(Weslaco, Texas)-It was a moment. District 32-6A Weslaco High School freshmen third baseman, John Reyna swung and missed with bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, tied with 30-6A Eagle Pass (15-18-4) 8-8 and one out. He looked at his rookie head baseball coach, JJ Garcia and nodded, “I got this.” The next pitch was for the win as the Weslaco Panthers raced towards Reyna as he hit an infield, fielders choice to give his team a three-run, come from behind win over the Eagles 9-8 in the seventh inning. With the win, the Panthers will advance to the UIL State 6A Region IV Baseball Quarterfinals Championships against La Joya High School next weekend for the first time since 2007.
The Panthers (26-9-1) watched their chances of winning dim after the Eagles exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-0 lead. In the fifth, the Panthers did the same by scoring six unanswered runs to trail 7-6. The Eagles would add another run to make it 8-6 going into the final inning. The Eagles struggled on the mound and loaded the bases twice in the seventh inning, with three relief pitchers. The Eagles walked in a run to make it 8-8. “This is amazing,” rookie head baseball coach, JJ Garcia. “I’m short for words right now.” (HSSMImages/DeLeon)
TASO official calls Eagle Pass runner safe! Weslaco challenged the call and TASO stayed with its decision. (HSSMImages/DeLeon)
Flyin’ Home! The Eagle Pass Eagles takes 7-0 lead over Weslaco. (HSSMImages/DeLeon)