The Ropes Eagles squared off against the West Texas Comanches in the Area Round of the 2A Division 2 baseball playoffs this past weekend at Plainview High School, resulting in the Eagles dominating them to win the Area Championship.
In game one on Friday, Ropes beat West Texas 10-2 across seven innings. Ropes scored a run in the first in ning, a run in the third inning, two runs in the fourth inning, two runs in the fifth inning, one run in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh inning. West Texas’ pair of runs came in the second inning.
In the team statistics, they tied 8-8 in hits and 2-2 in walks, while the Eagles bested the Comanches 3-6 in errors committed.
Ropes’ standouts at the plate included Elijah Flores going ¼ with three runsbatted- in and a run scored, Kade Franklin going 2/3 with an RBI, a run scored and a double, Jaivyth Cruz going 2/4 with an RBI and a double, Zach Ramirez going ¼ with a run scored and a double, Ryland Kieth with two runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base, and Garland Higginbotham with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base.
On the mound for the Eagles, Higginbotham pitched three innings, surrendering two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Cutter Stumbo also made an appearance, pitching four innings and surrendering zero earned runs on two hits and no walks while striking out five batters.
In game two on Saturday, Ropes beat West Texas 13-3 across five innings. Ropes scored five runs in the first inning, and both teams scored three runs in the second inning before Ropes scored five unanswered to close out the game.
In the team statistics, Ropes bested West Texas 10-2 in hits, 6-4 in walks and 1-2 in errors committed.
The Eagles’ standouts at the plate included Ramirez going 2/3 with three RBIs and a double, Brayden Hogg going 2/2 with two RBIs, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base, Flores going 2/3 with two RBIs, Franklin going 1/1 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk, Higginbotham going 1/1 with two runs scored, an RBI, a double and a stolen base, Kieth going 2/3 with an RBI, a double, a triple, a walk and a stolen base, Branson Simental with an RBI and Cruz with three runs scored, a walk and a stolen base.
Flores and Franklin split Ropes’ mound duties in game two. Flores pitched three innings, surrendering zero earned runs on one hit and four walks while striking out a batter, and Franklin pitched two innings, surrendering zero earned runs on one hit and no walks while striking out three batters.
The pair of wins improves the Eagles to 27-5 overall, also securing the Area Championship and advancing them to the Regional Semifinal Round.
They’ll face the Albany Lions on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Ira Baseball Field. The series is one game, where the winner advances.
(Photo provided by Ropes ISD)