BY CLAIRE CRUZ |
LA VILLA — It happened the hard way, but Port Isabel is playoff bound. The Tarpons defeated Progreso 5-4 in La Villa on Monday to clinch the final playoff spot out of District 32-4A.
“We started last week two games down, and we put it point blank—either you get it done or it’s over—and the kids stepped up,” Tarpon head coach Robert Holland said. “It was a rough year, believe me, but they stayed the course.”
Port Isabel, Progreso and Rio Hondo ended the district season on Friday tied for fourth, forcing a play-in series. Progreso got into the winner-take-all game with a 4-1 victory over Rio Hondo earlier Monday evening.
The Bobcats struggled defensively and failed to extend innings with their bats in the opening contest. They sent four or less batters to the plate six of seven frames and went down in order in the first, fourth and seventh.
Sophomore Samuel Cerda pitched a complete game two-hitter against Rio Hondo and started the second game. He pitched three innings against Port Isabel before sophomore Josh San Roman took over with Progreso leading 4-2.
The Red Ants had the bats going against Port Isabel’s Tyler Francis early, but the senior hurler shut down Progreso’s offense when it mattered most. Francis struck out five of nine batters in the final three innings and finished the night with 11 punchouts.
“I told them not to be ashamed, to hold their heads up because they showed they can play,” Progreso head coach Isaac Hernandez said. “They tried their best, that’s all I can ask. They’ve been a great bunch and we have a lot of kids coming back, we’ll be alright.”
Francis’ loudest strike of the night, however, came off his bat. After a RBI double from senior Josiah Garza tied the game, Progreso intentionally walked two Tarpons to load the bases for Francis with one out. On a two-two count, he smacked a fly ball to right field, allowing Garza to tag up from third and score the winning run.
“I was just thinking to myself, ‘wait for my pitch, anything but in the infield,’” Francis said. “It’s amazing. I didn’t want to end my baseball career tonight. I couldn’t have done this without my brothers… I can’t wait for practice tomorrow.”
Port Isabel will now face Robstown in the bi-district round of the playoffs later this week.
