The Sundown Roughnecks traveled to Tahoka to take on the Bulldogs in UIL District Baseball Action where the Roughnecks lost 13-12 in a close one.
In the top of the first inning, it was Sundown that got on the board first after Jaxon Rodriguez singled and a called balk on Tahoka scored two runs for the Roughnecks giving Sundown the early 2-0 lead.
Tahoka responded in the bottom of the first after they had three runs go for them taking the lead 3-2.
In the top of the third inning, Rodriguez singled, tying the game at three a piece after sending home Caleb Clausen.
Sundown retook the lead in the top of the fourth inning after Tahoka committed an error, and Clausen grounded out, each scoring one run making the game 5-3, Sundown leading.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Tahoka got one run after a Strikeout and their runner scored on a wild pitch cutting Sundown’s lead down 5-4.
In the top of the sixth inning Sundown extended their lead 7-4 after Landry Farrar singled on a hard ground ball to shortstop and Rayden Flores hit a fly out, each scoring one run.
The Bulldogs slipped the game around as they scored five runs on two hits to take the 9-7 lead.
The Roughnecks weren’t giving up as they took the lead in the top of the seventh inning after Hunter Clark was struck by a pitch, Isaac Lopez walked, Farrar walked, Tahoka committed an error and Rian Rose walked, each scoring one run. The score sat at 12-9 Sundown holding their lead.
Although both teams battled hard it was Tahoka that jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the seventh after their batter singled, Sundown committed an error and two batters got on base each scoring one run to give Tahoka the huge nail-bitter win.
Lopez took the loss for the Roughnecks as the reliever went two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out none and walking four.
Rodriguez led things off for Sundown as he gave up five hits and six runs (five earned) over five and two-thirds innings, striking out 11 and walking three.
The Roughnecks got 10 hits in the game. Rodriguez led Sundown with three hits in four at bats. Farrar and Rodriguez each drove in two runs for the Roughnecks. Rose collected two hits for the Roughnecks in three at bats. The team had patience throughout as they collected eight walks in the game. Lopez, Rose and Farrar led the team with two free passes each. Lopez stole two bases in the game. The Roughnecks turned one double play in the game.
The Sundown Roughnecks fall to 5-8 on the season while going down to 2-4 in district play. The Roughnecks played against the Seagraves Eagles this past Saturday and will face them again this upcoming Tuesday as the visiting team at 5 p.m.