By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
EAGLE PASS — Del Rio’s time in the Babe Ruth World Series is over.
The team finished its four-game series in pool play Saturday evening with a 9-1 loss to the Pacific Northwest Region champs from Kelso, Wash. Del Rio ends its appearance in the Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15-Year-Old World Series 0-4 in pool play.
While the score wasn’t what Del Rio would have liked, Saturday’s loss was probably the best game the team played this week.
After two errors in the first inning led to Kelso scoring its first run of the game, Del Rio committed just one more error the rest of the way. The team also lowered its walks, allowing just three free passes, though Del Rio pitchers did hit four batters.
Kelso was able to put the ball where Del Rio’s defenders weren’t, though, as the team from Washington amassed nine hits, but only one for extra bases.
Del Rio’s hitters weren’t as successful. Eliseo “Cheo” Ortiz was Del Rio’s first base runner, earning his way to first via a walk in the bottom of the second inning.
Trevor Hill was able to get on base in the third inning via walk, and stole second base to give Del Rio a runner in scoring position with just one out. Brandon Ker followed with a bouncing infield single, but a double play snuffed out the scoring chance.
In the fourth, Adan Villarreal walked but got sent back to the bench as part of a 4-6-3 double play. After Julius Flores reached on an error, Del Rio’s at-bat came to an end with a fielder’s choice.
Del Rio’s next base runner was Zane Hughes, who reached first on an infield single in the bottom of the fifth. He promptly stole second base, but when he tried to swipe third, he was thrown out for the final out of the inning.
Del Rio broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Austin Soto doubled to right field with one out. After moving to third on a wild pitch, he’d come home to score off a single to right field by George Avalos Jr., making the final 9-1.
Villarreal was named Del Rio’s Player of the Game by the tournament’s administrators.
Del Rio’s team included George Avalos Jr., Julius Flores, Alex Gonzalez, Trevor Hill, Zane Hughes, Brandon Ker, Leo Olivares, Eliseo “Cheo” Ortiz, Jose Palafox, Mark Peña, J.P. Rios, Austin Soto and Adan Villarreal. The team was managed by Ryan Reyes and coached by Hector Sandoval, Josue Soto and Memo Villarreal.
Pool play will end Sunday. The top three teams in each division advance to a single elimination tournament that begins Monday at the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex.
—
Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
