BADGER VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN TOURNEY — Team members are Dave Gonzalez, Bruizer DelBosque, Jacob Beltran, David Perez, Tommy Cavazos, J.P. Escobar, Carl Huizar and Nick Pacheco, Esteban Cuevas, Dylan Horner, Joey Olvera, A.J. Gaona, Robert Gaona, Jesse Lira, Tres Figueroa and Patrick Ramirez. (Photo courtesy of Tito Huizar) The No. 1 ranked Bishop Badgers (7-1-1) varsity baseball team hosted its first annual baseball tournament this past weekend with Beeville, Ben Bolt, Bishop, Karnes City, Orange Grove and Riviera participating.

Thirteen games were played throughout the weekend, Bishop coming out victorious with an undefeated record in the tournament to keep the first place trophy at home.

The Badgers opened the pool play on Thursday with a 15-1 lopsided win over the Ben Bolt Badgers, followed by another one-sided 12-0 victory over the Beeville Trojans.

Several players were able to showcase their talent in front of a Houston Astro’s scout in attendance at Thursday’s games.

The two big wins earned the Badgers the No.1 seed going into Saturday’s games.

On Saturday, Bishop faced a tenacious Orange Grove Bulldog team, eventually squeaking out a 1-0 victory to advance into the championship game.

In the championship game, the much anticipated game featured the Badgers against district rivals Riviera Seahawks.

The Badgers fell behind early, facing a 4-1 deficit at one point, but continued to fight.

The Bishop bats came alive to take the 6-5 victory over the Seahawks.

All Badger pitchers were effective this weekend.

Joey Olvera picked up a win in the first game of the tournament and earned a save as he closed out the Seahawks.

Carl Huizar also earned a win over the Beeville Trojans in Bishop’s second game of the tournament.

Huizar had 13 strikeouts in five innings in a one hitter against the Trojans.

On Saturday, A.J. Gaona threw a two hit shut-out against the Orange Grove Bulldogs, while Patrick Ramirez, Dave Gonzalez and Joey Olvera combined to beat the Riviera Seahawks.

Gonzalez came in to relieve Ramirez and changed the momentum in a gritty performance, shutting down the Seahawks in the third inning and earning the win.

With bases loaded and one out, Gonzalez struck out a Riviera batter and then got a ground ball to end the inning without giving up a run.

In the last inning of play, with the Seahawks needing a run, Olvera came in to pitch with two outs and the winning run at second base.

Olvera inherited a 2-0 count, but showed great control in striking out the Seahawk batter on three pitches to earn himself the save and close out the tournament with the championship.

Leading the Badger offense in the weekend tournament were Tommy Cavazos, Jacob Beltran and Carl Huizar.

Earning all tournament honors were A.J. Gaona, Tommy Cavazos, Carl Huizar and Jacob Beltran.

“I would like to thank all the participating teams for attending and making this tournament a great success,” Bishop Badger Head Coach Nathan Borden said.

The Badgers will be back on the diamond competing in the Falfurrias Tournament to be held Thursday, March 11 through Saturday, March 13 in Falfurrias.

Bishop will open the tournament with a game against Edcouch-Elsa at 10 a.m. in Falfurrias on Thursday and at 10 a.m. against Laredo LBJ in Falfurrias on Friday.

Games going on this week

Bishop High School’s junior varsity and freshman baseball teams compete at a tournament in Hebbronville Thursday through Saturday.

The Lady Badger junior varsity softball team competes at a tournament in Orange Grove Thursday through Saturday.