HARLINGEN— There’s no better way to begin the second half of the district season than for two arch rivals going back and forth in a grudge match.
After dropping the first game of the season to the Harlingen South Lady Hawks, the Harlingen Lady Cardinals were looking to get even as they hosted South on Tuesday.
In a game that came down to the wire, the Lady Hawks were victorious in the end as they defeated the Lady Cardinals once again 12-11.
The win puts South at 6-2 on the District 32-6A season and head coach Elias Martinez was relieved his team pulled out the win in such a close game.
“In a matchup like this, all records go out the window since it is an age-old rivalry,” Martinez said. “You know, it was a great game for the fans because of the 23 runs from both teams, but we’re fortunate the game ended in our favor.”
Trailing 9-5 in the fifth inning, Harlingen’s Mikayla Cabriales stepped up to the plate with two outs on the board and the bases loaded.
Taking advantage of her grand opportunity, Cabriales hit a home run to left field to tie the game at 9-9 to end the fifth and put the Lady Hawks on their heels.
That was until South’s Kaitlynn De La Fuente answered with a home run of her own to put the Lady Hawks back on top.
The Lady Hawks scored two more runs in the sixth, pushing their lead to 12-10 after Harlingen’s Eneli Garza scored for the Lady Cardinals.
South didn’t score in the seventh and held a slim two-run lead over the Lady Cardinals.
Once again, Cabriales struck fire hitting yet another home run, this time to right field, to bring Harlingen within one at 12-11. But that was as close as the Lady Red Birds got as the Lady Hawks held on for the win.
