HARLINGEN — After a 2-year absence, the Harlingen Cardinals are back in the UIL state baseball playoffs and are set to take on Edinburg North in a Class 6A bi-district series beginning Friday.
Game 1 is set for 7 p.m. Friday and then the series shifts to Harlingen Field on Saturday for the remainder of the series. First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 4 p.m. and Game 3, if one is needed, will get underway at 7:30 p.m.
The Cardinals (16-8) finished as the No. 3 seed out of District 32-6A while the Cougars (17-4) are the No. 2 seed out of District 31-6A.
The Red Birds were actually contenders for their first league title since 2005, but unfortunately dropped their last three straight games against Los Fresnos, Brownsville Hanna and San Benito.
Meanwhile, the Cougars won their last six of seven but the one loss came against PSJA High, which ended up winning the 31-6A crown just one game ahead of North.
Before their late-season skid, the Cards had been smoking hot and won five in a row. They now hope they can get back that magic in order to win their first playoff series since 1998.
“What happened in the past is behind us and everyone in the playoffs is now 0-0,” said Cards head coach Bryan Aughney. “From here on out we’re just going to take it game by game and pitch by pitch. We know Edinburg North is a good team and we know that there are going to be ups and downs during this series, however, we’ll be ready to go.”
IF YOU GO
Harlingen (16-8) vs. Edinburg North (17-4)
Class 6A bi-district series
GAME 1: 7 p.m. at Edinburg North High School (3101 N. Closner Blvd.)
GAME 2: 4 p.m. Saturday at Harlingen Field (1216 Fair Park Blvd.)
GAME 3: 7:30 p.m. at Harlingen Field (If necessary)
HOW THEY FARED
How the Cardinals did in their last 10 games
3/24 Los Fresnos 7-6(W)
3/28 Brownsville Hanna 9-0(L)
3/31 San Benito 8-5(W)
4/04 Harlingen South 11-1(W)
4/07 Brownsville Rivera 4-1(W)
4/11 Weslaco 11-4(W)
4/13 Weslaco East 1-0(W)
4/18 Los Fresnos 9-1(L)
4/21 Brownsville Hanna 7-6(L)
4/25 San Benito 11-4(L)
The Cards finished the regular season at 9-5 in district and 16-8 overall
