Mustangs hold off Booker to advance to Play-offs

The Mustangs traveled to Stinnett on Saturday, to take on the Booker Kiowas to decide who takes the third spot for play-offs. The Mustangs got to be the home team off of the coin flip. Seth Skarke started on the mound with Manny Monteiro behind the plate. Two walks started off the game to have two runners on the bases. Skarke came back though, and struck out the next three batters. The bottom of the first started with a first pitch pop up caught by the catcher. A line out and a fly out quickly retired the Mustangs. A walk started the top of the second. A single had runners at first and second. Another walk loaded the bases. Skarke came back and got a strikeout for out number one. The next batter reached on an error that allowed two runners to score. Two strikeouts got the final two outs. The bottom of the second started with a strikeout. A ground out got the second out. Skarke was able to reach the bases on an error, but a put out got the final out to end the inning. The Mustang defense got three up three down in the top of the third. A ground out from Tate Wilkerson to Austin Miller got out number one. Two strikeout from Skarke retired the side. The Mustangs had a hard time getting any offense going. The bottom of the third had the Mustangs going down on a strikeout, a line out, and a ground out to end the inning. The Mustangs played some more good defense in the top of the fourth. A strikeout and a ground out from Wilkerson to A. Miller got the first two outs. A hit by pitch put a runner on the bases before a A. Miller made a put out to send the Mustangs in to the dug out. Tyler Peden started the bottom of the fourth by reaching on an error. Wilkerson got a single to center, but Peden was thrown out at second from the center fielder. A. Miller hit a single to left to have two on. A pop up to the short stop got out number two. Skarke hit a double down the third base line for a double to score Wilkerson. Brandon Nichols drew a base on balls to load the bases. A ground out got the third out before anymore runs could cross the plate. The top of the fifth started with a strikeout. The next batter hit a single to left. A put out made by A. Miller got out number two. An error allowed a runner to score. A put out made from Wilkerson to A. Miller retired the side. Brady Miller started the bottom of the fifth off with a bunt for a single. A ground out got out number one. Peden drew a base on balls to have two on. Wilkerson reached the bases on a fielder's choice, that had Peden out at second. A passed ball allowed B. Miller to score. A strikeout ended the inning for the Mustangs. A double started the top of the sixth for Booker. An error allowed the next batter to reach and the runner on to score. The next batter hit towards first, Skarke made a great play diving to get the runner out. The next batter struck out for out number two. On an attempt to pick off a runner at third, the ball went to the fence and another run scored. A put out from Peden to A. Miller sent the Mustangs to hit. The Mustangs had a big sixth inning with the bats. Bradley Cornell got things started by reaching on an error. A pop up to short got out number one. Nichols reached on a fielder's choice that had everyone safe as the second baseman dropped the ball. Jeremiah Hughes came up with a big hit to left center for a double that scored Cornell. B. Miller drew a base on balls to have the bases loaded. Monteiro reached on a fielder's choice that had Nichols out at home for out number two. With the bases still loaded, Peden worked the count and got an RBI on the walk to score Hughes. Wilkerson then stepped to the plate and got a huge hit to left for a double that scored B. Miller, Monteiro, and Peden. A. Miller also got a huge hit to left center for a double that scored Wilkerson. Booker made a pitching change and then Cornell came back up and reached on an error. A. Miller was able to score on a passed ball before a fly out to left ended the inning. The Mustangs needed three outs and to not give up four runs. Wilkerson took over on the mound. A walk started the top of the seventh. A fly out to center caught by B. Miller recorded the first out. A passed ball brought in a Kiowa runner. A single to left had another batter on the bags. Wilkerson followed with a strikeout for out number two. A fly ball hit to right center was almost caught by Hughes who made a great attempt at it, but the ball dropped a run scored. A walk put another runner on the bases. In an attempt to throw out the runner at third the ball went to the fence and another run scored for Booker. The next batter reached on an error that allowed yet another run to cross the plate. A walk had two on the bags, before Monteiro made a great catch on a pop up. The score was now tied 9-9 and the Mustangs were up to bat. Nichols got things going in the bottom of the seventh by taking a base on balls. Hughes hit into a fielder's choice that had Nichols out at second. B. Miller came up with a great hit to left for a double that had runners at third and second with one out. Monteiro came to the plate and hit a ball to the short stop. The short stop made an error that allowed Hughes to score for the Mustang win. The Mustangs won 10-9 to advance to the play-offs. Skarke had 11 strikeouts on the day and Wilkerson contributed one. The Mustangs came up with hits at great times. Hitting doubles were Wilkerson, A. Miller, Skarke, Hughes, and B. Miller. The Mustangs will be taking on the Lockney Longhorns in a bi-district match-up. The boys will start play Friday at 5:30 at Caprock stadium in Amarillo. The boys will then play Saturday starting at 1:00 at Caprock in Amarillo. Good luck guys!!!