PSJA holds off Dripping Springs for Game 1 win

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — PSJA High head coach Marco Guajardo knew Game 1 of the Region IV-6A DII final against Dripping Springs could turn into a pitcher’s duel with Bears’ sophomore Jesse Garza starting against Tigers’ senior and Texas commit Cooper Rummel.

It took the Bears less than an inning to chase Rummel out of the game after plating two runs in the first while Garza stayed steady.

No. 7 PSJA (32-3-1) went on to pull off a 6-4 victory over No. 4 Dripping Springs (26-10) on Thursday at Steve Chapman Field at Calallen High School to take a 1-0 series lead in their regional final matchup.

PSJA High teammates celebrate from the dugout during the first inning against Dripping Springs in Game 1 of the Region IV-6A DII final series at the Calallen High School on Thursday, May, 22, 2025, in Corpus Christi. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Game 2 is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start back at Calallen. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at Calallen.

“These kids have a lot of heart,” Guajardo said. “The key was getting to their ace pitcher. He came out early in the game and that was a big knockout for them and that really got our guys going. Our guys were very tough outs and that was the key.”

Timely hitting has been crucial for the Bears during their postseason run to the regional final and they were at it again in Game 1 against the Tigers.

PSJA scored two runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings and were led by a 4-for-4, two-RBI game from catcher Jacob Delgadillo. Second baseman TJ Ayala finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Designated hitter Zeke Garza and shortstop Sebastian Plascencia added one RBI apiece.

PSJA High’s Zeke Garza (5) hits during the fourth inning against Dripping Springs in Game 1 of the Region IV-6A DII final series at the Calallen High School on Thursday, May, 22, 2025, in Corpus Christi. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Three of Delgadillo’s four hits were doubles including his last knock of the evening. He stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth and drilled a ball to deep center field. It took one bounce and went over the wall for a two-run ground rule double to push PSJA’s lead to 6-2 entering the 7th inning.

“We knew we had to get on their pitcher early and that’s what we did. We found ways on, found ways to score and they pulled him early, so that was good for us,” Delgadillo said. “Going up to that at-bat, I was extremely confident because I was in a good position. All I had to do was hit the ball into the outfield and runs would score.”

Jesse Garza, PSJA’s Game 1 starter, went six innings and allowed two earned runs off six hits with three walks and eight strikeouts to pick up the win. First baseman Nyles Alvarez pitched the seventh inning to earn the save.

PSJA High’s Jesse Garza (10) pitches against Dripping Springs in Game 1 of the Region IV-6A DII final series at the Calallen High School on Thursday, May, 22, 2025, in Corpus Christi. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“We played together and we played strong. Our coaches had us prepared,” Garza said. “My mindset was to leave it all on the mound and push through this game.”

The Bears are now one win away from punching their ticket to the Class 6A DII state semifinals. They’ll have two chances to get it done as catcher Jacob Delgadillo takes the mound in Game 2 on Friday.

“We’re not done. We got to rest and be ready for tomorrow,” Guajardo said. “It’s not over yet. We’re halfway there. We can taste it, but they got to stay hungry for that game tomorrow.”

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