Senior pitcher Dillon Ricord threw a gem against an overmatched Carrizo Springs squad, and the Warhorse bats were on fire in a 15-0 win over the Wildcats last Tuesday, March 21.
Devine jumped out to a quick start and led all the way, putting up runs in four of the five innings played.
The first four runs came in the top of the 1st inning, which leadoff hitter Ricord got started with a walk. After stealing second and taking third on an error, Ricord scored on a passed ball. Richie Long’s sharp grounder to shortstop drew an error that allowed him to reach base, Corbin Boggs walked, and Isaac Solis singled to drive in Long for a 2-0 lead.
Connor Schmidt drew a two-out walk to load the bases, Boggs crossed the plate on a passed ball, and Oropeza scored on an error by the Wildcat catcher to put Devine up 4-0.
Carrizo Springs’ sole hit of the game came in the bottom of the 1st inning, but despite also drawing a walk, the Wildcats weren’t able to muster any runs.
The Warhorses struck for three more runs in the top of the 2nd inning.
Kyler Brown led things off with a single to right, Ricord walked, and Newt Crouch reached on an error by Carrizo Springs’ second baseman that also allowed Brown to score. Consecutive sacrifice flies to center field by Jack Zimmerle and Long knocked in Ricord and Crouch for a 7-0 lead.
Another run came in the top of the 3rd inning when Dalton Kramer smacked a one-out double to right field and scored on an error by the Wildcats’ shortstop.
Devine finished the game off by batting around and hanging seven runs in the top of the 5th inning.
Brown and Ricord hit back-to-back singles to start things off, and both came around to score after an error by the Wildcat left fielder. Crouch walked, Zimmerle doubled to left, and Long, Boggs, and Isaac Solis drew consecutive walks to force in Crouch and Zimmerle. Boggs scored on Kramer’s one-out sacrifice fly to right, Brown walked to load the bases, and Ricord singled to left to knock in Solis to put Devine up 15-0.
The Warhorses balanced aggressiveness and patience, bashing 10 hits while also drawing nine walks. Eight runners were left on base.
Ricord was in complete command on the mound, giving up a single hit and just two walks in five innings of work. He also recorded a whopping 12 strikeouts.
Batting: Ricord 3-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB; Crouch 0-4, 1 BB; Zimmerle 1-2, 1 RBI; Long 0-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB; Boggs 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB; Solis 2-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB; Schmidt 0-2, 1 BB; Jerrod Taylor 0-1; Kramer 1-3, 1 RBI; Brown 2-3, 1 BB, 1 SB.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer