Thursday, April 25, 2024
Despite a number of valiant pitching performances, Gatesville dropped its district-opening baseball contests in extra innings to Robinson, and the Hornets currently are 0-3 in district play after a loss to China Spring.
The Rockets defeated the Hornets 6-4 on March 29 in eight innings and won the rematch two days later 4-3 in nine innings.
The league opener took two days to complete thanks to a lightning delay that interrupted the March 28 game. The Rockets had a runner on first in the top of the sixth inning in a scoreless game when it was postponed by lightning and resumed the next night.
In the top of the sixth the Rockets scored twice to take a 2-0 lead but the Hornets bounced back in the bottom of the sixth when Bralen Veazey singled and scored Lawson Mooney.
They tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a one-out double from Justin Johnson and a sacrifice fly from Kason Herbelin.
After Robinson scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Hornets battled back in the bottom of the inning. Brady James singled to start the inning and a walk from Carter Williams followed. James scored on a passed ball to make it 6-3, then Williams came home on Johnson’s RBI single.
With the tying run on first, Herbelin laced a line drive to left field that was somehow scooped up just before it hit the grass for the final out.
The Hornets showed similar fight in the rematch three days later, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.
Down 3-0 heading into the last half-inning, Mason Mooney quickly cut the deficit to 3-1 with a no-doubt home run to left. Williams was hit by a pitch and John Ibarra walked, then Herbelin dropped a sacrifice bunt that was misplayed allowing Williams and Ibarra to score and had Herbelin standing on third with no outs. A pair of strikeouts and a groundout ended the threat.
The Rockets scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to secure the 4-3 win. The celebration from the Rocket faithful displayed a certain degree of relief as the two wins are the first victories the Rockets have in boys sports this year.
“It’s been a very tough week and a half. The guys fought back both games and our pitching was really good against Robinson. We had chances to win both games but have to tip our cap to them because we made costly mistakes late and left guys in scoring position and they didn’t,” head coach Chase Smith said. “We have won games and lost games late and I hope the guys can use that experience as a positive and a learning experience because it probably won’t be the last close game we play this year.”
Despite the loss, there was plenty of positives – particularly the return of Erwin and the relief efforts of freshman Gehrig Keeton.
Erwin - who has battled injuries this season - threw 5-1/3 innings, scattered five hits and allowed one earned run. Keeton pitched the final 3-1/3 innings and was tagged with the loss despite allowing just three hits and one earned run.
“Both and Gehrig are coming off really good pitching performances so that is definitely a positive. We just have to minimize the mental mistakes and show up ready to play every day. I think the guys are doing a great job of learning from mistakes and keeping a positive attitude,” Smith said.
Though No. 5-ranked China Spring dealt the Hornets their third straight loss on April 3, the ever-optimistic Smith still indicated that he feels his team will peak at the proper time.
“I think the guys are doing a great job of learning from mistakes and keeping a positive attitude. I have been telling the guys it’s not always the best team that wins it’s the team that plays the best that wins and we have to show up and play well if we are going give ourselves a chance to win,” he said.
The Hornets faced China Spring again on April 6, then are schedule to finish district with two games each against Waco Connally, Salado, and Waco La Vega. A 4-6 district record would get the Hornets into the postseason.
“The playoffs are very much still in the picture and I feel like we are a playoff team,” Smith said. “We will keep working and getting better and if we play like we are capable of we will have an exciting last few weeks of the season.”
