By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Some untimely errors and a lack of offensive punch led to a tough loss for the Del Rio Rams baseball team Wednesday.
After battling back to tie Laredo United in the fifth inning, the Rams couldn’t stop the Longhorns from scoring in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings to grab a 3-1 win over Del Rio. The loss drops the Rams to 2-3 in district play.
Del Rio won’t have to wait long for a rematch against the Longhorns. The two teams play again Friday night at 6 p.m. at The Bank & Trust Ram Field.
United scored the game’s opening run in the bottom of the third inning, but the Rams tied the game at 1-1 when Mario Soto blasted a solo home run over the left field fence to open the top of the fifth.
United reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth when a two-base error by the Rams led to the Longhorns loading the bases. Ricky Avalos then walked in the go-ahead run on four straight pitches to allow United to reclaim the lead, 2-1.
Del Rio looked to tie the game in the top of the sixth when Ethan Matherne and Aiden Natividad were both able to reach base on errors by the Longhorn defense. However, United was able to settle down and struck out the next two batters after Natividad’s at-bat to end the threat.
Another Rams error allowed United to open the bottom of the sixth with a base runner. A double two batters later plated the runner and pushed the United lead to 3-1.
Del Rio tried one last rally in the seventh after Ricky Martinez drew a walk with two outs, but United closed out the game with a strikeout to preserve the win.
Soto had two of Del Rio’s four hits. Matherne and Martinez had the other hits. Martinez was also able to reach base three times as he drew a pair of walks.
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