McALLEN — McAllen Memorial sophomore Kaitlyn Martin scored the game-winning run during the bottom of the ninth inning on an error by Sharyland Pioneer, as the Mustangs defeating the Diamondbacks 5-4 on Friday at the McAllen Memorial Softball Field.
The Mustangs’ victory vaults them from fifth to third in the final District 31-5A standings, sending them into the postseason, while snapping the D’backs’ 15 game-winning streak.
McAllen Memorial takes on Weslaco East during the Class 5A bi-district round at a date, time and location to be determined. Sharyland Pioneer, which finished first in District 31-5A with a 13-1 mark, will face off against either Brownsville Lopez or Edcouch-Elsa at a date, time and location to be determined.
After playing a near-perfect game through five innings, errors proved to be the Diamondbacks’ downfall, committing a pair during the bottom of the sixth to allow the game-tying runs to get on base.
A sacrifice fly by Cassie Gonzalez and an RBI single by Jordan Gutierrez brought in the tying runs during the inning.
With two runners on base, McAllen Memorial’s Joyce Gonzalez fired a shot deep into left field. Despite being caught by a Sharyland Pioneer defender, the hit set up Martin to steal home for the win.
