Larissa Jacquez, Eagle Pass take control of District 30-6A with 7-3 win over Laredo LBJ (photos)
LAREDO, Texas - Eagle Pass knew what was at stake Tuesday night against Laredo LBJ: the district title.
The Lady Eagles, who came into the game 6-0 in District 30-6A, beat Laredo LBJ 7-3 to take a two-game lead over the second-place Lady Wolves heading into the second round of district play.
Last year Eagle Pass split their games with Laredo LBJ and shared the District 30-6A title.
“We knew that they (Laredo LBJ) were going to bring their 'A' game and we knew the competition was going to be tough, but the girls stayed focused and were able to handle pressure and that is what we did,” Eagle Pass head coach Oscar Ruiz said. “We can breathe a little with the two-game cushion. I told the girls the district championship is on the line, and it is a matter of executing and that is exactly what they did.”
Eagle Pass (7-0) is attempting to pick up its 15th district title in 16 years under Ruiz, who has cultivated one of the premier softball programs in South Texas. With Larissa Jacquez in the circle, Eagle Pass is tough to beat. Jacquez has been stellar all season long and Tuesday night she put on another great performance, finishing with 12 strikeouts.
Alyzza Campos gave up 10 hits, six runs and struck out six batters for the Lady Wolves.
Laredo LBJ (5-2) utilized back-to-back hits by sophomore Marianna Gamboa and Vivica Garcia to take an early lead. After Gamboa ripped a one-out single, she stole second base to get into scoring position. Garcia then lined a single to centerfield to score Gamboa and give the Lady Wolves a 1-0 lead
Eagle Pass came right back to tie the game on an RBI double by Valeria Vielma, scoring Andrea Guerra from second base. Guerra came on as a courtesy runner for Jacquez, who led off the inning with a single.
Gamboa almost recorded an inside the park home run to give the lead back to Laredo LBJ, but she was thrown out on a terrific relay to home plate.
Eagle Pass broke the game open in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring six runs to take a 7-2 lead.
Alessandra Thatcher roped an RBI triple to plate Laredo LBJ's final run in the fifth inning.
Laredo LBJ mounted a rally in the seventh inning, but Dunn picked off Landero at third base and Jacquez struck out Loyola to end the game.
PHOTO GALLERY
