James Bowie coach Eddy May had visualized something different, but was tickled to death with the Pirates’ 5-4 win over rival Maud in front of several hundred fans Thursday night at Texas High.
The Pirates (17-4) beat Maud twice in District 17-2A play this year, and was favored in Thursday’s 2A quarterfinal series opener with ace Evan Barron on the mound. The two schools play the second game of their series Friday, with a third game to follow if necessary.
“Evan did well despite us kicking the ball around a little; we’ll be better at that tomorrow,” said May. “I’m proud of the kids, they battled and found a way to win. At this time of year that’s what you do, find a way to win. All the errors tonight was unusual for us, but that’s high school baseball some times. We’ve got to play better in the field tomorrow.”
James Bowie, Maud combine for 10 errors
The two teams combined for 10 errors. The Pirates captured a 2-0 lead in the first inning with the help of two Cardinal miscues.
Barron did not allow a hit in the first three innings, striking out seven during that stretch. Payton Windham tripled down the right field line for Maud’s first hit in the fourth. Pinch-runner Landon Smith scored a few pitches later on a James Bowie throwing error.
The Cardinals gave that run, and another in the fifth after committing three errors to make it 4-1. Maud answered with three runs in the sixth to tie the score.
Barron singled to right field to start the bottom of the seventh. A walk and infield error loaded the bases with nobody out. It appeared losing pitcher Cade Townsend might escape the jam, but Brandon Obenoskey scored the decisive run when Tyler Crabtree walked.
Hawks drop series opener to Kilgore, 10-1
MARSHALL, Texas – Texas Tech recruit Chase Hampton held second-ranked Pleasant Grove to three hits, and struck out nine Thursday in 5.2 innings to lead Kilgore past the Hawks, 10-1.
Sixth-ranked Kilgore broke the 4A best-of-three quarterfinal series open with six runs in the sixth inning at East Texas Baptist University.
Pleasant Grove (25-5) led 1-0 in the first frame after catcher Keaton Russo smashed a home run over the centerfield fence. The Hawks managed only two more hits, singles by Russo and Parker Twisdale.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs banged out 12 hits. Gus Witt had three of those hits, while Cade Pippen, Deuce Ervin, Khalon Clayton and Connor Martin contributed two hits each.
Be the first to comment