When the Wildcats Baseball Team took a 2-run lead in the bottom of the fifth against Dallas Lake Highlands in the 2020 Raider Classic at Wylie East Saturday, March 7, it looked like the Wildcats might take the tournament championship game.
Lake Highlands got to within one with a run in the top of the sixth, went ahead with two runs in the top of the seventh and, then, kept the Wildcats at bay in the bottom of the seventh, to win the championship game 4-3.
Lake Highlands got off to a good start in the game, scoring a run in the top of the first with two singles and a fielder’s choice ground ball. The Wildcats got an unearned run in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 1-1. Jake Davis got on on an error and, then, came around to score as Hayden Hurst hit a double to the left center field wall.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the fifth, when the Wildcats scored twice to go up 3-1. Davis and Hurst both walked. After a pitching change, Jaxon Chaney greeted the new pitcher with a long double that went to the wall. Meanwhile, Wildcats starting pitcher Jace Evans was holding Lake Highlands down.
In the top of the sixth, Lake Highlands cut the lead to 3-2. They got a walk and then, after a Wildcat error, a ground ball out scored the run. In the top of the seventh, Lake Highlands scored twice to take the lead. The inning opened with a single off of a Wildcats fielder’s glove. After a sacrifice bunt and a single, another single knocked in a run. Lake Highlands then went ahead on a towering fly ball caught right in front of the left field wall. The leading run came in from third base on the sacrifice fly. In the Wildcats seventh with one out, Davis singled but was put out as part of a game-ending double play ground ball.
Lake Highlands outhit the Wildcats 8 to 5
Evans pitched well for the Wildcats and deserved a better fate. He took the loss, throwing 90 pitches and 6 1/3 innings, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs, three of which were earned.
Evans struck out 2 and walked 2. Austin Crouse worked 2/3’s of a inning allowing 1 hit and 0 runs while striking out 1 and walking 1. Davis was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored. He also walked twice and stole a base. Hurst was 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI and a double. Chaney was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and a double. Alex Medina was 1 for 2 with a walk. Jace Evans was 1 for 1 with 2 walks.
The Wildcats went 3-1-1 in the Wylie East tournament. Their season record is now 7-3-1. Next for the Wildcats is their district opener at home Tuesday night at Wildcat Park against Royse City.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
