Tuesday, April 23, 2024
After a rout of Waco La Vega to end the regular season, Gatesville High School’s baseball team has turned its attention to picking up the third playoff series win in program history.
The Hornets (14-14) faced District 24-4A champion Marble Falls in the bi-district round with game one taking place on Thursday at Ryan Powell Memorial Field. The series shifted to Marble Falls for game two and a third game, if necessary, was to be determined via a coin flip prior to game one.
The Mustangs entered the postseason with a record of 20-6 and went 12-2 en route to their district title. They are 17-3 in their last 20 games and average 10.1 runs per game. In their last nine wins they have scored an average of 12.8 runs per game.
The Hornets will counter with a pitching staff and defense allowing just 4.1 runs per game. Gatesville ace Bralen Veazey was the likely starter in game one and the Hornets will use their pitching depth to slow the Mustang offense in any subsequent games. Grant Erwin and Gehrig Keeton have been interchangeable in the number two spot for Gatesville while John Ibarra, Kason Herbelin, Banner Allman, Justin Johnson, Brady James, Ayden Necessary, and Clayton Gregory have all seen time on the mound this season.
Marble Falls shares a district with Jarrell and Georgetown Gateway – two teams that Gatesville has also faced this season. Marble Falls swept all four of its games against the Cougars and Gators while Gatesville was 1-2.
A series win would propel Gatesville into the area round for the first time since 2010. Both the 2010 and 2006 teams advanced to the regional quarterfinals. The 2010 squad lost to Burnet in the regional quarters, and the 2006 team lost to Cameron Yoe in the quarterfinal round.
Gatesville’s last playoff appearance was in 2021 when the Hornets fell to Graham in two games in the bi-district playoffs.
Their final regular-season win – 19-0 over La Vega – was highlighted by 3-for-3 nights at the plate from Necessary and Erwin and a 3-for-4 performance by senior William Crozier. Necessary had five RBI and picked up the win striking out eight and allowing just two hits in three innings. Erwin, Crozier, and Mason Mooney each scored three times and Ben Mabry had four RBI.
