The Sundown Roughnecks played host to the Morton Indians for a district baseball matchup this past Friday, resulting in the Indians winning 19-16 across eight innings to earn their second consecutive win over the Roughnecks.
The Roughnecks led 6-0 after the first inning and 1511 after the third inning, but the Indians would outscore them 8-1 in the final five frames to secure the win.
“I’m proud of the kids they competed well throughout the series,” Morton Head Baseball Coach Jared Thomas said. “We struggled early but brought it back late. I’m super proud of the way we played against a great opponent.”
Morton bested Sundown 15-12 in hits and 14-12 in walks, and the two teams tied at five errors a piece.
Standouts at the plate for the Indians included shortstop Britton Boggs going 3/5 with three runs-battedin, two doubles, a walk and a run scored, left fielder Jesus Agurrie going ¾ with four runs scored, two RBI’s, two walks and a double, catcher Jaeden Alvarado going 2/3 with two RBI’s, two walks, two stolen bases and a double, third baseman Rafael Acevedo going 2/2 with three runs scored, two stolen bases, an RBI and a walk, first baseman EJ Rivas going 2/5 with four runs scored, four stolen bases, two walks, a double and an RBI, and center fielder Brayden Villarreal going ¼ with two RBI’s, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.
On the mound for the Indians, Eder Vasquez pitched two innings, Boggs made an appearance and Alvarado pitched five innings while striking out five batters and only surrendering one earned run.
The win improves the Indians to 3-8 overall and 3-1 in district play, which ties them for third in the 2A District 5 baseball standings. Meanwhile, the loss drops the Roughnecks to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in district play, tying them for fifth in the 2A District 5 standings.
“We did a good job competing,” Sundown Head Baseball Coach Matthew Schovajsa said. “The guys did a good job fighting their way back multiple times. Andrew (Rodriguez) set us up to do it again in the seventh with a leadoff double, but we just fell short. We will continue to stack good days and compete for a playoff spot.”
The Roughnecks competitive nature produced several noteworthy performances at the plate including designated hitter Ollen Pearson going 4/5 with two RBI’s, a run scored and a stolen base, shortstop Ryland Baldwin going 2/2 with four runs scored, two walks and an RBI, center fielder Braiden Lara going 2/4 with two stolen bases, an RBI, a walk and a run scored, right fielder Ryan Pope going 1/3 with two RBI’s, a triple, a walk and a stolen base, second baseman Joey Lopez going ¼ with three runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base, and first baseman Andrew Rodriguez going ½ with three stolen bases, two walks, a double, an RBI and a run scored.
On the mound for the Roughnecks, Jaxon Reynolds pitched 1.1 innings and struck out four batters; Cooper Day recorded two strikeouts; Lopez pitched 4.2 innings and struck out nine batters, and Baldwin recorded an out.
Following the game, both teams begin a new series early in the week, Morton plays at Tahoka and Sundown hosts New Home. Then on Saturday, Morton hosts Tahoka at 11 a.m., and Sundown travels to face New Home at 11 a.m.