The Sundown Roughnecks went on the road for a district baseball matchup against the Post Antelopes this past Tuesday night, resulting in the Roughnecks earning a 16-5 run-rule win across five innings to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sundown put the game out of reach early, besting Post 7-0 in the second inning and 8-1 in the third inning. Post would respond by winning the fourth inning 3-0 and tying Sundown 1-1 in the fifth inning, but to no avail.
In the team statistics, the Roughnecks bested the Antelopes 8-1 in hits, 11-5 in walks and 3-8 in errors committed.
Sundown’s standouts at the plate included first baseman Jaxon Reynolds going 2/4 with two runs-batted-in, two runs scored, a double and a stolen base, shortstop Ryland Baldwin going 1/3 with two RBI’s, two runs scored and a walk, center fielder Braiden Lara going 1/3 with two RBI’s, two runs scored and a walk, third baseman Ollen Pearson going 1/3 with two RBI’s, two runs scored and a walk, catcher Rian Rose going 2/4 with an RBI and a run scored, designated hitter Andrew Rodriguez going ½ with two walks, and left fielder Gordon Mata and right fielder Athan Peralez both recording two runs scored, two walks and an RBI.
On the mound for the Roughnecks, Marco Landa pitched four innings, holding Post to three earned runs on one hit and four walks while striking out two batters. Rose would enter in relief for an inning, surrendering zero runs on no hits and one walk while striking out two batters.
“We did a good job starting fast on offense and keeping holding on to the moment even through a delay,” Sundown Head Baseball Coach Matthew Schovajsa said, “Defensively, Marco commanded the mound, and we did a great job backing him up.”
The win marks the Roughnecks third straight, improving them to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in district play, which ties them for fifth in the 2A District 4 baseball standings with Post.
Sundown is still well and alive in the playoff chase as they look to land one of the final two spots of the four district playoff spots.
They’ll need to take care of business in their final three matchups, beginning with another game against Post over the weekend. Then they face Seagraves this Tuesday at 5 p.m. at home and then again on Friday at Seagraves at 5 p.m.