Going into Friday night’s game with Rogers at Tiger Field, the Blue-and-Gold expected a talented opponent, especially since the Eagles run-ruled Florence and Lexington in their first two district games and were coming off a 6-2 win over Academy, a team that runruled Rockdale last Friday.
Despite Rogers getting hot mid-game with two runs in the fourth and a six-run back-breaker in the fifth, the Tigers battled back with three in the bottom of the fifth. The game came down to the final pitch with the bases loaded for an 8-3 loss.
“I’m pretty proud of these guys and the way they competed today,” said John Hooser, RHS head baseball coach. “That’s one of the top teams in the district right there.”
“We need to hit the baseball when guys are on base, we can’t wait until the middle innings to make something happen (but) Mario (Casarez) led off in the third inning and hit the baseball hard and got it started. It just takes one to get it started,” he said.
Casarez also pitched for the Tigers, striking out four while classmate Mason Willard came in later in the game to strike out two. Both are among the five freshmen starting for RHS this season, who have been tasked with the difficulty of playing in what many high school baseball coaches say is the one of the toughest districts in Class 3A.
“We’re asking a lot of them, being young players and putting a lot of pressure on them being in a very competitive district,” Hooser said. “I think they’re performing well.”
“We just have to get over that hump and get more comfortable competing at this level and I think we’ll be all right,” he said.
GAME—It was tied at zero until the top of the fourth when Eagle Jayce Jones hit a home run over the left field fence. Rogers added another run in the inning with when a Lucas Guzman single brought in Jackson Landeros.
Rogers scored six more runs in the fifth off of hits from Riley Dolgener, R.J. Cook and Logan Hare that brought in multiple players that made it on base due to walks.
However, the Tigers fought back when it was their turn to bat. First, Casarez hit a single which led to a pair of walks to load the bases.
Casarez scored on a Zakori Yanez ground out. Blaydn Barcak scored after tagging up on a Jesus Bocanegra fly ball.
Willard scored on a Tra’on Crawford triple to make the game 8-3.
Rockdale shut down Rogers in their final two at-bats but came up short after loading the bases and striking out on the final at-bat.
THIS WEEK—The Tigers faced Caldwell Tuesday after press time and travel to Cameron Thursday for their first meeting of the season.
As of Tuesday, the Yoemen are 3-0 in district with run-rule wins over Lexington and Florence. Hooser, who saw Cameron play at the West tourney, said they have great camraderie.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
LADY TIGERS—Rockdale’s softball team struggled against Rogers Friday, a team that remains undefeated through their first six district games, taking down the Lady Tigers 15-0.
Emma Whitsel, Mariana Casarez and Jena Locklin each had hits in the game and Haven Jimenez and Brande Breithaupt shared mound duties.
Coach Meghann Infantino’s team was also without Hannah Rodriguez, who was out with a minor injury and is expected to be back later this week.
THIS WEEK—Like the Tigers, the girls also played Caldwell after press time and travel to Cameron Thursday to face the Lady Yoe.
Both teams played on March 9, in the district opener at RHS where the other team from Milam County won 11-1. Game time is 6 p.m.
Coming up...
Tigers at Cameron, 7 p.m.
Lady Tigers at Cameron, 6 p.m.
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