By LARRY GAGE
The Port Isabel Tarpons handled the Progreso Red Ants by the score of 16-1 on the road Tuesday night, and are now aiming for a playoff spot with two games remaining. As mentioned previously, the Tarpons control their own destiny. Win these last two games and the playoffs are assured.
Pitcher Bobby Barker went the six inning distance and took the win. He struck out a season-high 13 Red Ant batters, walked two, and surrendered four hits. The one opposing run was earned.
“I was just trying to throw strikes and my location was pretty good,” he said after practice on Wednesday.
The fielding was right on as well, as the visitors played error-free baseball the whole way. “They didn’t hit very much,” head coach Robert Holland said Wednesday. “We made the plays.”
The Tarpon JV team won 18-0. Pitcher Tommy Ogletree went the distance (4 innings) and got the win.
Armando Fierro led the team in hitting, as he went 4-5 at the plate with two RBI’s and he scored twice. Bucky Rivera was 3-4 and had two RBI’s. His courtesy runner, Isaiah Martinez crossed the plate twice. Kenny Herrera got two hits in five at-bats, had two RBI’s, and scored two runs. Blake Sapp hit safely twice, including a double, and stole two bases. Roger Villareal went 1-1, reached first on balls three times, and scored twice. Bobby and Josh Barker each collected a hit and the latter scored a run. Johnny Loera doubled and drove in two runs.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Apr. 21 edition of the Port Isabel South Padre Press or check out our E-edition by clicking here.