Southwest controls its destiny entering final week - mySanAntonio.com

The task ahead for Southwest to accomplish may be reminiscent of Sisyphus, but the Dragons have a chance to win District 28-6A.

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was sentenced to push a boulder up a steep hill, only to have it roll back down. Southwest’s equivalent would involve winning four games in the final week of the season, two of which were rescheduled from April 22 and April 24.

Pitching depth is possibly the greatest strength for the Dragons (10-9, 3-3) and it will be put to the test with games scheduled at home April 27 against South San (3-15, 0-6) and April 28 against Corpus Christi Ray (11-5, 5-1) and road games Thursday, April 30, against Corpus Christi King (13-6, 5-1) and Friday, May 1, versus Corpus Christi Carroll (13-3-1, 4-3).

“We have more quality pitching depth than we’ve had in the past,” Southwest coach John Velasquez said. “The question is whether they can take the grind, physically and mentally. If we win all four, we have a chance to be district champion.”

In Southwest’s only game of the previous seven days, the Dragons defeated East Central (11-8, 2-5) 3-1 April 21. The Hornets also lost 7-3 to Carroll on April 23 in Corpus Christi.

East Central will finish its regular season with games at home against Ray on April 27, versus King on April 28 in Corpus Christi and Friday, May 1 at home against South San.

“Without a doubt, those three games will be tough,” East Central Coach Joe Gutierrez said, “but if we had to play four, that would be even more difficult. This is going to come down to the last day.”

East Central and Southwest may be fighting for the final postseason spot in 28-6A. Entering the final week, the area playoff qualifiers were Burbank (13-7, 11-3), Central Catholic (9-11-1, 3-2), Harlandale (14-5-1, 12-2), Holy Cross (15-7, 9-2), Highlands (11-7-1, 9-5) and McCollum (14-5, 14-0).

Southwest senior Joseph Cerda, who signed to play next year at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, pitched a five-hitter against East Central.

“It’s a really good win,” Cerda said. “We’re hoping we get on a roll. If we can win out, we’ll put pressure on everyone.”

Cerda, Zachary Ponce (squeeze bunt) and Juan Carlos Hernandez (triple) drove in runs for Southwest. East Central pulled within 2-1 in the fifth on Kyle Wildman’s single.

Holy Cross 8, Cornerstone Christian 4

The Knights (16-7, 10-2) not only secured Holy Cross coach Polo Botello’s 250th career win over 22 years, but took over first place with a TAPPS District 4-4A victory over Cornerstone Christian (13-5, 10-2) April 23 at Wolff Stadium.

“They’ve gone through a lot of growing pains,” Botello said. “They’ve played close to 100 games together.”

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