WESLACO — The San Benito Lady Greyhounds made a statement Tuesday night by taking control of District 32-6A with a convincing 7-1 win over Weslaco High.
Much like in their first meeting earlier this season, San Benito used a pair of dingers from Sarah Garcia and Karina Cisneros, and relied on their hurler Eliana Carrizales, who twirled a complete-game gem of one-run ball.
“My defense did amazing tonight,” Carrizales said. “Having a great defense behind me gives me confidence to go out there and play my game. I’ve pitched in big games this season so that also has given me confidence.”
With the win, San Benito clinches a share of the district crown with a 12-1 league record. Meanwhile, Harlingen South snapped a two game skid with a win over Weslaco East and is alone in second place with an 11-2 record. With the loss, Weslaco dropped to third with a 10-3 record.
The Lady Hounds can win the league crown outright with a win Friday at Harlingen High. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
San Benito’s Audrey Huerta set the tone with a leadoff double and later scored on a throwing error. Huerta continues to thrive at the leadoff spot as the senior went 3 for 5 at the plate.
In the second inning, after a leadoff single by Garcia, Cinsneros belted a two-run shot that gave San Benito an early 3-0 lead.
Building an early lead and relying on pitching has become a nice trend for head coach Denise Lira’s club.
“If we can get some runs early it eases our team and helps out our pitchers,” Lira said. “When you go out there and have a lead early, on the road especially, it builds your confidence. We are keeping the same approach and we are enjoying this one as a team tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work for us and we need to prepare for Harlingen on Friday.”
The Lady Hounds scored in every inning but two. They added a run in the fourth and fifth inning, and a pair of runs in the sixth.
In the sixth, the Lady Hounds loaded the bases and Garcia drove in a run on an opposite-field RBI single to make it 6-1. After being intentionally walked twice, Joanna Gonzalez swatted an RBI double, putting the icing on the cake at 7-1.
“I’m always thinking ‘hit’ when I go up to the plate,” Garcia said. “Any way I can help my team I’m willing to do. The home runs come when they come, but when I hit it tonight it felt good; it felt smooth. Tonight we all hit the ball well and kept the rallies going. Right now we’re fighting hard to win district and we’re almost there, and we are hoping it all turns out great.”
