Mustangs stay alive with win over Shamrock

The Mustangs took on the Fighting Irish of Shamrock Monday, in a need to win game for the Mustangs. Seth Skarke started on the mound for the Mustangs with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. A hit by pitch on the first pitch started the game. The runner on first took off for second and Monteiro thew down. The ball rolled into the outfield, so the runner went to third. Brady Miller, playing heads up, came in and threw the ball to Bradley Cornell at third. Cornell laid the tag and the runner was out for out number one. Skarke got the second batter with a strikeout, but the third strike was dropped. Monteiro hustled to the ball was able to get the batter out with the throw to Austin Miller at first. Skarke finished with a three up three down on a strikeout. Monteiro started at the plate drawing a walk to reach. Tyler Peden also drew a base on balls to have two on. Tate Wilkerson hit a hard ball towards third that was too hot to handle allowing Monteiro to score. A double play got the first two outs, and then a put out ended the inning. The top of the second was another three up three down for the Mustang defense. Two hits back to Skarke who made the put outs to A. Miller, and a strikeout retired the sides. A strikeout started the bottom of the second. Brandon Nichols took his base on ball four. Jeremiah Hughes then took a nasty hit by pitch to his nose and eye. As far as I know he is doing fine, but please keep in him in your thoughts. Preston Belfield entered the game for Hughes. B. Miller hit a single towards the left line to score Nichols. Monteiro then hit back up the middle and he beat the throw out for a single that scored Belfield. B. Miller was able to score on a passed ball. Peden came to the plate and hit a single to right. Monteiro rounded third on the throw from the outfield and he slid into home. The catcher dropped the ball, Monteiro tagged home, and then the catcher tagged Monteiro with the ball. I guess the umpire couldn't see the hand print on the plate and he called Monteiro out. A pop up to second ended the inning. The top of the third had more three up three down action. The first Irish batter hit a line drive to left, but Nichols showed his speed and caught the ball for out number one. A walk got a batter on the bases. The next batter hit a ball back to Skarke who turned and threw to Peden who threw to A. Miller for the 6-4-3 double play. The bottom of the third started with a single to left hit by A. Miller. A line out to the short stop got out number one. Skarke hit a hard single past the third baseman to score A. Miller. Another line drive was hit but it was snagged by the first baseman for out two. A hit back to the pitcher ended the inning. There was more excellent defense in the top of the fourth. Two strikeouts and a pop up caught by Peden gave the Mustangs their fourth three up three down inning. The Mustangs couldn't get much going in the bottom of the fourth. Two pop ups to the second baseman and a put out from the second baseman ended the inning. The top of fifth started with a hit ball fielded by Skarke who made the put out to A. Miller for out one. Skarke followed with a strikeout. A walk allowed a runner to reach before Skarke got another strikeout to send the Mustangs in. A fly out to left center started the bottom of the fifth. A. Miller came to the plate and rocked a ball to right field for a triple. Cornell hit towards the short stop who made the put out, but Cornell brought in A. Miller for the sacrifice. Skarke hit a single to right that with an error allowed him to reach second. Nichols reached the bases on an error that brought Skarke in safely. Nichols stole second, but on a wild throw by the catcher the ball went into the outfield allowing him to get to third. Jeffrey Tyree came into the game and was able to draw a walk. On ball four the ball went past the catcher. Nichols got a great jump and went to steal home. He made a great head first slide into home and the catcher jumped on him. Once again, Nichols was safe at home but the umpire called him out to end the inning. A walk started the top of the sixth allowing a batter to reach. The next batter hit a sacrifice back to Skarke who made the out to A. Miller to put the runner in scoring position. However, two fly outs courtesy of Cornell and Wilkerson retired the side. B. Miller drew a base on balls to start the bottom of the sixth, but he was picked off first. Monteiro hit a single to right and then Peden hit a single to left to have runners in scoring position. A pop up caught by the short stop and a strikeout ended the inning before the Mustangs could put anymore runs on the board. During the sixth, Mr. Tucker announced a dance competition. Ron Nichols danced like nobody's business to win, and I believe his dance brought on the rain. The top of the seventh started with rain...yes people I said rain. The Irish were able to get some hits in the seventh. The first batter started off with a triple to center. He was followed by a double to left center to get them on the board. The next batter drew a walk, but the runner on second attempted to steal third. Monteiro threw down to Cornell who put the tag on for out number one. A hit by pitch got another batter on the bases. Wilkerson took over on the mound. An error allowed the bases to be loaded with one out. The next batter hit into a fielder's choice that had a runner out at third, but it also scored a run. Wilkerson fought back and got a strikeout to end the game and the rain for a little while. The Mustangs won 7-2. The boys played great defense having only one error. Skarke pitched 6 2/3 innings and had 7 strikeouts on the day, and Wilkerson pitched 2/3 of an inning and contributed one strikeout. The Mustangs had ten hits with A. Miller hitting a triple. The Mustangs will next be in action tomorrow at 4:30 here in Claude versus Follett. Good luck guys!

Mustangs drop close one to Booker

The Mustangs traveled to Booker on Good Friday, April 22nd, to take on the Kiowas. With a win the Mustangs would put themselves into the playoffs. It was beautiful day for baseball. A ground out and a lucky fly ball catch got two quick outs to start the game. Tate Wilkerson came to the plate and smacked the ball down the line for a two out double. A strikeout left him stranded and sent the Mustangs out to play defense. Austin Miller started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. A hit by pitch got the first batter on. A fly out caught by Brandon Nichols recorded the first out. A single to center scored a run and with errors the batter stood on third. A walk put another runner on the bases and then a passed ball allowed another run to score. A pop up to Wilkerson and a pop up to Tyler Peden ended the inning. Bradley Cornell got things started in the top of the second with a single up the middle. Seth Skarke hit a single to left to have two on. In an attempt to pick off Skarke, the first baseman missed the ball and Cornell was able to score. An error allowed Nichols to reach the bases. A fly out to center recorded the first out of the inning. Brady Miller stepped to the plate and hit to left field for a double that scored Skarke and Nichols. B. Miller tried to stretch it to third, but he was thrown out on the throw by the catcher. A strikeout retired the side. A. Miller started the bottom of the second off with a strikeout. A hit by pitch and a walk got to runners on the bags. A fly out to right caught by Jeremiah Hughes got the second out. An error on the hit by the next batter allowed a run to score. A walk loaded the bases. The next batter hit a double to left center to score three. A single to left and a walk had the bases loaded again. B. Miller then came and took over on the mound. A strikeout left the bases loaded and ended the inning. A fly out to center, a pop up to short, and a strikeout had the Mustangs back on the field. A double started the bottom of the third. B. Miller got two strikeouts and then a pop up was caught by Wilkerson. Cornell started off the top of the fourth with a double to left center. Skarke hit a single to left to score Cornell. He turned to take second and slid in, but somehow he was out. A put out from the pitcher had out number two. An error on the first baseman allowed Hughes to reach the bags. A fly out to center retired the side. The bottom of the fourth started with a single to left. Two strikeouts had two quick outs. An error allowed another batter to get on and another error allowed runners to reach third and second. The next batter reached on an error that allowed a run to score. B. Miller fought back and got a strikeout to end the inning. A fly out to center started the top of the fifth. Peden hit a hard hit ball down the left field line for a double. Wilkerson reached on an error. A. Miller hit a single to left to score Peden. Cornell hit a single to left to score Wilkerson. Skarke hit into a called infield fly for out two. A strikeout sent the Mustangs back on the field. The Mustangs got three up three down in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of a strikeout, a fly out caught by Nichols, and a put out from Peden to A. Miller. Two outs came quickly in the top of the sixth on a strikeout and a pop up to the pitcher. Monteiro came to the plate and hit a single up the middle. Peden hit a single to left. To continue on the two out rally, Wilkerson hit a single to left to score Monteiro. A strikeout retired the side before any more runs were able to cross. A walk started the bottom of the sixth. A put out from Wilkerson to A. Miller got out number one. A sac bunt got the out from B. Miller to Wilkerson. A double to left scored a run. A single up the middle scored another run for Booker. A pop up caught by Peden ended the inning. The Mustangs couldn't generate anymore offense and went down on a fly out to center, a strikeout, and a ground out. The Mustangs lost 7-9. A. Miller had one strikeout on the day and B. Miller had seven. Cornell lead all hitting going 3 for 4. Hitting doubles for the Mustangs were Peden, Wilkerson, Cornell, and B. Miller.

Mustangs can't recover against WT

The Mustangs traveled to Stinnett to take on West Texas High on Tuesday, April 19. It was probably the nicest day for baseball we've had all year. Manny Monteiro started the game off with a single to left. A fly out to center got the first out. A strikeout and a caught pop up foul ball retired the side. Seth Skarke started on the mound for the Mustangs with Monteiro behind the plate. A strikeout got the first batter out. A put out was made on the next batter from Skarke to Austin Miller. An error allowed the next batter to get on the bases. A walk had two runners on. The hitter hit a ground ball to Tyler Peden who fielded it and made the out at third to Bradley Cornell. The Mustangs couldn't get any offense started going down with a two fly outs and a put out in the top of the second. A single got the first batter on in the bottom of the second. A walk put another batter on the bases. A passed ball allowed a runner to score. Another walk put a batter on and another passed ball brought in another run. The next batter also reached on a walk before a double to center was hit scoring two more. A hit by pitch got the next batter on the bases before the Mustangs got the first out with a fly out caught by Brady Miller. An error allowed the next batter to reach the bases and a run to score. A hit by pitch put another batter on to load the bases. A fielder's choice allowed Peden to make an out to Cornell, but another run scored. Skarke got the last out with a strikeout to end the inning. The top of the third for the Mustangs was much like the other two. A strikeout, a fly out, and a put out had the Mustangs go three up three down. The bottom of the third started with an error for a batter to reach. A foul ball was caught by Monteiro for out number one. A passed ball allowed a runner to score. The next batter had a single to right. A. Miller made a put out fielding the ball for out two. The next batter was hit by the pitch. B. Miller then took over on the mound. B. Miller got a strikeout to end the inning. Peden started the top of the fourth off with a double to left center. Tate Wilkerson then hit a single to left. A. Miller hit into a double play, but Peden was able to score. A put out retired the side before any more offense could happen. The bottom of the fourth started with a strikeout from B. Miller. A walk put the next batter on. An error allowed another batter to reach. A single to center with an error allowed another Comanche to score. B. Miller fought back and got two more strikeouts to send the Mustangs in to the dugout. The top of the fifth started off with a strikeout. Brandon Nichols drew a base on balls to get on the bags. Another strikeout got out number two. B. Miller came to the plate and hit a double to right center to score Nichols. A pop up to second retired the side. A put out from Wilkerson to A. Miller started off the bottom of the fifth. The next batter reached on a walk. A fielder's choice had Peden throwing to Wilkerson at second for out number two. A single to center allowed another run to score. The next batter reached on a bad call by the umpire. A wild pitch brought in another run. A pop up caught by Cornell ended the inning. The top of the sixth started with Peden drawing a base on balls. Wilkerson then rocked a hit to left center for a double that scored Peden. A. Miller the crushed a double to left to score Wilkerson. Two pop ups to third got two quick outs. Nichols then came to the plate and hit a double to left to score A. Miller. A pop up to sixth retired the side. The bottom of the sixth started with a fly out to center caught by Skarke. A walk got a batter on the bases. A pop up caught by Peden got out number two. An error allowed another batter to reach, and then a single to center allowed two runs to score. A put out from Peden to A. Miller ended the inning. A new pitcher took over in the top of the seventh. A strikeout got out number one. Monteiro hit a single to left to get on. Peden took a hit by pitch to have two runners on. A rally just wasn't in the cards though and the Mustangs got their last two outs with a fly out and a strikeout. The Mustangs lost 5-12. Skarke had two strikeouts and B. Miller had four. Hitting doubles for the Mustangs were Peden, Wilkerson, A. Miller, Nichols, and B. Miller.

Athlete of the Week

Senior Austin Miller was named this week's Amarillo Globe News Athlete of the Week. Austin threw a no-hitter last Tuesday, and then won the Area discus on Wednesday. Austin had nine strikeouts in the win over Boys Ranch, then he threw the discus 133 feet 10 inches to earn a spot in the Region 1 - 1A Meet on May 2 in Levelland. Awesome job Austin! Good luck on the rest of your senior year.

Mustangs play solid to beat Boys Ranch

The Mustangs traveled to Boys Ranch yesterday to take on the Rough Riders. It was windy out, but Boys Ranch's field sits in a hole so the wind was not a huge factor in the game. The first didn't start out great for the Mustangs at the plate. Two strikeouts had the first two outs of the game. Tate Wilkerson hit a single to left to get on, but another strikeout retired the side. Austin Miller started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. The Mustangs got three up three down. Outs came courtesy of a fly out caught by Brady Miller, a pop up caught by Wilkerson, and a strikeout from A. Miller. The top of the second started with a pop up caught by the short stop. Seth Skarke and Jeffrey Tyree both drew a base on balls to have two on. They were left stranded by a strikeout and a put out from the pitcher. A. Miller started the bottom of the second with a strikeout. The next batter took a hit by pitch. On a fielder's choice, Tyler Peden made the force out at second to have two outs. A walk allowed another batter to reach, but A. Miller left the runners where they were getting a strikeout. Monteiro started the to of the third with a single in the infield. Peden hit into a fielder's choice that had him out at first. Wilkerson hit another single to short center to have runners on the corners. A strikeout got out number two. Bradley Cornell then rocked a single to left to score Monteiro and Wilkerson. It probably would have been a double but Coach Watts noticed that Cornell had missed first base and he wisely called him back. A put out by the third baseman retired the side. A. Miller started with a strikeout in the bottom of the third. A walk got the next batter on. On an error to pick off the runner, the runner advanced to third. On a fielder's choice, Wilkerson made a put out to Skarke, but a run scored. A fly out caught by B. Miller ended the inning. A strikeout started the top of the fourth. An error allowed Hughes to reach the bases. Another strikeout got out number two. Monteiro hit a single to right to score Hughes. The right fielder tried to throw out Hughes at home, so Monteiro tried to take second. He was thrown out by the catcher at second for out number three. A hit by pitch got a batter on in the bottom of the fourth. The runner tried to steal second, but Monteiro threw him out on a throw to Peden. A walk got a runner on. The next batter hit a line drive that Skarke reached up and snagged. Skarke then stepped on his base for the double play. The Mustangs didn't get anything going in the top of the fifth. A put out, a fly out, and a strikeout sent the Mustangs back on the field. The Mustangs had another three up, three down inning. A. Miller made a put out to Skarke, which he followed with two strikeouts to end the inning. The top of the sixth started with Cornell getting robbed of a hit when the short stop made a diving catch. Skarke hit a single to left. Brandon Nichols came into the game and hit a single to right. On some confusion by the Rough Riders, Skarke was able to steal home. Hughes then hit a single to center to score Nichols. B. Miller put the bunt down and ran out the throw for a single. Monteiro hit into a fielder's choice that had Hughes out at third. Peden drew a base on balls to load the bases. B. Miller went home on a passed ball, followed by Monteiro who also scored on a passed ball. Boys Ranch made a pitching change that was followed with a strikeout to retire the sides. A fly out to B. Miller started the bottom of the sixth. A walk put a batter on the bases, before A. Miller came back with two strikeouts to end the inning. To start the top of the seventh, A. Miller drew a walk to get on the bags. Cornell came to the plate and hit a double to left to score A. Miller. Skarke hit into a fielder's choice, but Cornell was able to score. A strikeout and a put out took us to the bottom of the seventh. A hard grounder was hit into right field, that usually results in a single. However, Nichols made a great play coming in hard and making the throw to Skarke to throw out the batter at first. It was awesome! I though Coach Green was going to run out to right and hug him. Cornell made the next out on a throw to Skarke. An error allowed the next batter to get on, before A. Miller ended the game on a strikeout. The Mustangs won 9-1. The boys played a great game pretty much all the way around. A. Miller went the distance throwing a complete game and a no-hitter! He had nine strikeouts on the day. Outstanding job Austin. The Mustangs hit pretty well, with Cornell hitting a double in the game. The Mustangs will next be in action on April 19 in Stinnett against West Texas High. Good luck guys!!!

Mustang JV loses close one to WT JV

The Mustang JV played West Texas' JV on Saturday. The wind had been bad in the first game, but it was awful during the second game. Bradley Cornell started on the mound with Tate Wilkerson behind the plate. WT started off with a double. The Mustangs recorded the first out on a fly out to Brandon Nichols. The runner went to third on a past ball and the throw down wasn't caught, which allowed the runner to score. A walk got another runner on, before Cornell came back with a strikeout. An error allowed another batter to reach, but Cornell got another strikeout to retire the side. Following two strikeouts in the bottom of the first, Tyson Garner hit a double. With errors after the hit, Garner was able to score. Another strikeout ended the inning. The top of the second started off with a batter reaching on an error. The next batter hit a triple to center to score a run. Cornell got a strikeout on the next batter. The third strike was dropped, but Wilkerson made the throw down to first for the out. The next batter had a sacrifice fly that was caught by Nichols, a run scored. A walk allowed a batter on the bases before Cornell got another strikeout to retire the side. The bottom of the second started with a put out from the pitcher. Jacob Reyes got a single past the short stop to get on. Cornell also hit a single to have two on the bases. A strikeout and a fly out got the next outs stopping the Mustangs from scoring. Garner came in to pitch in the top of the third, and Cornell moved behind the plate. A single up the middle got the first batter on. Garner got a strikeout for out number one. The next batter hit a single up the middle to have runners at the corners. An error allowed the runner on third to score. Another error allowed another batter to reach first. A walk loaded the bases. Garner came back with a strikeout for out number two. Another walk allowed a run to walk in, and the bases remained loaded. A hit by pitch walked another run in. Brandon Nichols then took over on the mound. An error allowed another run to cross the plate. A double hit by the next batter, brought in three runs. Reyes tagged out the next batter for out number three. A new pitcher started on the mound in the bottom of the third. Jeremiah Hughes started off with a single to past short. Preston Belfield hit a single to score Hughes. Garner hit a single up the middle to score Belfield. A fielder's choice hit by Jesse Mullins got him out at first, but Garner was able to score. Brandon Sims hit a single to right to reach the bases. Reyes drew a walk to get on the bags. Cornell hit a single to right that scored Sims. An error allowed Nichols to reach and Reyes to score. Wilkerson drew a base on balls. Cornell tried to steal home and was thrown out at home for out number two. Hughes hit a single to left that scored Nichols. Belfield hit a single to left that scored Wilkerson. Garner hit a single past second to score Hughes and Belfield. Mullins hit a single to left to score Garner. A strikeout ended that inning. An error allowed a batter to reach in the top of the fourth. A walk had two batters on. Nichols came back with a strikeout for out number one. A hit by pitch loaded the bases before a single to left, with errors allowed three runs to score. Nichols came back with another strikeout for out two. A walk had runners at the corners. Wilkerson came in to pitch. A single to right center scored two runs. A walk put another batter on the bases. The runner on third was then picked off with a throw from Wilkerson to Nichols for out number three. Reyes started off the bottom of the fourth with a single to left. Cornell hit into a fielder's choice that had Reyes out at second. Nichols hit a double to left center to score Cornell. A pop up to short got the second out and with some confusion about the number of outs, Nichols was doubled off to end the game. The Mustangs lost 12-15. The Mustangs had 14 hits in the game. Cornell had 4 strikeouts, Garner had 2 and Nichols had 2 strikeouts. Hitting doubles for the Mustangs were Garner and Nichols. The Mustangs also had 12 RBIs. I believe Coach Green is going to have them play again when we go to Stinnett Tuesday, April 19.

Mustangs rally late, but WT edges them out

The Mustangs took on West Texas High, Saturday for a windy day of baseball. Emphasis on the windy!!! Austin Miller started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. Things started off rough for the Mustangs. Two walks and three errors allowed four runs to cross the plate before the Mustangs got their first out on a put out from Bradley Cornell to Seth Skarke. Two more walks loaded the bases. A. Miller came back with a strikeout, and then Skarke made a force out to get the final out and retire the sides. Monteiro started at the plate ripping a double to left center. A fielder's choice got the first out. Tate Wilkerson hit a single to left to score Monteiro and get the Mustangs on the board. A. Miller also had a single to shallow center to have two on. A hit ball to short resulted in a double play that halted any more runs from scoring. Two singles started the top of the second for West Texas, with one scoring a run. The runner on second tried to steal third, but he was thrown out by Monteiro to Cornell. A walk allowed another batter to reach the bases. Skarke then took over on the mound. A single got runners on the corners. Trying to pick off the bases runner on first, the runner on third was able to score on the dropped ball at home. Skarke came back and got two strikeouts to send the Mustangs off the field. The bottom of the second started with a put out. Brandon Nichols hit a single to left. Skarke then hit a single to center that the center fielder missed allowing Nichols to score and Skarke to reach second. However, a pop up to short and a strikeout ended the inning. The top of the third started with a strikeout from Skarke. Two singles allowed batters to reach, with one scoring. An error allowed another batter to get on the bags. In a pick off, the runner on first was thrown out from A. Miller to Wilkerson, but another WT run scored. A put out from Tyler Peden to Skarke got the final out to retire the side. The bottom of the third began with a put out. Wilkerson struck out at the plate, but on a dropped third strike he was safe at first. A. Miller came to the plate and knocked a double to center wall to score Wilkerson. A put out got the second out before Jeffrey Tyree hit a single to left to score A. Miller. Nichols hit a single to left, and that was followed by a single to right from Skarke. Tyree was trying to get home, but the right fielder hurled the ball in to get Tyree out at the plate and end the inning. A walk, a dropped third strike, and a hit by pitch started the top of the fourth. The next batter put down a bunt, a throw was made to third but the ump said that Cornell's foot was not on the bag...please. Anyway, all runners were safe with a run scoring. The next batter hit a line drive that A. Miller caught and then he stepped on his bag for a double play. A walk loaded the bases, but A. Miller came through again catching a pop up to get the third out. Brady Miller hit a single to left to start the bottom of the fourth. Monteiro hit a single to right to have two on. A strikeout got the first out, that was followed by B. Miller getting picked off at second. A fly out to right ended the inning. A put out from Peden to A. Miller got the first out in the top of the fifth. A hit by pitch allowed a batter to reach. A fielder's choice allowed Wilkerson to get a force out at second for out number two. A single to left was then hit and the ball rolled past the fielder to allow another run to score. Skarke came back with a strikeout to retire the side. A put out started the bottom of the fifth for the Mustangs. Back to back errors allowed Cornell and Tyree to reach the bases. A single to left from Nichols scored Cornell. Skarke hit a single to right to score Tyree. B. Miller hit into a fielder's choice, but Nichols made a great jump on the ball to score and everyone was safe. Monteiro also hit into a fielder's choice, but this time Skarke was forced out at third for out two. Peden drew a walk to reach the bags. Wilkerson then hit a single to left to score B. Miller and Monteiro. A strikeout ended the inning, but the Mustangs had a great rally. Skarke started the top of the sixth off with a strikeout. An error allowed a batter to reach, but Skarke got two more strikeouts to send the Mustangs back to the bats. The bottom of the sixth started with a hard hit line drive that was caught by the second baseman, and a fly out to left. Nichols hit a double to try a rally on two, but a strikeout ended the inning. A put out from Wilkerson to A. Miller started the top of the seventh. An error allowed a runner to reach. A put out from Cornell to A. Miller had out number two for the Mustangs. A single to left had two runners on. An error then allowed a run score. A single to right allowed two more runners to score. Wilkerson then came in to pitch, getting a strikeout for the final out. B. Miller reached in the bottom of the seventh on an error, but Monteiro hit into a fielder's choice getting B. Miller out at second. Two fly outs ended the game. The Mustangs lost 9-13. The boys had a great game at the plate, but defensively there were too many errors allowed. The pitcher's did another great job on the mound. A. Miller and Wilkerson each had a strikeout, and Skarke racked up 8 strikeouts. Nichols went 4 for 4 at the plate, hitting three singles and a double. Skarke followed going 3 for 4 with three singles. Hitting doubles for the Mustangs were Monteiro, A. Miller, and Nichols. The boys never gave up in the game, and they should be proud of that. The Mustangs travel to Boys Ranch today to take on the Rough Riders. Good luck guys!

Mustangs beat Boys Ranch

The Mustangs were visited by the Rough Riders from Boys Ranch yesterday for another district match-up. Seth Skarke started on the mound for the Mustangs with Brady Baggett behind the plate. The first batter hit a ball to Tyler Peden who threw him out with a throw Austin Miller. Skarke got a strikeout for out number two. A batter reached on a walk, before Peden hustled to make a great catch on a pop up to give the Mustangs there first at bat. Manny Monteiro started things off for the Mustangs hitting a single to left field. During Peden's at bat, Monteiro stole second but the ump said Peden interfered with the catcher (even though Peden has a right to batters box). So Monteiro was called out. Peden then reached on an error. A strikeout and a put out ended the inning. The top of the second started with a batter reaching on a hit by pitch. Bradley Cornell got the next batter out catching a pop up. A couple of errors allowed a runner to score. A walk got another runner on, followed by another error to have two on the bases. The next batter hit back to Skarke who made the throw to Cornell at third to get the lead runner. The ump called him out, and then decided maybe Cornell's foot wasn't on the bag and then called the kid safe. Meanwhile, a throw had rolled past A. Miller, and the runner who was out and then safe (was really out) was safe at home. Skarke came right back with a strikeout for out two. The next batter hit a double to left to score two more runs for the Rough Riders. Once again Skarke fought back and retired the sides on a strikeout. Cornell started the bottom of the second off with a double to center. A. Miller then hit a single to center to score Cornell. The center fielder was unable to field the ball and it rolled past him allowing A. Miller to score. Brandon Nichols drew a base on balls. Skarke put a sacrifice bunt down to move Nichols. Brady Miller reached the bases on an error by the third baseman. On the error, Nichols made a heads up move to score. Monteiro drew a walk to reach. Peden then hit a single behind the second baseman to load the bases. Tate Wilkerson came to the plate and hit a single to center to score B. Miller and Monteiro. Peden attempted to steal third, which he did, but the ump couldn't see that his foot was on third before the tag was made, and he was called out. A put out got out number three. An error started the top of the third. Cornell made a put out on the next batter with a throw to A. Miller. A walk allowed another runner on before Skarke got another strikeout and Wilkerson made a put out to A. Miller. Cornell started at the plate again in the bottom of the third. Once again he nailed a ball to left center for a double. A. Miller and Nichols both drew walks to load the bases. Boys Ranch then made a pitching change. Skarke was first to face the new pitcher and he hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Cornell. Monteiro reached on an error, that also scored Nichols and A. Miller. Peden drew the walk. Wilkerson then hit a single just past the left side infield to score B. Miller. A passed ball on the next batter allowed Monteiro to steal home, and the other runners to advance a base. Baggett got on the bases taking a hit by pitch. Boys Ranch made another pitching change. A strikeout got the second out. A. Miller and Nichols both took walks to walk in runs. Skarke then rocked a ball to left for a double that scored Baggett, A. Miller, and Nichols. B. Miller took a base on balls. Skarke stole home to put another run on the board. B. Miller scored on an error, and then Monteiro hit a single to center that with errors allowed him to cross home plate. A put out ended the inning. A walk started off the top of the fourth. Skarke came back with a strikeout for out number one. Another walk got the next batter on the bases. That would be it for Skarke, who did a great job on the mound. Wilkerson came in to pitch. The next batter was walked to load the bases. Wilkerson came back strong though, and struck the next two batters out leaving the bases loaded. A new pitcher started on the mound for Boys Ranch. Wilkerson reached on a base on balls to start the bottom of the fourth. Brandon Sims came in to run for Wilkerson. A strikeout got out number one. Cornell was walked to reach the bags. Sims was thrown out at third while trying to steal. A. Miller and Tyson Garner both drew base on balls to lad the bases. Skarke then came to the plate and crushed another ball for a double that scored Cornell and A. Miller. Jacob Reyes came in and drew a bases on balls. Boys Ranch then made another pitching change. A strikeout ended the inning. Wilkerson came out firing in the top of the fifth. He struck out all three batters to end the game. The Mustangs won 20-4. Things started off a bit shaky, but the Mustangs came through to finish strong. Skarke and Wilkerson both did a great job on the mound. Both earned five strikeouts a piece and they only allowed one hit. Cornell and Skarke both went two for four, with each hitting two doubles. Great job guys! The Mustangs are now 3-1 in district. The Mustangs will next take on the West Texas High Comanches in Claude on Saturday, April 9 at 11:00. Good luck guys!

Mustangs lose first district game

The Mustangs traveled to Follett last Friday (April 1) to take on the Panthers. Follett has been named the team to beat from our district this year, and they proved to be tough. I was out of town Friday, so I wasn't able to go to the game. Therefore, I can't really give a play by play of this game. Brady Baggett started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. Seth Skarke and Tate Wilkerson also pitched in the game. Baggett and Skarke each had two strikeouts. Wilkerson hit a double for the Mustangs. From what I've gathered from Coach Green the boys made contact with the ball, we just hit it where they were. Defensively there were too many errors for the Mustangs to hold down the Panthers. The Mustangs dropped their first district game 3-13. Hopefully we can get Follett at home on April 29.