The Sundown Roughnecks played host to the Smyer Bobcats for a district baseball matchup this past Tuesday, resulting in the Roughnecks pulling off a 6-5 comeback win in what was a thriller of a game.
The two teams were tied 1-1 through three frames until Smyer scored four answered runs in the fourth inning through the top of the sixth inning. Sundown would respond by scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and scoring three runs in the seventh inning to earn the walk off win.
In the team statistics, Sundown bested Smyer 9-3 in hits while Smyer bested them 9-7 in walks and 2-5 in errors committed.
“Everyone contributed to that win,” Sundown Head Baseball Coach Matthew Schovajsa said. “We had guys come off the bench and pinch run in big moments. Athan Peralez came off the bench and went 2/3 including the walk off two-RBI hit. We have talked about the importance of the next three weeks, and the guys did a great job competing even when we got down 5-1.”
Along with Peralez, other Roughnecks standouts at the plate included center fielder Braiden Lara going ½ with two runs-batted-in, a double and a walk, designated hitter Jaxon Reynolds going 2/3 with an RBI, a run scored, a triple, a walk and a stolen base, right fielder Marco Landa going 2/4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases, first baseman Andrew Rodriguez going ½ with two walks and one run scored, and second baseman Ryland Baldwin going 1/3 with a walk.
On the mound for the Roughnecks, Cooper Day pitched 1.1 innings, holding Smyer to zero earned runs on zero hits and three walks while striking out two batters, and Rian Rose pitched 5.2 innings, holding Smyer to one earned run on three hits and six walks while striking out a batter.
Standouts for the Bobcats at the plate included first baseman Caleb Pearce going 2/3 with a run scored and a walk, catcher Austin Martinez going 1/3 with an RBI, a run scored, a double and a walk, designated hitter Keaton Bradley with two walks, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base, shortstop Ryann Gutierrez with an RBI and a walk, Colton Burriss with three walks and a run scored, and center fielder Tango Pastusek with a walk.
On the mound for the Bobcats, Burriss pitched 5.2 innings, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out 11 batters, and Skyler Pond pitched one inning, holding Sundown to zero earned runs on two hits and three walks.
The Roughnecks win improves them to 6-12 overall and 2-7 in district play, which puts them seventh in the 2A District 4 baseball standings.
The Bobcats loss drops them to 7-11 overall and 4-5 in district play, which puts them fourth in the 2A District 4 baseball standings.
The two teams play their second game of the series over the weekend before both returning to play on Tuesday. Sundown travels to play at Post on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and Smyer travels to play at Morton on Tuesday at 5 p.m.