RIO HONDO — The freshmen arms of Rio Hondo’s Kelsey Pizarro and Domo De Jesus kept the Port Isabel hitters guessing all night.
Pizarro provided the speed while De Jesus provided the junk as the two combined for a 1-run, 1-hit complete game gem.
While the youngsters took care of business in the circle, fellow freshman Abbie Torris swatted a two-run double in the third inning, pushing the Lady Cats to a 5-3 win to cap off a 14-0 District 32-4A run on Friday.
After the win, Rio Hondo received the championship hardware, which was its fifth straight district title.
“We always want to be perfect,” said Rio Hondo coach Brett Esparza. “There was no need for any extra motivation tonight because it’s Port Isabel. All the rivalry we have with PI is alive here, and you don’t want to head into the playoffs with a loss, but at the same time I wanted to give the young girls time in the circle.”
Pizarro shook off a rough start by hitting two of the first three batters she faced. She quickly recovered, however, and struck out the side. Pizarro whiffed batters early and often as she pitched through four complete innings, striking out seven while yielding one hit and one run.
De Jesus came on in relief and pitched the fifth and sixth innings, and Pizarro finished things off in the seventh.
“Kelsey did a great job in the circle. She fought back in that first inning and did well,” Esparza said. “Then we have Domo (De Jesus) and she is a great change of pace. She has great stuff and the ball just jumps off her hand. We were able to throw Kelsey back in to finish it off.”
Alvarado, Cruz ready for playoff encore: Seniors Abbie Alvarado and Bianca Cruz have been a part of a district title each of their four years. This year’s group of seniors dominated District 32-4A by going 54-3 and 95-24 overall.
Last year’s regional final loss to Beeville Jones is still fresh in Alvarado’s mind and is ready to right the wrong and help guide Rio Hondo on another playoff run.
“It’s exciting and it means so much to us,” Alvarado said. “Over the last four years we have become a family and built a sisterhood. To have four years of winning and going through the highs and lows together, but it means a lot. We’re ready for the playoffs; we talked about this moment, to get back to the playoffs. We want to show people that last year wasn’t just a one-year thing. We have the confidence right now and we’re ready.”
Cruz, meanwhile, has returned to her spot in center field and bats at the top of the order. She has provided the senior leadership and, like Alvarado, is ready to go out with a bang.
“It’s been great to be a part of the program, I have worked hard and I do it for my family, my coaches and for my friends,” Cruz said. “We have earned this five-peat. It is a great feeling to have. To see the hard work and commitment we put into this program is a great feeling. And we’re feeling confident heading into the playoffs, we know how we play and we are ready to rise up.”
