JV Lions split wins to open district play

While many of their classmates enjoyed a week off, the JV Lions opened district play with games against the Manor Mustangs and the San Marcos Rattlers last week.

In the first district game, the Lions traveled to Manor to face, and ultimately crush, the Mustangs.

In the first inning of the game the Lions sent 21 batters to the plate and scored 15 runs to set th

e tone for the game. Anthony Laney and Jacob Alvarez tore into the Mustang pitching picking up four hits and three runs each. Abel Gonzales, John Michael Mendez, John Madrigal, Damian Natal and J.D. Pardo each contributed two hits of their own in the one-sided, four-inning victory over Manor, with the final score tipping the scales at 18-1.

On Friday, the Lions returned home to face the San Marcos Rattlers. After jumping out to a 5-2 lead in the second, the Lions faltered and finally fell 18-5.

The Lions fell behind after the top half of the first inning 1-0, but were able to tie the score in the bottom of the inning with a two-out home run off the bat of John Madrigal.

After giving up another run to the Rattlers in the top of the second, the Lions came back to tally up four runs in their half of the inning. Laney singled to start the rally. After a walk and a stolen base by Mendez, Jacob Alvarez laid down a perfect bunt down the third-base line, scoring Laney and Mendez. Landon Pederson and Madrigal followed with hits, taking Lockhart out in front 5-2 after the end of two innings.

The Lions pitching faltered over the next three innings and the bats fell silent. San Marcos took advantage, scoring 16 runs over the next three innings, making the final score 18-5.

The Lions record in district stands at 1-1 and their season record is 6-6.

The Lions traveled to Del Valle on Monday and will host the Elgin Wildcats on Friday, March 26, beginning at 7 p.m.

Check next week’s Post-Register for scores and highlights of JV Lion Baseball.
(Courtesy of James Patton)