Jerseys round up Tarpons for 2-0 series sweep

By TODD MAVRELES

The Brownsville Herald

cc Saturday afternoon at PSJA North High School, Falfurrias shook the rest of the rust off from their two-week layoff to defeat Port Isabel 15-6 in Game 2 of their best-of-3 UIL Class 3A bi-district playoff series to win the series 2-0 and advance to next week’s area round.

cc The Jerseys (23-4) received 11 walks from Port Isabel pitchers, had two hit batsmen and benefited from three Tarpon errors. Despite those gifts, scrappy Port Isabel was within 5-4 after five innings.

cc Then Falfurrias broke the game open. The Jerseys sent 10 batters to the plate in the top of the sixth, scoring seven runs.

cc The big blow in the frame was a bases-loaded double by No. 9 hitter Joey Gonzales that cleared the bases to give Falfurrias an 8-4 lead. Designated hitter B.J. Alegria provided the finishing touches for the Jerseys with a two-run double off of Matt Sandoval, who was pitching in relief of Oscar Ochoa (6-3).

cc ``That two-week layoff really hurt us; we looked a bit rusty in a lot of places,’’ Falfurrias coach David Salinas said. ``It’s hard to motivate kids for two weeks, but they came through when they had to.’’

cc The Tarpons (15-9) could have stolen Game 1 Friday night with a key hit here or there, but instead lost 5-1. And they were not about to give up on Game 2. Roel Martinez, who had an RBI double in the fourth, belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to bring Port Isabel within 10-6.

cc But from there, Falfurrias starter Humberto Cruz (9-2) was able to finish off the Tarpons and bring a close to a very successful season for PI, the second-place finisher in District 32-3A with an 11-3 district record. Keep in mind that this was the Tarpons’ first postseason appearance since 1994, while the Jerseys are perennial state title contenders.

cc ``We played a little bit better (Saturday),’’ Port Isabel coach Robert Holland said. ``They’re just a good team that puts the pressure on you and is well-disciplined. We have to keep working, and every year we’ll get better and be like them. I’m proud of my kids. They battled all the way through.’’

cc While Falfurrias moves on to the area round, where the Jerseys will face the winner of the Sinton-Pearsall series, the Tarpons look ahead to next season. They lose four starters in first baseman Albert Barbarena, Sandoval at shortstop, left fielder Gualberto Gonzalez and catcher Juan Sanchez. Sophomore ace Freddy Garza (9-3) returns, as does Martinez in center field and gritty second baseman Andrew LeBlanc. The postseason party should be one the Tarpons will attend for many years to come.

cc ``The people saw we showed some flashes of brilliance,’’ Holland said. ``The experience factor had something to do with (losing the series), but we’ll be OK. We started four seniors in the Brownsville Summer League last year, and we’ll get started right away. That’s how you start a slow process, but it’ll get done.’’

cc ``They’re a scrappy bunch and they get after you,’’ added Salinas. ``They’re a young team with a very bright future. They represented the Valley well. I’m happy to get out of this series - I was nervous about it.’’