Friday, April 26, 2024
Bralen Veazey and Aydan Necessary combined for a one-hit pitching performance and Gatesville racked up 13 hits en route to a 20-1 baseball victory over Waco Connally Tuesday.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak and inches the Hornets closer to a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons. The Hornets fell 7-3 to Class 4A No. 4-ranked China Spring on Monday – a game that was postponed on April 6 due to severe weather.
Against the Cadets, the Hornets scored two runs in the first inning, two in the second then combined for 16 runs over the final two innings. Lawson Mooney, Banner Allman, and Brady James combined to go 6 for 10 with eight RBI and seven runs scored from the top three spots in the lineup. Mooney also stole three bases.
Justin Johnson had two hits and scored twice while William Crozier had a single, two RBI, and scored a run. In all, nine different Hornets had hits and 13 scored at least one run.
“We hit some balls hard tonight and I hope it can build confidence in some guys that have been working hard and deserve to see that come through with some good hits,” said head coach Chase Smith.
Veazey was his usual self as he struck out nine hitters, walked one, and allowed just one single. The junior lefty got the win but handed the ball to Necessary to start the fifth and finish the game.
Necessary, a senior who has missed two full seasons of baseball due to knee injuries suffered in football, retired all three hitters he faced. After a lineout to start the inning, he got a pair of strikeouts to end the game and set off a celebration at the pitcher’s mound that’s rarely seen in 20-1 games.
“The positive energy coming from the dugout and the guys was really nice to see and getting to see Aydan get in to pitch made it even more special for us all,” Smith said.
The Cadets had just three wins coming into the contest so the Hornets were heavy favorites, but Smith felt like his players did what they were supposed to do and built momentum for the home stretch of district.
“I think it was good for us in a lot of areas,” Smith said. “We are really taking it a game at a time trying to get better and again play our best against some good teams to come.”
The Hornets and Cougars played 1-1/2 innings on April 6 before severe weather postponed the game. It was resumed on Monday. When it did, the Hornets grabbed a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Kason Herbelin, Mooney, and Allman all singled before James drove in Herbelin and Mooney with a single to center field. Allman scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
China Spring scored five times in the top of the fourth inning to take a 6-3 lead, but freshman Gehrig Keeton took over in the fifth and allowed just two hits and one run over three innings of work.
Gatesville faced Connally on Friday night, then was scheduled to welcome Salado for a crucial series on Tuesday. A sweep or a split with Salado would bring the No. 3 playoff seed into play. Should they drop both games to Salado, sweeps of Connally and Waco La Vega will get the Hornets into the postseason as the No. 4 seed.
As the No. 4 seed, the Hornets would likely face Marble Falls, Burnet, or Jarrell out of District 24-4A.
