Montoya into semi-finals at 38th Annual IRT Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout

Rodrigo Montoya will have a chance to win back to back titles on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as he came back to defeat Andree Parrilla, 13-15, 15-13, 11-7, in the quarterfinals of the 38th Annual IRT Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout in Lombard, Illinois Friday night. It was a close match in all three games, but Montoya pulled ahead for good after they were tied at 5-5 in the tie-breaker. He finished it with winners on three consecutive rallies.

Asked afterwards whether he feels more pressure to win again after winning his first IRT tournament two weeks ago, Montoya said “no,” and that it was the “opposite.” He feels now he can “just relax and enjoy,” adding “this is my passion.”

Montoya will play top seed Conrrado Moscoso in the semi-finals Saturday night, as Moscoso beat Andrés Acuña, 15-3, 15-7, in the quarters. They two met two weeks ago in the semi-finals in Minneapolis, where Montoya won in two games.

It’ll be 2 versus 3 in the other semi-final, as 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck will take on 3rd seed Eduardo Portillo. Both players won their respective quarterfinal matches in two straight games. Bredenbeck beat his doubles partner Samuel Murray, 15-3, 15-7, and Portillo took out Alejandro Landa, 15-2, 15-9. Landa picked up a leg injury in February and his movement on court still seems to be hampered by it.

You can see the IRT semis and final from Lombard via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. The doubles semi-finals will be Saturday at noon and 1 PM with the singles semis at 6 and 7 PM Saturday. The singles final is Sunday at 11 AM with doubles to follow at Noon. All times Central.

38th Annual IRT Papa Nicholas Shamrock Shootout
March 16-19, 2023 - Lombard, Illinois

IRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Conrrado Moscoso d. 9) Andrés Acuña, 15-3, 15-7
5) Rodrigo Montoya d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 13-15, 15-13, 11-7

3) Eduardo Portillo d. 6) Alejandro Landa, 15-2, 15-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 7) Samuel Murray, 15-3, 15-7

IRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Conrrado Moscoso v. 5) Rodrigo Montoya - 7 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck v. 3) Eduardo Portillo - 6 PM

IRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Javier Mar & Rodrigo Montoya v. 4) Alejandro Landa & Conrrado Moscoso - 1 PM
2) Adam Manilla & Andree Parrilla v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Samuel Murray - Noon

Follow the bouncing ball….