Offensive surge carries co-district leader Southwest past McCollum
Midway through the District 28-5A season, Southwest shared first place with Southwest Legacy.
However, veteran Southwest coach Sandy Hernandez was aware that objects in the rearview mirror may be closer than they appeared. In other words, she knew that the Dragons needed to continue taking care of business in the remaining seven district games.
“It’s not a surprise to me that both Floresville and Legacy are really hot right now,” Hernandez said. “The momentum Legacy has right now is going to play a big role in the finale of our season.
“We just have to play our game and come through in situations we need to. We can’t take anybody for granted. Not one team in our district.”
In the first round of 28-5A games, Southwest lost only to Floresville, 3-2, on March 16. The Dragons handed co-leader and rival Legacy its only loss, 7-4, on March 2. The Titans, coached by Hernandez’s former assistant Teri Camarillo, won their last five games in the round.
The Dragons had a two-game winning streak as Hernandez won her 300th and 301st career games, 6-3, against Harlandale on March 19, and 12-7 against McCollum on March 24.
“McCollum is a team that can hit,” said Hernandez, who is in her 13th season as Dragons coach. “We knew we had our work cut out for us. Our bats came alive, and we were able to outscore them.”
Southwest overcame five errors against McCollum with 14 hits. The Cowboys manufactured 11 hits, but fell behind 4-1 in the bottom of the first inning. The Cowboys scored on an error in the top of the inning.
The Dragons seized the lead with an RBI double from Angelina Isbell, a two-run double from freshman Marina Garza (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and an RBI single from senior Haiven Lopez (3-for-4, RBI).
“We had been kind of struggling with the bats,” Hernandez said. “We scored 12 runs, but 10 of them were unearned. Playing small ball made a bit of a difference. For sure, everybody had a hand in that.
“Alexis (Obregon) did a good job pitching.”
McCollum closed within 4-3 in the top of the third at Southwest. Freshman America Ramirez produced a sacrifice fly and another McCollum run scored on an error to close the gap.
Once again, Southwest responded with a big inning.
Senior Hannah Wagner drove an RBI single and scored on Angela Morales’ single in the bottom of the third. Lopez also scored on Morales’ two-out hit.
“I think the short game kind of helped us,” Hernandez said. “We put pressure on their defense later in the game.”
The pattern repeated again in the fourth, with a slight variation.
A two-run double by Rosalyn Rodriguez (2-for-4, RBI) brought McCollum within 7-6. The Cowboys scored their last run on a home run from Maddie Espinoza (3-for-4, RBI) in the seventh, but Southwest had compiled a six-run lead by then.
Southwest rallied for five runs in the fifth. Wagner (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Megan Baldwin delivered RBI singles. Two runs scored on fielder’s choices.
“They’re doing a great job,” Hernandez said of her team. “Megan Baldwin is having a great year, and she came out of nowhere. Marina Garza hit a home run against Legacy. She comes through in big situations.”
