The Sundown Roughnecks hosted the Tahoka Bulldogs this past Friday where the Roughnecks won 16-12 in an offensive battle.
The Roughnecks were on the board first after Caleb Clausen singled, scoring one run at the bottom of the first making the score 1-0 Sundown leading.
In the bottom of the second inning Sundown extended their lead with six runs on five hits. Rayden Flores singled, scoring one run, Coen Nevarez doubled, scoring two runs, Jayson Martinez doubled, scoring one run, Jaxon Rodriguez doubled, scoring one run and an error scored one run.
In the top of the third inning Tahoka was able to cut into Sundown’s lead as they got four runs to go for them making the score 7-4, Sundown leading.
The Bulldogs had another run go for them in the top of the fourth after the batter hit a double play to the first baseman Isaac Lopez but would send in their runner from third base making the score 7-5, Roughnecks still leading.
The Roughnecks were able to go on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning after they scored six runs on one hit.
Rodriguez homered to center field, scoring two runs, an error scored two runs, Nevarez drew a walk, scoring one run and Martinez lined out, scoring one run; making the score 13-5.
Tahoka earned three more runs in the top of the fifth inning after two walks and a line out sent one home.
Sundown earned another run of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning after Lopez singled on a line drive to left field to send in Rodriguez to score making the score of the game 14-8, Sundown’s lead.
Tahoka scared the Roughnecks as they had a high scoring output in the top of the sixth inning getting four runs to go for them making the score a closer 14-12 with the Roughnecks still leading.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Roughnecks got two more runs to finish off the game after Rodriguez doubled on a line drive to left field to send in Caleb Clausen and Jayson Martinez putting the game out of reach and winning their district matchup.
Flores earned the win for the Roughnecks as he gave up one hit and four runs (two earned) over two and one-third innings, striking out five and walking six.
Clausen pitched three and one-third innings in relief for the Roughnecks as he allowed two hits and eight runs (one earned) while striking out four and walking seven.
Rodriguez got in on some of the action for the Roughnecks as he pitched for one and one-third innings as he gave up one hit and zero runs while striking out two and walking none.
Sundown tallied up 13 hits in the game. Rian Rose and Rodriguez each collected three hits for Sundown. Clausen and Martinez each collected multiple hits as well. Clausen paced the Roughnecks as he had two walks. The team had patience throughout the game as they had six walks in the game. Sundown turned in one double play in their contest.
Sundown progressed to 5-7 on the season on the year while going up to 2-3 in district play.
The Roughnecks traveled to Tahoka this past Tuesday for their second game of the series at 6 p.m.