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By Rey Sifuentes Jr.
Laredo Alexander High School’s varsity baseball team (ranked third in the state) was not happy that Eagle Pass knotted up their District 29-5A opener (5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning) held here on Tuesday night.
Alexander skipper Mario Garcia, according to Eagle Pass’ Reynol Mendoza, threw two major tantrums (in which he exchanged words with both officials and one of EPHS’ players), and then the number three team in Texas picked up it toys and went home.
Currently, the Eagles are accredited with the win as officials have declared Alexander’s departure as a forfeit – but further action by the district executive committee may be forthcoming.
Behind 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Eagles rallied and tied the score.
Mendoza said that Garcia contested the Eagles’ final run, but the umpires did not overturn it. That prompted Garcia to go into a heated verbal tirade (including throwing his cap to the ground and kicking it) that lasted about three minutes.
Meanwhile, a handful of upset Alexander fans became vocally belligerent, and were ejected by officials.
The top of the seventh inning commenced briefly, but action came to a halt again when Alexander’s batter traded words with Eagle Pass’ catcher.
Both coaches came out to settle their players, and then Garcia (according to Mendoza) began berating the Eagles’ catcher. Mendoza stepped in front of Garcia, in defense of his catcher, and Garcia bumped his shoulder intoMendoza.
That is when both teams cleared their benches.
Mendoza admits that none of his players or assistant coaches exchanged blows.
“The only contact that took place was when Garcia bumped his shoulder into me,” Mendoza said.
Officials tried to continue the game, but the Bulldogs had had enough.
“After all of the commotion, the umpires got everything under control,” Mendoza said. “They tried to resume the game and start the seventh inning. But at that time Coach Garcia decided not to play anymore. So the umpires called the game. The umpires told me that Alexander refused to continue the game, and so that it counted as a forfeited win for us.”
Garcia supposedly pointed at the EP crowd when asked by the umpire why is team was packing up and going home.
“Coach Garcia said that his team was not going to play in front of ‘these fans’,” Mendoza said. “By that point, our fans were all excited and riled up. C.C. Winn had just concluded its softball game held here, so all of that crowd came here so we had a full crowd that was completely into the game. We had nothing to cheer for until the bottom of the sixth inning as we were losing 5-0. We scored five in the bottom of the sixth and our crowd, of course, got loud.”
Both teams are scheduled to meet again in Laredo on April 5.
BEFORE TUESDAY
The Eagles won three games and then dropped two straight while competing at a tournament hosted by Comal Independent School District Thursday through Saturday.
EPHS defeated Seguin 16-1, San Antonio Burbank 7-2, and Boerne Champion 8-4; then lost against state front runners Calallen 7-2 and John Paul II 10-3.
Mendoza said each of his team’s losses were the result of a poor stanza.
“Against Calallen (who is ranked number one in state as a 4A) we were tied 2-2 when we had our bad inning,” Mendoza said. “Versus John Paul (number one in state TAPPS 5A division) we were also tied 2-2 and one bad inning became the difference.”
EPHS has hung tough against formidable opponents, but one bad inning has been a consistent hindrance.
“One of the biggest things we need to improve is our consistency,” Mendoza said. “We tend to have a bad inning when we play against the tough teams. Among the four toughest teams we have played so far this season, we have had a total of five bad innings which have cost us the games. I think if we just become more consistent in making the necessary plays, and eliminate errors, then we should be okay.”
Thus the reason Mendoza annually schedules his teams to face tough opponents during non-district.
“I always strive to play the toughest competition as possible during non-district because you need to play the best teams in order to find out what you need to do to beat them,” Mendoza said. “Especially this year, our district is going to be very tough. So we are playing as many tough teams as possible in order to get ready for district.”
Getting into the playoffs – which the Eagles traditionally accomplish – will not be an easy task this season.
“Of the seven teams in our district, about six are legitimate contenders for the district title and the four available playoff sports,” Mendoza said. “So there are not going to be any easy games for anyone in this district. Most of the time, if not all, we are going to go up against our opponents’ number one pitcher. All of the Laredo schools tend to throw their number one pitchers at Eagle Pass.”
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The Eagle Pass Eagles squared off against the strong Alexander Bulldogs on Friday evening and came out firing on a nice pass to the middle where the Eagle forward took the ball moved to his left and let go of a shot from mid-range, approximately 20 feet from the goal as the ball bent into the back of the net as Alexander's goalie reached but could not get to the ball for the 1-0 lead. The Eagles defended well but with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Alexander took the ball right then sent a center pass into the area which was headed in by the Alexander striker, a magnificent goal to tie it at 1-1. The Bulldogs scored again in when a pass to the middle found the Alexander forward in the area. He weaved his way into the area juking two or three Eagle defenders and shot low right to get the game winner past the Eagle goalie for the 2-1 match winner. District 29-AAAAA soccer has improved immensely and the competition is fierce. Eagle Pass Soccer in particular has seen the benefit of many of their players joining elite teams and travel squads which have been garnering championships at the state and national levels. Coach Juan Chavez and his side should be solid on both sides of the field and this match indicates thatthey can compete at this the highest level of soccer in the University Interscholastic League. This match was one of the first held at the new EPISD Football Stadium this season.
By Rey Sifuentes Jr.
TRACK
C.C. Winn High School's varsity boys track and field teams competed at a meet held in Uvalde on Saturday, February 23.
The Mavericks varsity team scored 14 points.
Deion Alonso finished second in the Long Jump with a leap of 19’1.5”.
Harish Garcia placed fifth in the 800-meter Run.
Kevin De Luna, Chris Cantu, Jonathan Montalvo and Alonso placed fifth in the 400-meter Relay.
CCWN's junior varsity boys team scored 14 points.
Victor Delgado was the winner of the High Jump with a leap of 5’6”.
Emilio Hinojosa placed fifth in the Discus with a throw of 98’-8.75”.
Eduardo Martinez, Hector Salazar, Eduardo Salazar and Delgado came in sixth in the 800-meter Relay.
CCWN is scheduled to compete at the Queen City Relays in Del Rio on Friday, March 8.
SOFTBALL
C.C. Winn High School’s varsity softball team stomached a tough 12-0 loss against Del Rio on Tuesday.
Mustering hits were Loretta Sanchez (2-3), Rose Mary Hernandez (1-3), Ari Ruiz (1-2), Caridad Garcia (1-2), and Giselle Cerdo (1-1).
The Lady Mavericks previously finished fifth at a tournament held in La Joya last weekend.
The Lady Mavericks won their first game against PSJA Southwest 11-1.
CCWN tallied two runs in the first inning, five in the third, one in the fourth, and three in the fifth.
Brittany Perez was the winning pitcher.
Coming through at the plate were Natalie Garcia (4-4, two runs scored), Alyssa Lopez (3-4), Ariana Ruiz (2-4, two runs scored), Caridad Garcia (1-2 two runs scored), Ronnie Valdez (1-2, two runs scored), Lorena Sanchez (1-3), Daisy Diaz (1-1), Giselle Cerda (run scored), and Leslie Salinas (run scored).
CCWN lost its next two games against Donna (7-4) and PSJA North (11-0).
The Lady Mavericks rebounded in their fourth contest, outpunching La Joya 11-10.
CCWN tallied three runs in the first inning, six in the fourth, and two in the fifth.
Brittany Perez was the winning pitcher.
Lorena Sanchez (1-2, 4 RBI) smacked a grand slam homerun. Also hitting the ball were Natalie Garcia (2-3, three runs scored), Lesly Salinas (1-1, two runs scored), Karla Lopez (1-1, one run scored), Ariana Ruiz (1-3, one run scored), Giselle Cerda (1-3, one run scored) and Rosemary Hernandez (one run scored).
The Lady Mavericks won their final tournament game against McAllen Memorial 12-5. CCWN scored five runs in the first inning, and seventh in the fifth.
Britanny Perez was once again the victorious hurler.
Garnering hits were Natalie Garcia 3-4, two runs scored), Ronnie Valdez (2-2, two runs scored), Daisy Diaz (2-4, two runs scored), Ariana Ruiz (2-4, two runs scored), Caridad Garcia (2-4, one run scored), Amberly Garza (1-3, one run scored), Alyssa Lopez (1-3, one run scored), Rosemary Hernandez (one run scored).
GAMES THIS WEEK
C.C. Winn High School’s varsity and junior varsity softball teams visit Carrizo Springs at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Both teams then host Laredo Alexander at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. during ‘Parents’ Night’ on Friday.
C.C. Winn High School’s varsity and junior varsity girls soccer teams have a BYE on Tuesday. Both teams host Laredo Alexander at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
C.C. Winn High School’s varsity and junior varsity boys soccer teams have a BYE on Tuesday. Both teams visit Laredo Alexander at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
C.C. Winn High School’s varsity baseball team visits Del Rio at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and then competes at a tournament to be held in Austin Thursday through Saturday.
The Mavericks junior varsity and freshmen baseball teams visit Del Rio on Tuesday (5 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and then host Del Rio at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.