 11-9.
Call it pure genius from longtime McHi baseball coach, Eliseo Pompa (838 career wins) as he pulled out one of his traditional play calls from his pockets and signaled to his player, Luis Esquivel the play. The play worked too. A bunt. A simple bunt caused kious for the Sabercats leading to bases loaded.
Next at bat, McHi Alfredo Resendez took advantage of the Sabercats miscues with a hit to deep center, narrowing the Sabercats lead to 9-7. McHi’s Avendano forced a fielder’s choice, scoring another run for the Bulldogs to close the lead, trailing 9-8. Frustrated, Perez made the call to put the next batter on and that call did not payoff as Bautistas would walk the next batter top load up the bases again.
Back at the plate was 6’3 offensive linemen, Bulldog Maddox Braxton. He smacked a shot to right center field. The shot scored three runs with Maddox sliding back to third base. He stood up with his clinched fists high. McAllen 11 Edinburg Vela 9. The Sabercats ended the night with eight errors. “We cannot play this way,” said Perez.
The Bulldogs will now play at Sharyland this Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. while the Sabercats will play host to league-leading Sharyland Pioneer (20-5, 12-1).
What A Comeback! McAllen scores six runs in fifth inning to beat Edinburg Vela 11-9. (HSSMImages)
NCAA Division I Prospect! Santiago Montes, a 6’4 sophomore pitcher from Edinburg Vela allowed three runs scored and struck out seven batters in four innings. (HSSMImages)