PHARR — Mission High senior J.R. Soto pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout against PSJA North for a 7-0 win in a District 31-6A play-in game Monday at PSJA North High School, securing the Eagles’ playoffs berth.
The Eagles and Raiders split their two-game season series and ended with 9-7 district records, forcing Monday’s play-in for District 31-6A’s No. 4 seed. It’s also Mission’s first playoff berth since 2018.
“I’m proud of these guys. They busted their rear ends to get to this point we’re at,” second-year head coach Leo Salinas Jr. said. “It’s all about them and the hard work they put in, what they believed and wanted to accomplish.”
Mission High keeps its season alive and heads into the playoffs for a bi-district test against District 32-6A champion Los Fresnos (23-6, 14-0). First round game details are to be determined.
Soto struck out 12 Raiders while allowing one hit and four walks across seven innings.
“Coming from a three-win season last year, everyone counted us out. Everyone thought we were going to be an easy team to beat,” Soto said. “We fought til the end, we fought from the beginning, we fought this whole season and I can confidently saythat we deserve this.”
Mission scored its first three runs thanks to PSJA North errors. The Eagles then loaded the bases during the third inning, setting up a Jonathan Marquez sacrifice fly and a two-RBI double by Damian Cortez for a 6-0 lead. Mission tacked on another insurance run during the seventh to secure the 7-0 victory.
FOR THE TOP SPOT
Sharyland Pioneer’s Oscar Serna hit a walk-off RBI single to lift the Diamondbacks over the McAllen Rowe Warriors 10-0 in five innings in a District 31-5A seeding game for the No. 1 seed.
The Diamondbacks (26-5) and Warriors (21-6) split the District 31-5A championship after posting identical 13-1 records in league play. In the postseason, however, Pioneer will represent the district as the No. 1 seed, with the Warriors at No. 2.
Pioneer’s Angel Larranaga and Rene Vela combined for the shutout and allowed three hits and no walks over five innings. Joshua Benitez led the Diamondbacks with three RBIs.
Sharyland Pioneer will open the playoffs against Brownsville Porter (15-13, 7-7), a rematch of last year’s bi-district matchup. McAllen Rowe will square off against Edcouch-Elsa (12-16-1, 8-6) in Round 1.
PALMVIEW, ROMA GET FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS
The La Joya Palmview Lobos (24-1, 10-0) and Roma Gladiators (14-13, 6-4) now have their bi-district opponents lined up after Corpus Christi Moody defeated Corpus Christi Carroll 5-4 in nine innings in a seeding game Monday for the No. 3 and 4 seeds from District 29-5A.
Palmview, the District 30-5A champion and No. 6-ranked team in Class 5A, according to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association, have won 18 straight games entering the postseason and will look to get past Corpus Christi Carroll. Meanwhile, No. 2-seeded Roma will face Corpus Christi Moody. Game details are to be determined.
