By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
On a night when neither team could generate much at the plate, it was one mistake that opened the door for the Del Rio Rams.
A throwing error allowed Aiden Natividad to go from first to third before Harrison Taylor delivered the game-winning run with a single to left field to lift the Rams past the Laredo United South Panthers Friday, 3-2, in front of the home fans at The Bank & Trust Ram Field.
The win moves the Rams to 2-2 in district play.
Prior to the seventh inning, the Rams had generated just two runs on six hits. They left six runners in scoring position and squandered a bases loaded opportunity in the second inning.
But Wade Cooper’s arm helped keep Del Rio within striking distance.
Cooper, who moved to the pitcher’s mound from his usual catcher’s position last season, nearly tossed a complete game, leaving the game with two outs in the top of the seventh inning due to reaching his allotted pitch count. He held United South to two runs on four hits while striking out a career high 14 batters.
He was stronger in the later innings, striking out five straight batters from the fifth to the seventh inning. He struck out seven of the eight batters he faced in that stretch.
Juan Garza, who came onto relieve Cooper, got the only batter he faced to ground out. He was credited with the win.
Del Rio struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Tyler George reached on an infield single, stole second base and scored on an error off the bat of Natividad.
South tied the game in the top of the second inning, and then took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning.
Del Rio tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Garza led off with a walk. After a single by Ricky Martinez, Albert Vargas laid down a bunt to advance runners to second and third. Ethan Matherne then delivered a single to centerfield to bring in Garza and knot things up at 2-2.
After its second run, South managed just two base runners from the fifth inning on, setting the stage for Del Rio’s last inning dramatics.
Natividad led off with a single to left field. South tried to pick him off first base, but the ball skipped past the first baseman and deep into foul territory. Natividad raced to second, paused, and then sprinted to third base as the crowd roared with each step.
Taylor, who had been hitless up to that point, then drove the second pitch he said into left field to bring in Natividad and kick off the celebration.
Mario Soto had a pair of hits for Del Rio while Vargas also had a hit.
Del Rio will head to Laredo Tuesday to face United at 7 p.m. at Krueger Field. The Rams’ next home game will be Friday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at The Bank & Trust Ram Field.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
