By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Wednesday, July 15, the Laguna Madre Men’s Softball League featured another night of spirited competition as the cheers and friendly jeers echoed throughout the park. After the first week of action, Cantu’s and Hopper Haus led the league standings, each carrying an unbeaten record. But by the end of the night of Week 2 games, only one team stood undefeated, Cantu’s.
Cantu’s got off to a good start against their first opponent, Swingers, as leadoff hitter Fabian Morales scored on an indoor homerun in the bottom of the first inning.
In the second inning, the Swingers managed to tie the game up at 1-1. Unfortunately for them, Cantu’s bats started to get heated, as Frankie Silva’s double brought in a run as they retook the lead. But they didn’t stop there as more solid hitting led to a 5-1 lead by Cantu’s.
In the third inning, the Swingers added another run, but Cantu’s offensive onslaught continued as they extended their led to 8-2.
In the fourth inning, Swingers’ Peter Garcia had a solid hit into the outfield for a triple and RBI. The Swingers added another run to make it an 8-4 game. Meanwhile, Cantu’s continued to flex their muscles as they hit six singles, three doubles, and a homerun by Chalio Rosales to close out the inning. Cantu’s now led 15-4.
The game ended in the sixth inning with (4-0) Cantu’s taking the “W”, 17-4, keeping their undefeated streak alive.
Meanwhile, there was a shakeup in the team standing as (3-1) Coming in Hot, true to their name won both of their games including a big win over (3-1) Hopper Haus. The (3-1) Bandidos had a solid night as well they won both their games setting up a 3-way tie at second place. (2-2) Swingers hold sole possession of fifth place, followed by (1-3) Texas Made in sixth. At the bottom of the standings, (0-4) Brew Crew and (0-4) Ballahollics remain winless as they continue to chase their first victories of the season.
While enjoying his time on the softball field, Port Isabel Mayor Martin Cantu Jr. also envisions the newly remodeled sports park becoming a destination for future tournaments and events.
“It feels good to be back on the field and see so many teams from all over,” said Cantu Jr. “Tuffy has done a great job bringing tournaments to the park and starting leagues for our citizens.”
Looking ahead, Cantu Jr. believes the park has the potential to attract visitors from across South Texas that could help boost the local economy.
“We need to continue promoting the park in other areas so people from throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and even from Corpus Christi and San Antonio, will want to come down and compete here,” he stated.
Weekly games will be played every Wednesday in July, starting at 7 p.m.