Lobos blank Rangers to take Game 1 of regional finals

Ivan Palacios | Staff Writer

BEEVILLE — La Joya Palmview junior Jaime Cordova pitched a four-hit shutout and the offense poured in six runs in the sixth as the Lobos blanked the Smithson Valley Rangers 7-0 during Game 1 of a best-of-three Region IV-5A championship series Friday at Coastal Bend College’s Joe Hunter Field in Beeville. 

The victory gives the Lobos a 1-0 series lead over the Rangers as they look to advance to the Final Four for the first time in program history.

“The series is not over yet,” La Joya Palmview head coach Manuel Garcia said. “Smithson Valley is a pretty good team. We’re not counting ahead yet. We have to make sure we take care of business tomorrow and we’ll be okay.”

Despite being hitless through five innings, the Lobos led the Rangers 1-0 through five thanks to a fielder’s choice ground ball to the short stop by Osi Lopez. Palmview’s Adrian Garza scored the run on the play.

The hits finally came during the top of the sixth, with Palmview pouring on six runs during the inning to take a commanding 7-0 lead into the seventh.

Jaxiel Cantu started the hitting party for the Lobos, bringing in one run on a single to left field. Javier Garza and Mario Cantu added hits for Palmview after Cantu, each bringing two runs to cap the big inning.

“We just started pushing pressure on them,” Garcia said. “We started doing different things on the base path to put that pressure on them. Then we started showing a little bit of bunts here and there. We broke it up knowing our tough hitters were coming up to bat. We were just hoping they would come out and put the ball in play.”

With the lead in tow, Cordova delivered a masterclass on the mound over the final two innings, striking out four of Smithson’s Valley last six batters to secure the Game 1 win.

Cordova finished the game with 10 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched, earning the win on the mound and improving to 2-2 on the season.

“The whole week we talked about starting Jaime,” Garcia said. “I asked them how he was looking in practice, what his demeanor was and what was his attitude. They told me he was ready to go and they hadn’t seen him. That’s what I was told and my gut feeling told me to go with him.”

The Lobos will look to close out the series Saturday, with Game 2 and 3 slated to be played back-to-back, if necessary. Game 2 is set for 2 p.m. at Coastal Bend College in Beeville and Game 3 set for 30 minutes after, if needed.

“I told the guys after the game to stay humble,” Garcia said. “We’re coming back to the hotel to shower, eat dinner and go to bed early because we’re getting up early looking to take care of business tomorrow.”

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