Mustangs Round Up the Rough Riders for 2nd Win

The Mustangs were back in action yesterday for a bout with Boys Ranch. It was warm and windy, and the game lasted forever. Austin Miller started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. Miller started strong getting two quick strike-outs. Boys Ranch's 3 and 4 holes proved to be tough throughout the whole night. The three hole got a double which was quickly followed by an in the park home run by the four hole. Miller showed focus though, by striking out the next batter. The Mustangs put together a good amount of hitting to get some runs in. Devin Cornell got on with a walk and he was knocked in by a great Monteiro double. Brady Baggett got on next with a walk, but got thrown out on the bags. However, while the Rough Riders were focused on Baggett, Monteiro slipped in for the run. After a strike-out the Mustangs rallied on two to keep it going. Seth Skarke got on with a walk and was knocked in by a blast from Dustin Ford. Ransom Hollingsworth then came to the plate and also took a shot to left field for a double and scoring Ford. The inning ended with a Kaleb Wood hit that he tried to get an extra base out of and came up a little short, but not before scoring another run. An error and a single got the Rough Riders into scoring position in the top of the 2nd before Miller came back and struck-out three more. Brandon Nichols got things started with a single to center, which was followed by a walk. Monteiro got another hit, scoring Nichols. After another walk and an out the Mustang runners fell down a bit on the bags getting two picked off one after another to end the inning. The three hole was back up to get things going for Boy's Ranch getting a triple to center field. A walk got another runner on, and then a passed ball brought in a runner to score. Miller fought back again though to end the inning. The Mustangs quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, but the couldn't get any hits to score. The Rough Rider began with a walk and and hit by pitch. Getting greedy on the bases, however, led to Monteiro throwing out the runner for out one. Following another walk, Coach Green decided to change pitchers and give Miller some rest. Miller and Skarke traded places, and Skarke took the ball. The three hole came up first for Skarke and after getting a decent hit, the ball rolled right threw the legs of a Mustang. The three hole then scored an in the park home run. Two doubles followed before the Mustangs came back with outs courtesy of Skarke and Wood. Monteiro started at the plate for the bottom of the fourth drawing a walk. After stealing some bases he was in scoring position. Baggett came next and got beaned in the hand to take his base. Baggett then sacrificed himself going to second base to allow Monteiro to steal home. Miller came next and reached on an error and Skarke followed with a walk. Ford came up and hit another great shot to knock in Miller. Hollingsworth followed him up with a great double to score Skarke and Ford. Wood took a walk and began running to second to sacrifice himself to get another score in before the inning ended. Skarke threw strong getting three strike-outs after a walk. At the top of the fifth, Cornell reached with a hit by pitch, followed by Monteiro drawing the walk. Baggett came to the plate and made great contact for the sacrifice to score Cornell. Miller followed with a sacrifice himself scoring Monteiro. The Mustangs got one more on the bags before a strike-out sent us to the top of the sixth. The Mustangs played great defense in the top of the sixth allowing only one run off of a homer. Skarke got a strike-out and Baggett accounted for two of the outs. After a couple of hours of play the Mustangs lit a fire and came out swinging. Hollingsworth got on with a walk and a Wood single scored him. After a fly-out, Cornell reached with a walk and then Monteiro hit a single to score Wood. Baggett came next a ripped one up the middle to score Cornell. Miller also came out swinging and reached on an error made by the third baseman, followed by Skarke with a walk. With the two runners on 3rd and 2nd needed to end the game with a run-rule, Jeffrey Tyree came to the plate and ripped it to center to score Baggett and Miller and win the game. The final score was 19-9. The boys stayed strong throughout a long, windy game. Miller and Skarke had nine and five strike-outs, respectively. Hitting double were Monteiro, Ford, and Hollingsworth (2). The Mustangs also ran aggressively on the bases and racked up 26 stolen bases. They will be in action against the Booker Kiowas on Saturday, at 1:00 pm. Good Luck.