By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Tuesday, April 7 the Port Isabel Tarpons hosted the Progreso Red Ants in a non-district baseball game.
The Tarpons entered the game on a 3-game losing skid, but were looking to get back into the win column with a victory over the Red Ants.
Although the Red Ants have only won one game this season so far, their win against Santa Rosa (26-13) just happened prior to the matchup with PI, so the Tarpons had to be wary.
The Tarpons offense got off to a strong start as PI closed out the first inning with a 4-1 lead. The walks and hits kept coming as the Tarpons then extended their lead to 7-1 by the end of the second inning.
In the top of the third, PI pitcher Mayson Vasquez came in relief of starting pitcher Oro Rodriguez, and he continued the to put the clamps down on the Red Ants batting. Meanwhile in the bottom of the third, the Tarpons added another run after a player was hit by a pitch during bases loaded. Tarpons led 8-1 at the end of three.
In the bottom of the fourth, Rodriguez hit a long ball for a stand up double. While stealing third base, an errant throw had Rodriguez stealing home as well. Things didn’t get any better for the Red Ants after a pitching change as the Tarpons added three more runs on walks with bases loaded to make it a 12-1 game. Back to bat was Rodriguez who had a solid hit into the outfield where two players collided, leading to two more runs coming in, and the Tarpons now led 14-1.
The Red Ants entered the top of the fifth with their backs to the wall, as they would have to bring in some runs before the 10-run rule took effect. With baserunners on first and second, a base hit into right field brought in a runner to make it a 14-2 game. Things got interesting as another base hit brought in another run making it 14-3. Unfortunately for Progreso, a great stop and forced out at second base by shortstop Edward Garza ended the game.
Head coach Albert Barbarena III was glad with the win and especially when he got most if not all of the team involved on offense and defense. The matchup, “helped us get a good game in. Our kids are coming around putting in work.” Said coach Barbarena. “Everyone got to put some work in.”
The Tarpons will be back in district action on Friday, April 10 when they host the La Feria Lions at 7 p.m.
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