(Port Isabel’s Aiden Mock at the plate during PI vs La Feria game. March 6, 2026. Picture by Constancio Martinez Jr)
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday night the Port Isabel Tarpons hosted the La Feria Lions in the district’s opener.
The night opened with near-perfect weather thanks to a cool Gulf breeze. Like the weather the bats stayed chilly, as the Lions held a 1-0 lead through the first two innings of play.
As the top of the third inning got underway, the Lions’ bats started to heat up as La Feria jumped out to a 6-0 lead, prompting PI coach Albert Barbarena III to relieve starting pitcher Joseph “Jojo” Martinez. The Lions didn’t let up against relief pitcher Mason Vasquez either. Shortstop, Edward Garza eventually fielded the final out, but not before the Lions offensive surge made it a 12-0 game.
PI pitcher Vasquez got off to a better start in the top of the fourth by striking out the first three batters, all he needed was PI’s offense to step it up.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Tarpons took advantage of a fatigued Lions pitcher, as the first two batters got on base on a walk and a hit by pitch (HBP). Garza then had a solid hit between first and second base, bringing in baserunner Oro Rodriguez, preventing the shutout.
Martinez at third base, then stole home after a flyout by Larry Lohr, and the Tarpons now trailed 12-2. The Lions finally closed out the inning, but not before a blooper by Grayson Estes brought in another run to make it a 12-3 game.
PI brought in pitcher Miles Moore to start the top of the fifth, but the Lions’ bats started to get heated again as they jumped out to a 15-3 lead. PI made the switch back to pitcher Vasquez, who recorded the final two outs, but not before La Feria extended their lead to 18-3.
La Feria started a new pitcher in the bottom of the fifth, but then he got replaced after a pair of HBPs and some nifty steals by PI made it a 18-5 game. Things started to get interesting as PI’s Canelo Alvarez was safe at first base after hitting a high blooper that fell in between the catcher and pitcher. Lohr stole home during the confusion to make it 18-7.
La Feria ultimately closed the inning out with a strikeout, and won the game on a 10-run rule.
With the momentum on Port Isabel’s side, the game felt that if the game went into the later innings, PI could’ve made the comeback. Reflecting on the game, coach Barbarena said it was, “tough loss, we had one bad inning that gave up too many runs. We just have to be consistent throughout every inning.”
The team will be back in action this Friday, March 13 when they host the Hidalgo Pirates at 7 p.m.