Overcoming a five-game losing streak with a bang, Rockdale baseball took down Florence, 19-0 on Friday night at Tiger Field.
The Blue-and-Gold got up early, leading 3-0 at the end of the second, but put up 11 runs in the third to go up 14-0. The Tigers scored another five in the fourth inning and “run-ruled” the Buffs to end the game after five complete innings.
RHS was led by sophomore Mario Casarez, who was four-for-four at the plate with two doubles and three runs batted in. Jesus Bocanegra had two hits and Tyler Stewart, Devin Muston and Mason Willard each had one.
“They can hit the ball well, we made plays and made some mistakes, but didn’t let it compound into something worse,” RHS baseball coach John Hooser said. “We didn’t have that big inning where we gave them any kind of life.”
“That had a lot do with Mason Willard on the mound, he controlled the game from the beginning. Cruz San Migel called a great game from behind the plate and we backed them up with run support,” he added. “It just feels good to be back on the ‘W’ side of things after a five-game losing streak.”
Hooser also took time to talk about the potential of his team.
“We’re right there with anybody in this district,” he said. “We need to make plays when we need to and execute. We can compete and be in games during the late innings.”
LADY TIGERS—On the other side of Tiger Stadium parking lot, Lady Tiger softball was dueling with Florence.
The Lady Buffaloes went up early, scoring four runs in their opening at bat and led 5-2 over RHS until the top of the third inning, when hits from Laylee Lankford, Salome Cardona and Olivia Rubio drove in four runs to put the Blue-and-Gold ahead 6-5.
RHS added another two runs in the fourth to make it 8-5 but couldn’t overcome a late surge by the Williamson County squad. Florence racked up six runs in the seventh inning to take the game, 14-9.
Cardona and Izabella Delgadillo led the Lady Tigers at the plate with two hits, including a double in the third from Cardona. Lankford, Rubio, McKena Lopez and Jacie Hartley each had hits for Rockdale as well.
Rubio led from the mound, throwing for five innings and striking out four. Cardona also pitched for RHS, striking out one and walking one in two innings thrown.
THIS WEEK—Due to anticipated bad weather on Tuesday, the Lady Tigers played in Academy on Monday, where they fell to the Lady Bees, 16-1. Delgadillo and Chloe
Delgadillo and Chloe Buegeler led the Blue-and-Gold with one hit apiece.
Rockdale has the rest of the week off and returns to action on Tuesday, when they host Rogers for senior night.
The ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Play will begin at 6.
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