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!