PSJA North powers past McAllen Memorial

PHARR — It’s been five years since PSJA North’s baseball program last appeared in the state playoffs.

But with five games left to play in this year’s regular season, the Raiders have put themselves in position to not only lock up a playoff spot, but in the driver’s seat in the District 31-5A title race.

PSJA North helped its cause with an 8-3 win over McAllen Memorial on Tuesday at PSJA North High School.

“This district is so tight and a lot of respect for Memorial and their pitcher. We just got some hits at the right time and sometimes it goes our way, sometimes it doesn’t, but we try to put our kids in the best situation possible and see if they’ll come through,” PSJA North head coach Tony Leal said.

It didn’t take long to figure out PSJA North shortstop Daren Garcia and first baseman Erik Herrera were in for a big day.

The two put the Raiders on the board in the bottom of the first after a walk by Garcia and an RBI-triple to right-center by Herrera for a 1-0 lead.

Memorial, who advanced to last year’s regional final, evened the score during the top of the third after base hits by center fielder RJ Rios and first baseman Eloy Lozano set up an RBI-single by designated hitter Sebastian Soto.

The Raiders answered right back as Garcia hit a solo home run over the left field wall for a 2-1 lead.

But the power didn’t stop there.

PSJA North designated hitter Axel Cantu led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple to left and left fielder Diego Aparicio followed with a double to right to bring him home. After a hit batsman and intentional walk to Garcia loaded the bases, Herrera stepped to the plate and cleared them with a deep drive to the left-center gap.

“One through nine can hit. There’s no hole in our lineup,” Herrera said. “We believe in every single one of these guys. They walked Daren and put their trust in me and I brought them in, but the whole lineup can do that.”

Herrera finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, Garcia went 2-for-2 with one RBI, two walks and four runs scored, and Cantu had a 2-for-3 game with one RBI and one run. Right fielder Heriberto Hernandez and Aparicio finished with one RBI each.

“Emotions were high at the beginning of the game, but we just stayed together as a group,” Garcia said. “That’s what we’ve been working on for the past three years. This team here, we’ve been playing together since we were six-years old. It’s a family and a brotherhood, and we love playing together. We play with a lot of emotion and we’re not scared of anybody.”

Memorial pitcher Hugo Rodriguez added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth and right fielder Mikey Rodriguez brought in another run with an RBI-double to cut North’s lead to 6-3 in the top of the fifth.

Lozano and Castillo led the Mustangs with two hits apiece.

PSJA North’s Mateo Herrera earned the win after pitching six innings with three earned runs off nine hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

PSJA North can clinch a playoff spot by winning one of its next five games. The Raiders can clinch a share of the 31-5A title by winning three of their final five.

“I’m proud of these kids. I know we have a ways to go,” Leal said. “I’m not worried about the district title, I’m worried about the next pitch and next at-bat. I just tell them it’s about overcoming adversity and doing the best they can because this district is tough.”

PSJA North and McAllen Memorial will play Game 2 of their District 31-5A series at 7 p.m. Friday at McAllen Memorial High School.

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