Day 1 recap: MLB RBI Southwest Regional Tournament

The first day of the MLB RBI Southwest Regional Tournament is officially in the books. Rangers RBI, Astros RBI, RBI Austin and NOLA YA RBI competed in a combined total of 12 games during today’s pool play, despite a brief rain delay.

Rangers RBI competed well, winning three of six games. The Rangers RBI 15U team finished the day with two losses to Astros RBI and NOLA YA RBI. In Game 1, the Astros RBI pitchers limited the Rangers offensive production holding them to just three runs. Catcher Jackson Morris was perfect at the plate with two RBI, and David Hogg II took command of the infield with key defensive stops at short. In Game 2, vs. NOLA YA RBI, the Rangers struggled to score, even with pitcher Victor Camarillo’s work on the mound. Tomorrow, the Rangers 15U team will look to win Game 1 and battle back to make the finals.

The Rangers RBI 18U team finished the day undefeated, beating both Astros RBI and NOLA YA RBI. In Game 1, the team edged out the Astros by one run. Starting pitcher James Malone limited the Astros hits and showed his quickness after catching a line drive, securing the first out of the game. Outfielder Dylan Byrd made critical plays throughout the game showcasing his defensive strengths. In Game 2, the Rangers claimed yet another one-run victory of NOLA YA RBI. With solid performances on offense and defense, this young roster proved to be a front-runner, finishing the game with a walk-off triple from Channing Vernon.

The Rangers RBI 18U Softball team finished the day even, dropping the first game to Astros RBI followed by a dominant victory of NOLA YA RBI. In an intense game of back and forth with the two-time reigning World Series Champion Astros, the Rangers lost by one run in the bottom of the ninth. Rangers centerfielder, Italia Ortiz, made a diving catch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth. The Rangers rallied back with a three-run seventh and two-run ninth. DH Melanie Henderson finished 2-for-2 with one RBI and starting pitcher Giovanca Frias finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, and pitched 4 2/3 innings. In Game 2, Gabriela Quintanilla ignited the Rangers offense with an inside-the-park three-run homer. Ditha Gonzales pitched a five-inning complete game allowing just two runs and catcher Charity Vernon threw out multiple baserunners attempting to steal.

Standings