Bears steal game 1 on the road, take series lead back home

Ivan Palacios | Staff Writer

AUSTIN — PSJA High senior Nyles Alvarez brought in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth as the Bears took down the Austin Westlake Chaparrals 3-1 during Game 1 of a best-of-three Region IV-6A DII semifinal series Thursday at Austin Westlake. 

The victory gives the Bears a 1-0 advantage as the series shifts to C.V. Cain Field in Pharr for Game 2 and possibly Game 3.

The Bears took an early lead over the Chaps on Thursday after senior Jacob Delgadillo hit a solo home run into left field. The home run was the fourth of the year for the Odessa college signee.

Westlake tied the contest during the bottom of the fifth, with senior Holland Page bringing in senior Luke Nogalski for the tying run on a sacrifice fly.

After a defensive stalemate during the sixth and seventh, the Bears and Chaps headed into extra innings to decide the Game 1 winner. Singles by Sebastian Plascencia, Ryan Vallejo and Rylan Middlebrook loaded the bases for the Bears during the top of the eighth.

Alvarez took advantage of the scoring opportunity, hitting the ball to first and bringing in Plascencia for the go-ahead run. Vallejo added an insurance run on a wild pitch by the Chaps, giving the Bears a 3-1 leading heading into the bottom of the eighth.

A strikeout by sophomore Jesse Garza during the bottom of the eighth gave put one out on the board for the Bears. Alvarez replaced Garza after the strikeout, retiring the final two batters to secure the Game 1 victory for PSJA High.

Game 2 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at C.V. Cain Field in Pharr. Game 3 is set to follow 30 minutes after Game 2, if necessary.

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