The Varsity Warhorses took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning and scored four runs in the bottom of the 6th to beat the Lytle Pirates 9-4 and finish as undefeated District 29-4A champions.
Lytle scored first, plating one run in the top of the 3rd inning thanks to back-to-back walks, a stolen base, and a single.
The Warhorses responded immediately, scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Dalton Kramer singled and advanced to second on Kyler Brown’s ground out. Dillon Ricord walked, and after Kramer was picked off for the second out of the inning, Newt Crouch and Jack Zimmerle drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Richie Long stepped to the plate and accounted for both of Devine’s runs, smacking a line drive single to center to drive in Ricord and Crouch for a 2-1 lead.
Devine scored three more times in the bottom of the 4th inning. Kramer hit a two-out single to right and took third on Brown’s single to center before scoring on Ricord’s line drive single to center. Crouch knocked in Brown with a fly ball single to center, and Ricord later scored on a passed ball to put Devine up 5-1.
The Pirates added another run in the top of the 5th inning, and scored two more in the top of the 6th inning thanks to consecutive walks, a single, and a passed ball to cut the Warhorses’ lead to 5-4.
Devine put the game away with a big bottom of the 6th inning. Ricord led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, Crouch walked, and Zimmerle reached on an error that also allowed Ricord to score. Long doubled to left field to drive in Crouch and Zimmerle, and Corben Boggs singled to left to knock in Long for the 9-4 win.
The Warhorses belted 11 hits, drew eight walks, and left eight runners on base. Lytle had six hits, four walks, and left five on base. Devine played error-free ball, while the Pirates committed three errors.
Batting: Ricord 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SB; Crouch 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB; Zimmerle 1-2, 2 BB; Long 2-4, 4 RBI; Boggs 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB; Solis 1-4; Connor Schmidt 1-3, 1 BB; Kramer 2-3, 1 BB; Brown 1-3.
Pitching: Ricord 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts; Solis 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts; Boggs 1.0 IP, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer