By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO, TX—The Bobcat Varsity Baseball players are still playing their pre-district schedule, and with a loss Tuesday against Valley View, they evened their record to 9-9.
They are part of District 32-3A and are grouped with Raymondville, Lyford, Santa Rosa, and Progreso. So far, Raymondville is the only team with a better season record at 10-5.
District play starts Friday, and Rio Hondo Head Coach Sergio Gonzalez is eager to see what his team can accomplish. He will continue to challenge his Bobcats that bring both experience and youth.
“Our baseball season has gone very smoothly this year with our senior leadership raising our program,” the coach said.
RHHS opens its district schedule against the Lyford Bulldogs, who are 5-9-1 this season.
The Bobcats have been shut out only once. In their victories, they score at least seven runs, so they frequently round the bases. In losses, the Bobcats are defeated by narrow margins and only occasionally by a large margin.
RHHS started this season with a three-game losing streak, but the team has since bounced back.
Among the players on the varsity team are seniors Marcus Flores, Noah Villalobos, Jeremy Mata, Jared Limon, Juan Padilla, Christopher Galvan, and Adrian Betancourt; junior Nathan Martinez; sophomores Sebastian Gonzalez, Allen Perea, Maverick Gonzales, and Jordan Izaguirre; and freshmen Ty Alaniz, Alex Villarreal, Carlos Martinez, Manny Melendez, Roy Zepeda, Robert Adame, and Joaquin Gonzales.
SOFTBALL
The Rio Hondo Lady ’Cats evened their District 32-3A record after last week’s decisive 21-2 win over the Santa Rosa Lady Warriors.
They scored eight runs in the first inning, seven in the second, and six in the third inning, run-ruling their opponent.
The team achieved 12 hits.
Rio Hondo is tied at one and holds third place behind leader Lyford (2-0) and Raymondville (1-0).
Progreso (0-1) and Santa Rosa (0-2) are seated behind the Lady ’Cats.
Overall, the Lady ’Cats are 9-12-1.
They competed in the fifth annual PSJA Tournament where they went 1-3-1.
RHHS beat Sharyland and tied Edinburg.
Key players included pitchers Madison Lopez, Jacquelynn Hinojosa, and Evelyn Cortez. Among those who delivered strong offenses were Dani Rocha, Rebekah Zuniga, Nevaeh Castaneda, Lopez, and Hinojosa.
RHHS will host Raymondville next Tuesday.