Weslaco East powers through Brownsville Rivera

Bryan Ramos

WESLACO — Four District 32-5A teams began the week in contention for a district title, but Weslaco East helped whittle that number down to three after defeating fellow contender Brownsville Rivera, 11-4, on Tuesday at Weslaco East High School.

Both Weslaco East (17-5, 15-2) and Brownsville Rivera (18-6, 13-4) have already punched their tickets to the postseason, but the Wildcats are now in position to win at least a share of the 32-5A championship with one game remaining. East enters Friday’s regular season finale tied for first-place with Brownsville Lopez (18-4, 15-2).

“I hope we come ready to play, that’s all that’s going to matter. We just got to make plays, throw strikes and hit the ball,” Weslaco East head coach Michael Brown said.

The Wildcats had a strong day at the plate against Rivera as 13 hits and seven walks led to 11 runs. Sophomore first baseman Jayden Del Villar set the tone early with a three-run blast to left field in the bottom of the first for a 3-0 lead.

Weslaco East’s Jayden Del Villar hits a home run during a District 32-5A game against Brownsville Rivera on Tuesday at Weslaco East High School. Photo by Andrew Cordero – Special to RGVSports.com.

Weslaco East ran into trouble during the third inning after five walks, one hit and one error led to four Rivera runs to tie things at 4-4, but the Wildcats went on to score seven unanswered runs to secure the win.

Del Villar went 3-for-4 with four RBI and one run to lead the Wildcats.

“The kid’s been big all year. He struggled last year as a freshman, but this year, the young man has come through and played well,” Brown said.

Third baseman James Abrego finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Brian Perez, Eduardo Hernandez and Tyler Gonzalez finished with one RBI each.

Weslaco East’s Jayden Del Villar celebrates a home run during a District 32-5A game against Brownsville Rivera on Tuesday at Weslaco East High School. Photo by Andrew Cordero – Special to RGVSports.com.

Abrego was also dominant in relief against the Raiders. He entered in the fourth and pitched four innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts and one walk. Starting pitcher Tony Solis struck out eight over the first three innings.

“Our pitcher came in and did a great job. He kept them contained, threw strikes and we came out and hit the ball,” Brown said.

Rivera’s Andres Rocha, Raul Reyes and Jonathan Solis all had one RBI apiece on bases loaded walks, while Enrique Rey drove in another run with an RBI-single through the middle.

Brownsville Rivera shortstop Gilbert Moreno makes a throw to first during a District 32-5A game against Weslaco East on Tuesday at Weslaco East High School. Photo by Andrew Cordero – Special to RGVSports.com.

Game 2 between the Wildcats and Raiders is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Brownsville Rivera High School.

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