By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s time in this weekend’s Border Olympics saw the Queens pick up three wins in their six games at the tournament.
The three-day tournament began for Del Rio Thursday as they took on Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial.
Del Rio trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the first before Hope Martinez ripped a double to centerfield and brought home Ithalia Ozuna, who had reached base on an error.
The Queens tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third after Syann Casillas, who singled to centerfield earlier in Del Rio’s at-bat, scored on an error.
Corpus Christi would reclaim the lead for good in the top of the fourth inning, scoring five runs to win the game, 7-2.
The Queens managed three hits in the loss but were hampered by five errors.
Casillas, Martinez and Rebekah Alcaraz each had a hit for Del Rio.
Del Rio 9, Laredo Martin 0
In a rematch from the SAISD Tournament, Del Rio defeated Laredo Martin in their second tournament game Thursday, 9-0.
Unfortunately, stats from the game were unavailable.
Del Rio 5, Edinburg 4
The Queens’ third game of the tournament, and first game Friday, was a back-and-forth affair against Edinburg that came down to the final at-bat.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Queens started their final stand with a Desiree Gomez single. Ozuna then followed with a walk, and Casillas singled to load the bases with no outs.
Jada Bishop was next up and after working the count full she too earned a walk and brought in Gomez to tie the game at 4-4.
That brought Martinez to the plate. Del Rio’s early season MVP, the sophomore lofted a fly ball to right field. The sacrifice fly was deep enough to bring home Ozuna with the game winning run as Del Rio pulled out the 5-4 victory.
Del Rio had eight hits in the win. Martinez and Naylea Santana each had two hits and each drove in a run. Santana had a triple also. Casillas, Bishop, Alcaraz and Gomez each had a hit as well. Bishop also had a pair of walks, drove in a run and scored a run. Alcaraz also had a run scored and an RBI.
Ozuna earned the win after pitching the final two innings of the game. She allowed one run on two hits and a walk.
Del Rio 15, Laredo Cigarroa 4
The Queens’ second game Friday was an offensive explosion against Cigarroa. Del Rio pounded out 13 hits and scored 15 runs in a 15-4 win.
Del Rio scored nine runs in the first inning and six runs in the second inning as the game came to an end in the third inning.
All but two Queens who entered the game had at least one hit, and four of them had two hits each.
Bishop had two hits, including a triple, and had three RBIs and scored a run. Ozuna had two hits, drove in three runs and scored three runs. Casillas had two hits, drove in two and scored three runs. Martinez had two hits, drove in two RBIs and scored a run. Kayla Mendoza, Celeste Colunga, Alcaraz, Santana and Miamor Salazar each had one hit. Salazar had a pair of RBIs and scored two runs as she also had one walk.
Bishop earned the win from the pitcher’s circle, going two innings and allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. She also struck out one.
San Benito 19, Del Rio 3
Saturday’s games for Del Rio began with a tough 19-3 loss against San Benito.
San Benito scored five runs in the first inning, two runs in the second and 12 runs in the third.
All three of Del Rio’s runs came in the bottom of the second inning.
After the Queens loaded the bases on a catcher’s interference call during Martinez’s at-bat and Mendoza and Alcaraz each getting hit by pitches, Santana earned a walk to bring in the Queens’ first run.
One batter later, Gomez singled to centerfield and brought in Mendoza for Del Rio’s second run. Alcaraz would steal home for Del Rio’s third run. Gomez’s hit was the only for Del Rio in the game.
Bishop 12, Del Rio 0
Del Rio’s final game of the Border Olympics saw the Queens get shut out against Bishop.
Bishop scored one run in each of the first three runs before scoring nine runs in the fourth.
Offensively, Del Rio managed just two hits. Bishop and Martinez had the Queens’ hits. As a team, Del Rio’s batters were struck out nine times.
Del Rio is set to face Uvalde Tuesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Queens Softball Field. They’ll take part in the Carrizo Springs Tournament after that before opening district play Tuesday, March 8 in Laredo against LBJ.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
