Rattlers continue hold on Bulldogs

MISSION — The Sharyland Rattlers continue to have McAllen High’s number.

Second-ranked Sharyland jumped out to a 5-0 lead and then held on for a 5-3 victory over fourth-ranked McHi in a District 30-5A showdown.

The Rattlers have now beaten the Bulldogs four times over the past two years.

“We just can’t seem to get over the hump,” said McHi coach Eliseo Pompa, who saw his squad fall to 19-7, 7-3 in district. “You can’t take anything away from Sharyland, because they have a good ballclub.”

Senior right-hander Alex Ramirez (4-0) pitched 6 2/3 innings before giving way to Ismael Tijerina, who gained credit for the save. Ramirez threw 112 pitches, allowed five hits and struck out three. Tijerina needed just two pitches to close out the contest on a solid fielding play by second baseman Cesar Guerrero.

“Alex is still not in pitching shape,” Sharyland coach Barton Bickerton said about his senior ace. “Hopefully he’ll be ready by playoff time.”

Sharyland (19-5, 8-1) and McHi already have secured postseason bids.

Ramirez also came up big with his bat, going 2-for-3. He drove in Sharyland’s second run of the game in the third inning, and Marco Rodriguez produced an RBI single in the second.

The Rattlers added two runs in the fourth on a solo home run by Andre Rodriguez and a successful double steal that plated David Perez, and the fifth run scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.

McHi started its rally in the sixth when losing pitcher Will Mettlach (2-4) tripled across Joaquin Hinojosa, who drew a walk. Whitney Lee clubbed a two-run home run in the seventh, scoring Albert Vizcaino (2-for-3), who singled to lead off the inning. Mettlach threw 98 pitches during six innings before giving way to Adrian Leal.