By Brian Argabright
Del Rio softball’s slim playoff chances took a big hit in the team’s first game back in front of the home fans in more than two weeks.
Laredo United’s Eva Garcia smashed a two-run home run over the left field wall to seal a 9-6 win over the Queens Friday evening to sweep the season series from Del Rio.
The Queens drop to 3-5 in district play with four games left to play. The win also allowed United to open up a more sizeable lead over Del Rio for the final playoff spot as the Lady Longhorns are now 6-3 and in control of the fourth playoff spot behind co-district leaders Eagle Pass and Laredo LBJ and third place Laredo Alexander.
Del Rio was down 3-0 before they picked up their first run in the bottom of the second. Kayla Mendoza singled and then scored on a double to left field by Rebekah Alcaraz.
The Queens would take the lead in the bottom of the third inning.
An error by United’s third baseman allowed Ari Alcaraz to reach base to lead off. Desi Rodriguez then followed with a hard line drive to centerfield. The ball skipped under the centerfielder’s glove and the Queens were off to the races. Alcaraz scored, and Rodriguez turned on the jets, beating the throw home and tying the game with a headfirst slide.
After the Queens’ first out, the team went back to work. Giselle Valdez doubled off the centerfield wall and then stole third base. She would score on a single by Alexis Salinas to put Del Rio up, 4-3.
The lead lasted until the fifth inning when United scored three runs on four hits, including a two-run double by Aly Davila, to reclaim the lead, 6-4.
Del Rio got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth as Hope Martinez singled and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jada Bishop.
After scoring again in the top of the sixth, Garcia capped United’s scoring with her two-run blast that gave United a 9-5 lead headed into the Queens’ final at-bat.
The Queens managed one more run in the seventh as Rodriguez reached on an infield single, stole second base and scored on a double by Valdez.
After the game, Del Rio’s four seniors were honored. Rodriguez, Ari Alcaraz, Salinas and Valdez were each presented with framed mementos and other gifts by the Queens Softball Booster Club.
The Queens travel to Laredo Saturday to face Nixon at 1 p.m. Del Rio’s next home game will be Tuesday, April 13, when they host Alexander at 5 p.m. at the Queens Softball Field.
