Photo Gallery: Rattlers hold off Tigers in a tight playoff battle

Rio Grande City’s Caylani Cantu is safe at home and leaps up to celebrate after scoring against Mercedes during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. Rio 4-3. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Nina Zurita and Caylani Cantu celebrate after scoring against Mercedes during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Caylani Cantu , right, slides safe at home as Mercedes Ashley De Leon, left, is late on the tag during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Jenelle Gonzalez stretches to snag a line drive against Mercedes during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Jorja Fuentes, right, is out at second as Mercedes’ Mercedes Aleeyah Sierra turns a double play with a throw to first during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Mercedes Aleeyah Sierra reaches for a ball as Rio Grande City’s Caylani Cantu gets to first safely during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Devanni Martinez stays focused on the play against Mercedes during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Julexie Garcia misses the tag as her visor slips over her face, allowing MercedesÕ Kayla Garza to reach first safely during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Mercedes’ Kayla Garza with a strike against Rio Grande City during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Dayana Lazos celebrates with teammates after defeating Mercedes 4-3 during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)

Rio Grande City’s Jorja Fuentes releases a pitch against MercedesÕ during a Class 5A Dll area playoff game at Sharyland softball field Friday, May 02, 2025 in Sharyland. (Delcia Lopez | dlopez@themonitor.com)