The Ropes Eagles traveled on the road for a district baseball matchup against the Tahoka Bulldogs this past Tuesday night, resulting in the Eagles run ruling them 17-2 in five innings.
Ropes took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and then outscored Tahoka 3-2 in the second inning, which would be the only time Tahoka scored. Ropes would add three runs in the third inning, one run in the fourth inning and eight runs in the fifth inning to secure the run rule win.
The Eagles were dominant in the team statistics, besting the Bulldogs 14-0 in hits, 8-6 in walks and 2-5 in errors committed.
Ropes’ standouts at the plate included shortstop Kade Franklin going 3/5 with three runs-batted-in, two runs scored and a double, center fielder Jaivyth Cruz going 3/3 with two RBIs, a run scored, a double and a stolen base, third baseman Garland Higginbotham going 2/5 with two RBIs and a run scored, Ryland Kieth going 2/4 with three runs scored, a walk and a stolen base, left fielder Maddux Sierra going ¼ with three runs scored, an RBI and a walk, right fielder Radley Partington going 1/1 with three runs scored, three walks and an RBI, Briggs Bourne with an RBI, and second baseman Elijah Flores going 1/3 with two runs scored and a walk.
The mound duties for the Eagles were split between Ryland Kieth, Brayden Hogg and Zach Ramirez. Kieth pitched 2.2 innings, allowing zero earned runs on no hits and four walks while striking out two batters; Hogg pitched a perfect 1.1 innings and Ramirez pitched an inning, allowing zero earned runs on no hits and two walks while striking out three batters.
The win improves the Eagles to 22-5 overall and 12-1 in district play, which ties them for first in the 2A District 4 baseball standings with New Home.
“We got a good win Tuesday night,” Ropes Head Baseball Coach Nathan Flores said. “We needed to get back in the win column after a tough loss to New Home last Saturday. We’re just trying to stick to what’s been working all year and trusting each other. We’ve got to get one more win to secure a Co-District Championship with New Home.”
That opportunity to secure the Co-District Championship over the weekend comes against Tahoka.