Nike RBI Southwest Regional Day 1 recap
Jr. Baseball
The Rangers Nike RBI junior baseball team opened the tournament with a perfect record after a 15-0 three-inning statement win over Louisiana Youth Baseball Nike RBI and a 4-2 win over NOLA Urban Youth Academy Nike RBI.
In their first game, starting pitcher Santos Salinas struck out five batters in 2 2/3 innings pitched, and teammate Nathan Ortega closed out the game to complete the combined no-hitter. Kyle Moore was the Rangers' offensive player of the game, going 2-for-2 at the plate.
Raul Lomas pitched three shutout innings in game two with five punch outs to earn the win, while Emiliano Maldonado led the team on offense going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Moore had another strong showing in his second game, again going 2-for-2 with a run scored.
Sr. Baseball
The Rangers Nike RBI senior baseball team started the tournament 1-1 and will look for two pool play wins tomorrow to secure a spot in Sunday’s championship game.
In their opening game, left fielder Trace Spann knocked two doubles and a home run at the plate leading the Rangers to a late innings 7-5 win over NOLA Urban Youth Academy Nike RBI.
Romel Garcia hit a solo home run in the team’s matchup against Houston Astros Nike RBI, but a late rally by the Astros gave them the 4-1 win.
Softball
The Rangers Nike RBI softball squad opened pool play 0-2, losing to Houston Astros Nike RBI and NOLA Urban Youth Academy Nike RBI.
In the 10-1 loss to the Astros, the Rangers' bats failed to find a gap in the Astros defense. Vivi-Anne Amparan scored the team's lone run on an in-the-park homer.
In game two against NOLA, 2023 Jr. Home Run Derby National Champion Amira Forbit proved to be a threat on both sides of the ball, but the team failed to make up the run differential falling 7-4.
All three Rangers Nike RBI teams will hit the fields for day two of pool play, beginning at 8 a.m.