It was high times for a new generation of Rockdale baseball, with the Tigers ending their 2021 season with a 6-1 victory in Lexington, a game where freshman Mason Willard struck out nine and allowed only two hits in six innings pitched.
“I’m really proud of him,” Hooser said. “We had five guys on base all night. He really controlled the game and knew when to take himself out. I was actually going to give him a chance to finish it.”
In addition to their defensive effort, the Blue-and-Gold were aggressive at the plate, racking up all six of their runs in the second, third and fourth and getting 12 total hits.
Tra’on Crawford, Zakori Yanes and Willard led from the batter’s box with two hits each and Drayton Castaneda, Jesus Bocanegra, Bruce Mayfield, Tyler Stewart, Blaydn Barcak and Cruz San Migel each had one hit.
Castaneda also closed out his final high school game striking out one batter in the final inning.
Despite finishing with a 5-7 record in District 19-3A and missing out on the post-season, Hooser was happy with how the season ended.
“I’m really proud of the way we played the last six games or so,” Hooser said. “We’ve improved. The coaches have seen it. We’ve matured and we were right there in a lot of the games and we were a couple of wins away from being in that final playoff spot.”
“I’m just really proud of the way these young guys matured and battled this year,” he added.
Hooser also said the Tigers, who have seven starters returning next season, including juniors Crawford and Yanes and freshmen Willard, Bocanegra, San Migel, Barcak and Mario Casarez, have a lot to look forward to in the future.
“The best thing about these guys is that we never looked like we didn’t belong out there,” Hooser said. “With some physical maturity and some game maturity, they’re only going to get better.”
“And we’re pretty stinkin’ good now but in a couple years, I think we’re going to be something really special,” he said.
This was the final game for seniors Enrique Rivera, Mayfield and Castaneda.
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