Baseball Game Preview: Zapata Hawks vs. Robstown Cottonpickers

Zapata hasn't had much luck against Robstown recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Hawks will square off against the Cottonpickers at 7:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

As a matter of fact, Zapata put up the most runs they have all season on Friday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand King a 14-0 shutout. Considering the Hawks have won seven matches by more than five runs this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Noel Camarillo

Earned Runs

04/08/25 @ Tuloso-Midway	6
02/20/25 vs Holmes	2
03/14/25 vs Falfurrias	1
03/10/25 @ Roma	1

Noel Camarillo tossed a big game, keeping things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 11 over five innings pitched. He is becoming a predictor of Zapata's success: when he allows at most one earned run the team is 5-1 (and 5-7 when he doesn't).

On the hitting side, Lauro Guerra and Jay Solis did most of the damage at the plate: Guerra scored three runs and stole two bases while going 2-for-2, while Solis scored two runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3. That's the most stolen bases Guerra has posted since back in March of 2024. Another player making a difference was Danny Benavides, who scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-4.

Zapata kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 11 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Robstown had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They blew past King 15-4 on Tuesday. The high-scoring performance was a welcome turnaround for the Cottonpickers' hitters, who had struggled in the games prior.

Zapata's record is now 10-8. As for Robstown, their record now sits at 11-13.

Zapata came up short against Robstown in their previous meeting back in April of 2022, falling 6-1. Can the Hawks avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.