By Brian Argabright
What a difference a week makes.
The Del Rio Rams baseball team won just one of its games at its first tournament of the season last week. This week, Del Rio went 3-1 including a dominant shutout in the Rams’ final game of this week’s San Antonio Southwest tournament.
The Rams are now 5-4 on the season.
Rams 9, Jefferson 3
Del Rio’s run began Thursday against Jefferson.
Jose Borrego had a game to remember, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored as Del Rio won, 9-3.
Borrego ripped a two-run blast in the top of the second to give the Rams a 4-0 lead, and then added a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to push the lead to 6-3.
As a team, the Rams had 11 hits and drove in eight runs while striking out just four times in five innings of play.
Willson Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Sebastian Patiño, Josh Adams, Carlos Arredondo and Ricky Limon also had hits for the Rams. Matt Mendez, Adams and Smith also had an RBI each.
Patiño earned the win, going three innings. He allowed just one hit, but walked four and gave up three earned runs. Mario Soto came on in relief and pitched two innings, striking out one, walking two, but he did not allow any hits or runs during his time on the mound. He earned the save.
Southwest 4, Rams 1
In another Thursday match-up against former district foes, the Rams didn’t fare as well.
Del Rio was held to just two hits in a 4-1 loss to the Southwest Dragons.
Rodriguez and Patiño each had one hit for the Rams.
The Rams’ lone run came in the top of the sixth inning as Arredondo brought in Smith with a sacrifice fly.
Borrego took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits, including a home run, in two and a third innings.
Rams 10, Wagner 2
Del Rio shook off the poor performance Thursday and answered with a 10-2 drubbing of Wagner Friday afternoon.
The Rams were efficient in their attack, scoring 10 runs on eight hits and four walks. They also took advantage of five Wagner errors.
Patiño led the charge, going 2-for-3, including an inside the park home run, and had three RBIs and two runs scored. Mendez was 1-for-3, but had three RBIs. Rodriguez, Will Cooper, Adams and Arredondo and Ryan Madera each had a hit for Del Rio while Arredondo and Madera each drove in a run.
Mendez picked all three of his RBIs in the fifth inning as he cleared the bases with a triple to left field that brought home Madera, Caden George and Limon.
Arredondo picked up the win, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in four innings. He also struck out five batters. Ruben Esquivel pitched a scoreless fifth inning in relief.
Rams 8, Southwest Legacy 0
Del Rio capped its tournament appearance with an 8-0 shutout of Southwest Legacy.
Cooper pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out seven in five innings of work.
At the plate, the Rams needed just six hits to plate eight runs as they were aided by three Legacy errors and seven walks.
Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Patiño was 1-for-4 with two RBIs, Mendez was 1-for-2 with an RBI while Adams and Arredondo had the other Ram hits. Mendez and Patiño each had triples in the win.
The Rams are scheduled to travel to San Antonio to face Cornerstone on Monday at 7 p.m.
