Palmview blanks Roma, clinches share of district title

LA JOYA 一 District titles have become the standard at La Joya Palmview over the past couple of years. Since 2021, the Lobos have posted a 43-5 district record, winning three straight district titles from 2022-2024 and finishing second in the standings in 2021. 

Add another to the list this season, with the Lobos securing at least a share of the district title for a fourth straight year following a 2-0 win over the Roma Gladiators on Tuesday at La Joya Palmview’s baseball field.

“Our team has worked hard for this,” Garcia said. “We talked about it at the start of the season. We told them they could make history and become the first team in La Joya ISD baseball history to win four straight district titles. Nobody else in La Joya has done it. We’ve got a share now, but we want to go out and see if we can take it for ourselves.”

Hits were hard to come by Tuesday, with the two teams combining for just three during the contest. The Lobos made most of their limited opportunities, with Mateo Garcia’s single bringing in Osi Lopez during the first to make it 1-0. The hit was just one of two on the night by the Lobos.

The Lobos got on the board once again during the bottom of the fourth, with Joseph Martinez bringing in JJ Chavez on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Martinez finished 1-of-2 at the plate with one RBI.

La Joya Palmview’s Adrian Garza (2) swings at a pitch during a District 30-5A game against Roma on Tuesday at La Joya Palmview. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“We were lucky enough to play well enough against a good team and get those two runs early in the game,” Garcia said. “These guys (Roma) can come up from behind at any time. I’ve seen that before from them. They can hit the ball. Luckily we were able to shut them down with our pitcher because our hitting was not that good today.”

Martinez’s impact didn’t end at the plate, also delivering with a dominant performance on the mound for the Lobos. One of his biggest plays came during the top of the fifth, with the Gladiators getting a runner on third following a pair of Palmview errors.

The junior pitcher bailed his team out, however, recording a strikeout to end the inning and keep the Gladiators off the board.

Palmview’s hurler and the Lobos’ defense came up big once again during the top of the seventh, with Martinez striking out Roma’s first batter, while the defense came up with a pair of throw outs to end the contest.

Martinez finished with 11 strikeouts and just one hit in seven innings pitched, improving to 5-0 on the year.

La Joya Palmview’s Joseph Martinez throws a pitch during a District 30-5A game against Roma on Tuesday at La Joya Palmview. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“It was a good game,” Martinez said. “I want to thank my defense. We didn’t have a good game at bat, but we’ll be okay next game. I feel like I was able to pitch to the best of my ability tonight. I feel like I could always be better, but a win is a win. I’ll take it.”

The win improves the Lobos to 16-6 overall and 13-0 in district play, while also extending their current win streak to six. Meanwhile, the Gladiators fall to 14-10-1 overall and 8-5 in district. They sit in fourth in the standings.

The Gladiators and Lobos face off again at 7 p.m. Friday at Roma’s baseball field. A win by Palmview or a loss by Mission Veterans on Friday secures the Lobos the outright district title.

“We have to continue playing everybody like a playoff team,” Garcia said. “Once we get into those playoffs we’ll see what happens. Its one and done there.”

“We’ve go to keep on driving,” Martinez added. “We’re not going to let off the gas.”

[email protected]

The post Palmview blanks Roma, clinches share of district title appeared first on MyRGV.com.