Soliz's single scores two runs to give Robstown 4-3 victory vs. rival Calallen
ROBSTOWN — Chris Soliz's seeing-eye single in the bottom of the seventh inning scored two runs to give Robstown a 4-3 victory against Calallen in Game 1 of a Class 4A regional quarterfinal series at Steve Castro Field on Thursday.
The Cotton Pickers were down 3-2 to the Wildcats entering the final inning, but Jason Cedillo began the inning being hit by a pitch from Calallen starter Roberto Perez. Then Roque Serrano followed with a bunt single to put runners on first and third with no outs.
After Serrano stole second, Soliz punched a single just past Calallen second baseman Aiden Buentello to score both runners for the victory.
"It was definitely nerve-wracking, the whole crowd on their feet yelling," Soliz said after the game. "I could barely hear my coaches talking to me. I told myself just stay down and stay level, it was a good ending. I'm happy for the guys. We stayed in it."
Soliz's single came after he allowed two unearned runs and throwing just under 90 pitches in earning the victory. It was the Cotton Pickers first victory against the Wildcats since 2018 and the first in two seasons of the two teams being in the same district again.
"I think I did pretty good, I stayed in it as I usually do," said Soliz, who gave up three runs, two unearned, on five hits. "I didn't get mad at myself, stayed pitching for the town and I'm glad we got the win, though."
The series will resume with Game 2 at 7 p.m. Friday at Steve Chapman Field in Calallen.
High School Baseball
Class 4A regional quarterfinals
Game 1
Robstown 4, Calallen 3
Thursday's highlights: Calallen vs. Robstown
The lead changed hands at least three times during this game as Robstown struck first with a run in the first inning. But Calallen scored two in the third, taking advantage of a Robstown error for a 2-1 lead. The Cotton Pickers, though, tied it in the fifth with an RBI single by Roque Serrano only to have the Wildcats retake the lead in the sixth on an A.J. Yepez sacrifice fly. In the seventh, Robstown did what it does best. After Jason Cedillo was hit by a pitch, Serrano laid down a bunt and reached and Cedillo moved to third. Then Soliz hit his seeing-eye single to score two and win the game.
Thursday's stars
Soliz finished the game 1 for 3 at the plate with two RBI, including the game-winner, and on the mound gave up three runs, one earned, on five hits with two strikeouts. Serrano finished the night 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI, and Joel Paredez was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Calallen's Ethan Salinas finished 1 for 3 with a run, and Yepez was 1 for 2 with an RBI. Calallen starter Roberto Perez gave up two runs on three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
They said it
Robstown pitcher Chris Soliz on his game-winning single on whether he thought it was through: "Honestly, I did at least to tie the game, I knew that for sure. But I did not think it was going to go through. But I'm glad it did, I'm very happy."
Robstown coach Elias Vasquez on the final hit to win the game: "I just wanted to make contact. We weren't really going to send our guy in because there's no outs, and their defense was playing up. But man it had seeing eyes and it got through, so we were sending both of them at that time."
Calallen coach Steve Chapman on the difference in the game: "The last inning. We hit the leadoff hitter and then don't field a bunt and get an out. What else can I say? It was a well played game on both sides until then. Hey, it's another day, we got to put this one behind us as fast as we can."
High School Baseball: UIL Baseball Playoffs: Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend regional quarterfinal schedule, scores
Len Hayward is a USA Today Sports Network Region sports director and the Caller-Times sports editor. Support more coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Robstown tops Calallen in UIL baseball playoff thriller
