The Eagles won game one 13-3 in six innings, and both teams came back for the rematch at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
     During the first inning of game two, Catcher Diego Gaona threw in time to Eric Gonzalez at second base to bust a steal attempt by the Jaguars.  
     Gilbert Villalobos (EPHS’s starting pitcher) then walked three straight batters and Johnson was able to occupy all of the bases. Villalobos struck out the next hitter, and a force out at second ended the inning.
     Juan Lopez made the first hit for EPHS in the second inning with a double. Lopez reached third base when R.J. Ruiz was forced out at first, but would be left stranded.
     The Jaguars placed runners at the corners in the bottom of the second (with two outs), but the Eagles held them there.
     Eric Gonzalez singled in the third stanza, but was left stranded as the game remained scoreless.  
     A double in the bottom of the third gave Johnson a runner in scoring position. The Jaguars’ runner moved to third and then came home when one of his teammates hit a triple. A single by Johnson’s next hitter plated another run and the Jaguars took a 2-0 lead.
     Eagle Pass kindled its bats in the fourth stanza.
     Mando Lopez got on base with a double and courtesy runner Fernando Garza came in for him. Garza was moved to third off of a single by Juan Lopez. 
     R.J. Ruiz tagged a single that brought in Garza. Javy Cardona later singled to bring in courtesy runner Olexis Gutierrez and tie the score 2-2. Roland Rodriguez hit a single, moments later, that scored two runners and the Eagles took a 4-2 lead.
     The Jaguars placed runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. A hit by Johnson plated a run that cut into EPHS’s lead 4-3, and left the Jags with runners at second and third.
     Head Coach Reynol Mendoza then inserted Chris Perez on the mound. 
     The Eagles intentionally walked the Jaguars’ next hitter. Johnson’s next hitter smacked a double to clear the bases and return the lead to his team 6-4 on the bottom of the fourth. 
     In the top of the fifth, Devon Torres got on first his while his hit was mishandled by an infielder. A single by Gaona moved Torres to second. 
     A hit from Mando Lopez allowed Torres to touch home and the Eagles sliced into their deficit 6-5 with no outs. 
     Johnson intentionally walked Juan Lopez and EPHS loaded the bases with courtesy runner Alexander Martinez at third and Mando Lopez at second. 
     R.J. Ruiz singled to plate Alexander Martinez and tie the score 6-6.
     Jacoup Roiz hit a single to bring in Mando Lopez and EPHS took its second lead 7-6 in the top of the fifth frame. Juan Lopez attempted to score during Roiz’s hit, but was stopped at home plate.
     A pair of hits gave Johnson runners at first and second in the bottom of the fifth, but they advanced no further.
     Martinez came in to run for Gaona who was walked with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Mando Lopez was walked and Martinez moved to second. Martinez reached third, and Mando Lopez moved to second, off of a single by Juan Lopez to load the bases. 
     R.J. Ruiz then singled and Martinez was plated to increase the Eagles’ edge 8-6 in the sixth.
     The Jags positioned runners at the corners during the bottom of the sixth frame. A single by Johnson scored a run to trim the Eagles’ lead 8-7.  
     Mendoza then sent in Devon Torres to the mound. Torres quelled the Jags’ threat (runners at first and second) by striking out their next two hitters.
     Torres dismissed one more hitter in the bottom of the seventh and his teammates completed the final two outs for the win.                          
     The Eagles are now scheduled to play the winner between Laredo United and San Antonio O’Connor (who were scheduled to meet later on Saturday) in the Region IV final round at a date, location, format and time to be determined later. 
     Individual pitching statistics: Gilbert Villalobos – eight hits, four walks and three strikeouts. Chris Perez – four hits, and two strike outs. Devon Torres – four strike outs. 
     Individual Hitting statistics: Juan Lopez – 3-3, RBI. R.J. Ruiz – 3-4, 2 RBI. Mando Lopez – 3-3, 1 RBI. Roland Rodriguez – 1-4, 2 RBI. Javy Cardona – 1-4, RBI. Jacoup Roiz – 1-4, RBI. Eric Gonzalez – 1-4. Devon Torres – 2-4. Diego Gaona – 1-3.
     (Rey Sifuentes Jr. is the sports editor of the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune which is located in East Texas. He is also a 1992 graduate of Eagle Pass High School. Sifuentes can be reached on Facebook and atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also follow him through Twitter at @eaglesmavericks.)