Badgers fall to Riviera 3-2

Seahawks win district title

The Bishop Badger varsity baseball team fell short to district rival Riviera this past Friday night in Bishop, losing in a heartbreaker 3-2.

With all the talent on the field, several college scouts were in attendance along with a great showing of fans for both teams.

“The crowd was awesome! They were in it all the way and were very supportive,” Bishop Badgers Head Coach Nathan Borden said.

The victory gave Riviera sole possession of the District 32-2A championship, thus earning a first round bye in the playoffs.

The Seahawks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and then scored again in the third inning to make it 2-0.

The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Badgers made their move.

Bishop took advantage on a mistake by the Seahawks on a rundown situation that was not executed properly, thus allowing Bishop’s Dave Gonzalez to score from second base.

Badger Tommy Cavazos then hit a big double that scored Tres Figueroa, knotting the contest at 2-2 going into the seventh inning.

The tie was short lived as the Seahawks scored one run in the top of the seventh, taking a one run lead.

Down 3-2, the Badgers were able to hit the ball well, but a big defensive play in centerfield by Riviera sealed the win.

In the statistics, Carl Huizar suffered his first loss of the season, bringing his pitching record to 5-1.

Huizar struck out 12 Seahawk batters and allowed four hits on the night.

“Despite the loss, Carl got better. He was able to throw his change-up very effectively,” Borden said.

On the other side of the field, Riviera’s pitching kept a pretty good Badger lineup off balance for most of the game.

“Overall this was a good experience for our kids. You learn a lot from one run games, particularly ones that you lose,” he said.

“Games like this build character and team unity. This is the point last year where we were able to put together some well-played innings and games,” Borden said.

“Hopefully we will turn it on this week and make another long run in the playoffs,” Borden said.

Borden went on to say that this years motto will be “1 pitch, 1 out, 1 inning, 1 game at a time”.

The Badgers will open the Texas High School State Baseball playoffs with a best of three game series against the Freer Buckaroos in the Bi-District round.

Game one will take place at 8 p.m., Thursday, May 6 at Fairgrounds Field in Robstown, followed by game two starting at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 10 in Falfurrias.

If needed, game three will take place 30 minutes after completion of game two.

The winner of the Bi-District round will face Refugio in the Area round.

Lady Badgers face Industrial in Area Round

The Bishop Lady Badgers softball squad will face Industrial in the Area round of the Texas High School Softball playoffs at 7 p.m., Friday, May 7 in Aransas Pass.

Bishop earned a first round bye after winning the 32-2A District championship.

This will be the third time this year that the two schools will face each other in the playoffs, with the first coming in the state volleyball playoffs, followed by a basketball match up.