By LARRY GAGE
The Port Isabel Tarpons got past the Lions of La Feria 4-0 on the road on Friday night. They did it with good fielding and hitting and another strong performance on the mound by pitcher Bobby Barker.
The Tarpons have good speed on the base paths and they used it to good advantage on this night. The game was scoreless in the third inning when Kenny Herrera singled and two walks sent him to third base. From there he scored on a passed ball and P.I. was up 1-0.
In the fourth Blake Sapp doubled in Isaiah Martinez and Roger Villareal drove in Sapp with a single, and the Tarpons took a 3-0 lead. In the top half of the seventh and final inning Villareal reached first on a walk, then stole second base. He went to third on Armando Fierro’s ground out at first. Villareal came home on an overthrow and that was a final, 4-0.
Pitcher Bobby Barker again went the distance. He struck out nine Lion batters, gave up only two hits, and walked two. In the last six games Barker has tossed two no-hitters, a one-hitter, and a two-hitter.
Pitching is a definite strength for Port Isabel this year. Armando Fierro has also thrown a no-hit game. Johnny Loera has pitched a one-hitter and a four-hitter. And Josh Barker, in his first start last week, threw a four-hit game.
With the win, the Tarpons break out of a tie with La Feria and are now alone in third place in District 32-3A. The top three teams in the final standings will make the playoffs.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Apr. 14 edition of the Port Isabel South Padre Press or check out our E-edition by clicking here.
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