ADVERTISEMENT 2
ADVERTISEMENT 3
Error: No articles to display
ADVERTISEMENT 1
ADVERTISEMENT 4
A.D. Ibarra
-San Antonio
Your Eagle Pass Eagles are primed and ready for their 2013 Region IV Final which will be taking place tomorrow against the SA O'Connor Panthers at 7:30 P.M. at the NEISD Blossom ISD Athletic Baseball Complex. The Eagle Pass News Gram caught up to Eagle Skipper Reynol Mendoza who informed us that the Eagles in fact saw their opponents play New Braunfels in an early season Comal ISD Tournament. "We also got to see them on Saturday," added the manager of an agle squad who are on the brink of making Eagle Pass High School Baseball history as being only the fifth team to make it to the hallowed grounds of the UIL State Tournament, "They're a good hitting ball club, their pitcher was throwing in the mid-80's with a good curve and change-up, but if we keep hitting the ball the way we have been in the last two series, things will take care of themselves."
A.D. Ibarra
-Eagle Pass
The time has come as your Eagle Pass Eagles are primed and ready to take on the Johnson Jaguars in the 2013 Region IV Semi Finals right here in the comfort of our very own EPISD Baseball Complex.
Both teams can be said to be killers of Giants as the Eagles knocked off perennial powerhouse, number two in the state and the number three team in the nation, UT-bound Eagle Pass connection Tres Barrera the Mission Sharyland Rattlers who came into the one game, winner-take-all series at a crisp 31-1 and the Jaguars knocked off the number one team in San Antonio, the Winston Churchill Chargers in two straight.
The scene is set as Reynol Mendoza and Gordon Gesell prepare their charges for battle tomorrow night in what is sure to be a great series.
"Our kids are excited and they've been practicing well," stated Mendoza, "We're looking forward to a good game and our team has stepped it up time and time again, especially in the playoffs."
When asked about common opponents, we know that the CC Winn Mavericks played Johnson 7-6 this year and the Jaguars also played O'Connor who United is playing this week.
"They're fundamentally sound, they have speed and they can hit," stated Gene Flores, Manager of the CC Winn Mavericks, "We saw four of their pitchers who have good control of their fastball, they throw a lot of curve balls and changes, but they like to steal and put pressure on the defense and to try to make things happen. I think it will be a good matchup."
"The closest team I can compare Johnson to is United," added Mendoza, "They hit and run, they bunt the ball and have good hitting and pitching."
The coach stated that United will be facing a pitcher who throws in the 90-95 MPH range in their series.
Both teams have faced and done well against formidable pitching as well so something's got to give and if we play our cards right, this team may be the next to accomplish what the 1970, 1974, 1988 and 1996 Eagle Pass Eagles all did, which was advance to the state tournament in Austin.
Whatever the case may be, the Eagles are in the Final Four of Region IV and are going to count on a legion of Eagle Pass fans from all over Maverick County to support them in their bid to continue advancing in the state tournament so wear your Burnt Orange and White proudly, be there, be early, but by all means BE LOUD!!!
By Rey Sifuentes Jr.
Eagle Pass High School’s varsity softball team had several players recently picked for the All-District 29-5A team.
Sandra Mendoza (junior, pitcher) was voted as the district’s Most Valuable Player.
Named to the first all-district team were Krystal De La Cruz (sophomore, pitcher), Samantha Fuentes (junior, first baseman), Jessica Garcia (senior, second baseman), Monica Flores (junior, outfielder), and Dariela Velasquez (sophomore, designated player).
Making the second all-district team were Keanna Pearson (senior, third baseman), and Krystal Perez (junior, outfielder).
Receiving Honorable Mention were Samantha De Leon (senior), Nina Flores (freshman), and Melanie Mendoza (freshman).
“All of these girls did a great job for us this season,” Head Coach Oscar Ruiz said on Tuesday.
The Lady Eagles compiled an overall record of 28 and 7 this past season, and won their fourth consecutive District 29-5A title with an 11-1 league record.
EPHS swept Edinburg-Vela in the bi-district round of the playoffs in two games, then ousted Brownsville Porter in two straight in the area round.
The Lady Eagles were then thrown a huge curve in what was supposed to be a best of three games Region IV playoff series against San Benito.
Both teams met in Laredo for game one on Friday (May 10) but that encounter was halted - with San Benito leading 2-0 - because of heavy rain.
The game’s chief umpire declared the score final later that night, while Ruiz disputed the decision.
Both teams were ordered to return to Laredo for game two the following day, but were told (upon arrival) that their three-game series had been reduced to one - requiring them to finish out the remaining one and a third inning left over from Friday’s contest. San Benito held on to win 2-0 and advanced.
EPISD brass filed an injunction again the University Interscholastic League midway through last week, but the complaint was dismissed by a court in Austin (Travis County) on Friday – and the Lady Eagles’ season officially ended there.
Nonetheless, the Lady Eagles are losing less than a handful of this past season’s roster – meaning they will again be a force to contend with in 2014.
“All of the experience that we should have coming back next year will be invaluable,” Ruiz said on Tuesday. “We have a great group of girls who are going to be ready to go next season.”
And with the annual all-district selection meeting usually being held at the campus of the 29-5A champ, Ruiz is more than happy to continue welcoming his conference opponents into town.
“We have hosted that meeting here in Eagle Pass for the past four years,” Ruiz said. “And I am looking forward to continue hosting it for the next few years.”
(Rey Sifuentes Jr. is the sports editor of the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune which is located in East Texas. He is also a 1992 graduate of Eagle Pass High School. Sifuentes can be reached on Facebook and at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also follow him through Twitter at @eaglesmavericks.)