The Ropes Eagles faced off against the Sudan Hornets in the Bi-District Round of the 2A Division 2 baseball playoffs this past Wednesday night at Lockney High School, resulting in the Eagles sweeping them in the best-of-three series to secure the Bi-District Championship.
In game one, Ropes got a 10-1 run-rule win in five innings. Sudan scored their lone run in the first inning before Ropes scored four runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning and five runs in the fourth inning.
In the team statistics, the Eagles bested the Hornets 9-2 in hits, 4-2 in walks and 1-3 in errors committed.
Ropes’ standouts at the plate included Zach Ramirez going 2/2 with two runsbatted-in, Garland Higginbotham going 1/2 with two RBIs, a run scored, a double and a walk, Ryland Kieth going 1/2 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base, Maddux Sierra going 1/3 with an RBI and a run scored, Elijah Flores going ½ with an RBI, a double and a walk, and Radley Partington with an RBI, a run scored and a walk.
Flores got the start on the mound in game one, pitching four innings, surrendering zero earned runs on two hits and two walks. He’d be relieved by Cutter Stumbo, who pitched a scoreless inning while striking out the side.
In game two, Ropes earned another run-rule vic- tory, winning 12-1 in five innings. The Eagles scored one run in the first inning and 10 runs in the third inning. Sudan would add their only run in the fourth inning to which Ropes responded to with a run of their own in the fifth inning.
In the team statistics, Ropes bested Sudan 10-4 in hits, 7-1 in walks and 2-3 in errors committed.
The Eagles’ standouts at the plate in game two included Kade Franklin going 2/4 with four RBIs, a run scored and a double, Jaivyth Cruz going 2/2 with two RBIs, two doubles, a run scored and a walk, Kieth going 2/2 with three runs scored, three stolen bases, an RBI and a walk, Sierra with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base, Flores going 1/3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk, and Cason Kucel with an RBI, a run scored and a walk.
Franklin would get the start on the mound in game two, pitching four innings and surrendering zero earned runs on two hits while striking out seven batters. Stumbo would enter in relief again, tossing a scoreless inning to close the game.
The pair of wins improved the Eagles to 25-5 overall and secured the Bi-District Championship, an effort Ropes Head Baseball Coach Nathan Flores reflected on.
“Our boys played a great series and leaned on each other through both games. Our bottom half of our lineup came through for us and allowed our top half to get back in rhythm,” Coach Flores said. “I was proud of how we played as a team and all aspects of our game complimented each other well. We’ve got a lot of baseball to play and I’m excited for what we can do if we stay true to ourselves and to the game-plan we have moving forward.”
The Eagles return to play this weekend for an Area Round series against West Texas. Game one is on Friday at 6 p.m.; game two is on Saturday at 2 p.m. and if necessary, game three will follow 30 minutes after game two, all of which will be played at Plainview High School.
(Photo provided by Ropes ISD)