Two James Bowie pitchers showed a definite contrast in styles, but the results were the same in the Pirates’ Region III-2A quarterfinals series with Maud.
After fireballer Aaron Barron struck out 14 batters in Thursday‘s 5-4 series opener, sophomore right-hander Whitt Rogers slowed the action down with an assortment of breaking balls, allowing the Pirates to complete the series sweep with a 5-1 victory Friday at Texas High’s Tiger Field.
Rogers needed only 87 pitches in his complete-game effort, scattering six hits, striking out two and walking one.
“Whitt pitches to contact, and depends on his defense to make plays. Fortunately, tonight we did,” said James Bowie coach Eddie May. “There was quite a change in the pitching speed yesterday and today, and it makes it tough to hit.”
James Bowie never trailed in series
James Bowie never trailed in the series, building a 3-0 lead after three innings before Maud scored its lone run in the fourth on a single by Rayne Bailey, who stole second, moved to third on a fielder’s choice, and scored on Cason Lamb’s single.
But James Bowie came right back with two runs in the top of the fifth. Brandon Obnoskey’s RBI single was the big blow in the frame. Dalton McBride and Evan Williams also singled in the inning.
Rogers also drove in the game’s first run with a groundnut, scoring Cason Braley, who had singled.
Brian Blackburn went the first five innings for Maud and absorbed the loss. Payton Windham finished up. Tristian White had three of the Cardinals’ hits, all singles.
James Bowie (16-4) advances to next week’s regional semifinals against either Shelbyville or Cushing. Shelby won Game 1 of the best-of-three series, 15-1, on Thursday.
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