The Lady Eagles did what they could to come back from a two run deficit in Game 1 in Eagle Pass with their best hitter in the box and runners on second and third when Sandra Selina Mendoza came through in the clutch taking a Victoria Vasquez pitch and lacing it over the third base bag, bringing in the winning runs, unfortunately these types of bang bang plays are left to the judgement of the umpire who proceeded to call it foul.
Notwithstanding, the three-time MVP told her coach, 'I got this' and blasted a fly into left center which the Rattler left fielder was able to run down to end the rally and Game 1.
The Lady Eagles left early on Friday and Ruiz advised The News Gram that it would take another team effort to get back in this thing and send it to a third game and the girls lived up to the billing scoring two in the opening frame to go up on Vasquez and the Rattlers, however San Marcos answered with two of their own and it was on.
Krystal De La Cruz would be called upon once again to work her southpaw magic to keep a solid lineup of hitters at bay and keep it close for her offense, but the Rattlers were able to scatter two more over the course of the next six innings to Eagle Pass' lone tally to win the game and the series two games to nil. Sandra Mendoza won her third MVP award and was named first team all district along with Junior Hurler Krystal De La Cruz, battery mate Claudia Cruz, Second- baseman Mel Mendoza, first-baseman Sammy Fuentes, third-basemen Nina Flores, left-fielder Krystal Perez, Center-Fielder Monica Flores, Right-Fielder Vivian Ramirez and DP Dariela Velasquez. Saira Gonzalez received Honorable Mention.
The Eagles however proceeded to outclass and out score the Edinburgh North Bobcats who had come off of eliminating Laredo United.
Reynol Mendoza's boys went to town on Cougar pitching in Game 1 scoring 10 runs on 15 hits as RJ3, Eric Gonzalez, Mando Lopez, Diego Gaona and Kevin Chisum having multple hit nights which was all Tony Galvan needed to close out the complete game four hitter.
In Game 2, it was Julian Castañeda's turn to get some more invaluable playoff experience as he went three and Carlos Barrera made his first mound appearance of the palyoffs getting the 'W' and aiding his cause with two hits and battery mate Diego Gaona went yard with two on. RJ Ruiz was 2 for 2 and Isaac Ramirez had two hits of his own, but the shot that stole the show on Saturday was Mando Lopez' Grand Slam in the top of the seventh to seal the deal for the Eagles 7-0 and catapult the Burnt Orange and White to the Region IV Semis against perennial playoff contenders, the Corpus Christi Carroll Tigers Friday, May 23rd at the Spring Sports Complex at 7:30 PM.
One game for the right to move on to the Regional Final, Godspeed and good luck to the Eagle Pass Eagles, wear your Burnt Orange and White proudly, be there, be early, but by all means... BE LOUD!!! Let's do this.