Hornets defeat Tigers, 8-5

A strong start for the Gatesville Hornets baseball team guided them to an 8-5 District 6-4A victory over Glen Rose on Friday, March 25.

The Hornets rebounded after being shot down, 12-1, by Stephenville on Tuesday. The Hornets struck early, scoring two runs in the third and fourth innings, while keeping the Tigers scoreless.

Glen Rose retaliated in the fifth inning, rounding the diamond four times. Gatesville closed out the game with a run in the sixth and three in the seventh for the win.

GHS head coach Chase Smith praised the Hornets for bouncing back after a tough loss in their previous game.

“It was a big win for us,” Smith said. “We came back this week and have worked extremely hard and really have come together as a team.”

Smith was keen on pitcher Kason Herbelin’s performance on the mound. Herbelin allowed only one run in the game. The first 12 batters did not fare well against Herbelin’s pitching was particularly effective against the first 12 batters as he was “setting the tone for us defensively,” the coach noted.

Cayden Mata was a force for the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-4 while driving in four runs. He hit a double in the seventh inning that drove in three runs to help the Hornets secure the win.

The Hornets are scheduled to face Lampasas on Tuesday as District 6-4A play continues. The Hornets defeated the Badgers handily in their first outing, 10-0 in a five-inning win that ended on the mercy rule.

Smith said he thinks the Hornets will face a different Lampasas team this time because of their play since the game in Gatesville. Smith noted that the Hornets must eliminate mental mistakes and focus their efforts each inning.

The Hornets improved to a 7-9 overall record and upped their district record to 2-2.