Rowe grinds out win over East to take series lead

Bryan Ramos

McALLEN — Game 1 of the Region IV-5A DI bi-district playoff series between McAllen Rowe and Weslaco East featured two of the Rio Grande Valley’s top three leaders in strikeouts this season.

Both Rowe’s Javier Garcia and Weslaco East’s Tony Solis were dominant for their respective teams, but a couple of early errors proved costly as the Warriors held off the Wildcats for a 2-0 win Thursday at McAllen Rowe High School.

Garcia entered the evening with 94 strikeouts and Solis with 91 Ks. Garcia fanned 13 batters on Thursday to increase his season total to 107, while Solis struck out seven to up his total to 98.

McAllen Rowe’s Javier Garcia releases a pitch against Weslaco East during a Class 5A Dl bi-district playoff game at McAllen Rowe baseball field Thursday, May 01, 2025 in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])

“It was a hard fought game. Both guys had great days on the bump,” Rowe head coach Michael Segovia said. “Solis threw a gem and our guy threw a gem, and fortunately for us, the ball bounced our way today. We’re looking forward to tomorrow. By no means is the series over yet.”

Rowe center fielder Matthew Garza drew a lead off walk in the bottom of the first and scooted over to second base after a sacrifice bunt.Third baseman Alex Leon followed with a grounder to second that was mishandled, allowing runners on first and third.

Second baseman JC Garza Jr. then hit a chopper back to the pitcher, but the throw to second ended up in the dirt, and Matthew Garza took advantage of the opportunity and scored from third during the mixup at second base for a 1-0 lead.

McAllen Rowe’s Nick Hartman pumps his fists in celebration after scoring against Weslaco East during a Class 5A Dl bi-district playoff game at McAllen Rowe baseball field Thursday, May 01, 2025 in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])

In the bottom of the second, Rowe catcher Nick Hartman and first baseman Ivan Garza got things started with back-to-back walks and moved into scoring position after a passed ball. Isais Ledezma then hit a hard grounder to second base that allowed Hartman to come across for a 2-0 lead.

Those two runs were all the Warriors needed with Garcia dealing on the mound.

The senior left-hander pitched a complete game shutout while giving up just one hit and four walks with 13 Ks. He’s now 8-1 as a starter this year.

McAllen Rowe’s Ashton Guerrero leaps to celebrate with teammates after a two-run score against Weslaco East during a Class 5A Dl bi-district playoff game at McAllen Rowe baseball field Thursday, May 01, 2025 in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])

“The key to this win was just grinding out every single at-bat, grinding out every single pitch. I’m proud of my team,” Garcia said. “We just pushed through and it doesn’t matter if someone has a bad outcome, we pick each other up, and that’s what got us through going against another top notch pitcher in the Valley.”

East’s Solis allowed two runs off one hit and four walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings.

Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Weslaco East High School. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday at McAllen Rowe. 

“We have to grind it out,” Segovia said. “We knew coming into this series there were going to be games like this. We just need timely hitting and solid defense.”

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