Ro ckda le ba s eba l l opened their season on Monday night at Tiger Field, where they took down Thorndale 4-0 in a defensive battle where the Bulldogs recorded three hits and the Tigers had just two.
RHS jumped ahead early, after junior Mason Willard got on base through an error with two outs. Thorndale starting pitcher Hunter Thigpen then walked Rockdale’s next three batters—Mario Casarez, Tyler Stewart and Stephen Goodrich—which led to Willard scoring. Fellow Tiger junior Blaydn Barcak brought in Casarez and Stewart on a single, increasing the Tiger lead to 3-0. However, Rockdale’s rally was cut short as Goodrich was thrown out at third after Casarez and Stewart made it home.
The Tigers had a little more magic with two outs in the fourth when Jesus Bocanegra beat out a grounder to short. The hit brought in Barcak for Rockdale’s fourth run.
Despite the Blue-and-Gold’s somewhat comfortable lead, the Bulldogs gained some momentum later in the game. In the top of the sixth, Thorndale loaded the bases with one out, but RHS was able to get out of the inning with no runs allowed thanks to Rockdale infielders turning a double play. The Tigers were able to hold on, thanks to strong pitching from Bocanegra late in the game.
Although new head coach and alum Austin Caffey was primarily focused on his team getting better, the former Tiger was also happy his team had discipline at the plate.
“I just wanted to improve in all aspects of the game,” he said. “But we pride ourselves on quality at-bats and that’s what I wanted our mentality to be at the plate, going up there and not having selfish at-bats and to have a team mindset, team approach and that happened.”
Caffey also brought up that his guys got a small number of hits but still got the win.
“In games like this where hits are hard to come by, the quality at-bats are what will help you out and put you on top,” he said.
He also praised his team on defense and brought up how well his freshmen played and that leadership from upperclassmen played a big role in deciding the outcome.
Willard picked up the win with seven strikeouts and allowed one hit in 3.2 innings and Bocanegra struck out five and allowed two hits in 3.1 innings to get the save. Barcak and Bocanegra got the team’s only hits.
THIS WEEK— RHS opens up tournament play this weekend in Schulenburg. The Blue-and-Gold has games scheduled with Burton, Florence, host Sculenburg and Milano.
“We just want to focus on staying locked-in the entire game,” Caffey said. “There’s highs and lows in baseball and that’s just part of it. We have to pride ourselves on staying evenkeeled throughout whether the game is in our favor or in our opposition’s favor.”
THORNDALE— Thigpen, Lance Pesl and Coy Stutts saw the mound for the Bulldogs, throwing a combined seven strikeouts. Tyler Turman had two hits and Stutts had one.
Even though the night ended with Thorndale losing, head coach Kelly Kuhl was impressed with his players and their performance.
“I was proud of our guys,” Kuhl said. “We mishandled a few balls and had some timely walks that cost us but that happens early in the season.”
“Overall, I was proud of our kids,” he added. “With basketball still going on, the guys we had came out and competed and gave us a chance to win.”
The Bulldogs play at the Brentwood Christian Tournament in Austin this weekend.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.