Sports

Velasquez’s grand slam ignites rally

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Two weeks ago, the Fort Stockton baseball team was tied for fifth place in District 2-4A with a 2-5 district record and were needing to win at least two of their final three games to qualify for the postseason.
Fort Stockton’s Isaiah Velasquez connects with a pitch during the Panthers’ 10-5 win against Pecos on April 19 at home. Velasquez has recorded 12 RBIs in 25 at-bats this season. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Prowlers red hot heading into postseason

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Fort Stockton is showing signs that they are performing at their best at a time when it matters the most. The Prowlers softball team will enter their bi-district playoff series with Riverside starting on Friday, April 29 on a three-game win streak after defeating Alpine in an away playoff warmup game on April 25.
Fort Stockton’s Yadira Hernandez is embraced by her teammates after her home run to end the Prowlers victory against Pecos on April 19 at home. Hernandez was 1-of-4 at the plate against Alpine on April 25 and finished the season with a .368 batting average. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Tennis duo season concludes

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Athena Gomez and Jaslyn Pacheco advancement to the Class 4A regional tennis tournament was a feat that hadn’t accomplished since the 2018 season by a Fort Stockton girls doubles team. After placing second at the Prowlers’ district meet on April 2, the duo continued their momentum in the first round at Fort Stockton’s regional tennis meet in Lubbock on April 14.
Athena Gomez, left, and Jaslyn Pacheco, right, are pictured after their victory in the first round of the Class 4A regional tournament in Lubbock on April 14. Courtesy Photo

Prowlers advance 9 athletes to area meet

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Peaking at the right time came to fruition for the Prowlers track and field team last week at the District 2-4A meet in Andrews.

The Fort Stockton girls had nine athletes qualify for the area meet via top-four finishes. Two individuals and a relay team had personal-best times or marks in hand by the end of the event.

Sophomore Ali Jackson earned three gold medals and clocked two personal records to cap the best day of her young track career.

Prowlers Track

Getting back on the winning track: Panthers baseball downs Pecos

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Fort Stockton’s three-game losing streak is over and the Panthers’ offense is back to firing on all cylinders.

The Panthers baseball team had scored a total of five runs in their past three games heading into Tuesday’s home bout against Pecos and Fort Stockton doubled that in six innings during their 10-5 win over the Eagles on April 19.

The victory evened the season series at 1-1 between the squads after Fort Stockton fell in a 14-13 slugfest in their first matchup of the season on March 29.

Fort Stockton pitcher Isaiah Velasquez tosses a pitch in the early innings of Tuesday’s home contest against Monahans. Velasquez got his first start of the season in the contest and threw a career-high six innings, which featured five strikeouts, five walks, and seven hits. Photo by Nathan Heuer

Fort Stockton softball advances to postseason

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The Fort Stockton softball team is back in the postseason for the first time since 2019, and they left no doubts they should be there with an emphatic win against Pecos on April 19 to end the regular season.

Yadira Hernandez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game via mercy rule with an 11-1 victory. The dinger was the second of the junior’s career and the first this season.

Yadira Hernandez celebrates as she comes down third baseline after hitting a home run that ended the game against Pecos on April 19 at home. The dinger secured the 11-1 run rule victory and a playoff spot for the Prowlers.

Panthers crowned District 2-4A track and field champions

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For the first time since 2010, the Fort Stockton boys track team are district champions.

The Panthers derailed Andrews’ 11-year district reign by overcoming a 23-point deficit to the Mustangs to capture the District 2-4A team title. Fort Stockton won the two-day event by one point on April 14.

The Panthers claimed six gold medals, three silver medals, and seven bronze medals in route to a title. In total, 11 Fort Stockton athletes advanced to regionals in the boys division.

Fort Stockton Track

Lady Longhorns capture district crown

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The Buena Vista girls athletic programs have reigned supreme in their respective district and classification during the 2021- 2022 school year. On March 31, the Lady Longhorns claimed their fourth district title this season in as many sports with a first-place finish at the District 10-1A Track & Field Championships in Rankin.
Pictured is the Buena Vista girls track team with their district championship plaque on March 31 at Rankin High School. The Lady Longhorns had 12 girls accumulate points for their team by placing in the top six. Courtesy Photo

Barragan shows talent on links

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The future of the Panthers golf team has the potential to be bright for many years to come. Fort Stockton middle schooler Brayde Barragan showcased his skills on the golf course over the past two weeks.
Pictured is the Fort Stockton middle school boys golf team after the Monahans Tournament lat week. The team consists of Rylee Muniz, Gerry Diaz, Damian Gonzales, Ethan Nunez, Allan Leyva, Brayde Barragan, Cody Young, Jonathan Bueno, and Emiliano Robles. Courtesy Photo
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