and had to fight hard in their last two games to remain within striking distance of the District 29-AAAAAA Championship after toughing out games against both the Alexander Bulldogs and the United South Panthers.
At the onset, this reporter noticed that Eagle pitchers were in and around the strike zone before the Bulldogs loaded up the bases mostly bases on balls, “We were right there,” said Coach Reynol Mendoza, “Sometimes you get the calls, sometimes you don’t. We have to keep our composure and keep attacking and keep trying to get outs.”
The Eagles scored five runs in the first inning to jump out to a clear lead that they would never relinquish behind the pitching of Roly Riza who struck out two in the first, Edward Mendoza who struck out out five and Checo Lopez who came in to close it out.
Isaac Gonzalez hit and scored as did Braulio Rodriguez, Hector Montoya, Orly Garza and Edward Mendoza to put the Eagles up 5-0 after one. The Eagles would end up winning this one 6-2.
On Saturday, the eagles had to square off with one of the loop leaders in this district the United South Panthers and when you are fighting for a championship, the saying is that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best and it was on in The Gateway City.
Rey Rey Mendoza would be in charge on the hump and he did what he could to keep the district leaders at bay with a complete game; two-hit, five strikeout gem.
Mendoza allowed one hit, hit a batsman and gave up a walk in the first, but managed to get out of the inning by striking out shortstop Joel Hinojosa and right fielder Paco Hernandez to get out of the jam.
In the second inning he got DH Ernesto Meza to ground out to shortstop Isaac Gonzalez before striking out second baseman Mario Villanueva and catcher Gabriel Martinez in a onetwo-three inning.
The Bulldogs managed to plate two runs in the third when Alan Ferryron singled, Hinojosa was hit by a pitch, Nomar Garcia walked and two runs came in to score on a hit by Hernandez to get the Bulldogs within three, but it was a little too little, a little too late for the Dogs and the Eagles would take this one 6- 2.
Then on Saturday, the Eagles faced off with the first place, team the United South Panthers who they had to beat to have any aspirations for a district title.
It would be Rey Rey Mendoza against Greg Campos in this pivotal game and South would strike first when shortstop Bernard Pedraza reached on a walk, followed by an RBI triple by right fielder Jerry Villarreal plating the first run of the game for the Panthers, then Campos would aid his cause by singling in the second run of the inning. Campos would hold the Eagles batboy for the first three innings, but not until Braulio Rodriguez reached on an error by the catcher followed by a hit by Victor Perry. Hector Montoya would single in a run, then Orly Garza would clear the bases with another hit making the score 3-2.
The Eagles would add another run in the top of the sixth when Jacob Ruiz tripled and would come in on a hit by Rey Rey Mendoza. This was with two out when Campos managed to strike out the first two hitters in the inning.
The Panthers would answer right back when Villarreal would reach on a fielder’s choice, went to second on an error and eventually came in to score on another error making the score Eagles 4, Panthers 3.
Both pitchers would get out of the seventh unscathed and the Eagles take the slim one run victory. “It was a close game.
Rey Rey settled in , threw strikes consistently which was a key to his success. Our pitching and our defense made plays behind him,” said Coach Mendoza, “We got some key hits. Timely hitting got us runs.”
The Eagles have Del Rio to close out the season on Tuesday.
“Del Rio is good, they put the ball in play and they have pitchers that held us last time,” said Mendoza, “No one wants to lose their last game of the season.”
The scenario is as such: United played United South on Thursday. Eagle Pass has to hope they pulled of the win and defeat Alexander on Tuesday to have an outside shot the title. At the time of this printing, Alexander and South were tied for first with two losses apiece.