The Harlingen Cardinals are back on track after suffering their second district setback against Brownsville Hanna on March 28. Since then the Red Birds have won two straight against San Benito (8-5) and Harlingen South (11-1) to remain in the title hunt for District 32-6A.
Harlingen will look to continue its winning ways when they host BrownsvilleRivera (3-5) tonight at Harlingen Field at 7.
“We’ve played some really clean defense, which has really helped us,” said Harlingen High head coach Bryan Aughney. “There is three phases to the game that we talk about and work on all three phases. There’s no secret to success in this game; you make plays on defense, you throw strikes on offense and the make some timely hits on the offensive side. I think we’ve done a good job of the last couple of games.”
However, with both Brownsville Hanna and Los Fresnos also at 6-2 and vying for the league crown, it’s crowded at the top.
“With us all being 6-2 and Weslaco right behind us at 5-3, we talked about it today that everybody is going to bring it every game,” said Aughney. “We’ve got to be mentally prepared and ready to go from the first pitch to the last pitch because it’s a very competitive district this year.
“Each team has some guys that could do some things and if you’re not careful it can bite you and cost you.”
Just below the top three is Weslaco High with a record of 5-3, followed by Weslaco East 3-5, BrownsvilleRivera 3-5, Harlingen South 2-6 and San Benito 1-7.
Nevertheless, Coach Aughney and his team are solely focused on tonight’s matchup.
“Coach (Travis) Parker does a really good job coaching those guys and getting them prepared,” said Aughney. “I know they’ve had some hard luck here and there, but I know they are going to give us their best effort and they’re going to be prepared. So we have to be prepared and continue to do the things that we’ve been doing and play to our level.”
