Scoop27
05-16-2015, 10:48 AM
By Joshua Cook joshua.cook@thefacts.com | 0 comments
FREEPORT — Behind a solid pitching performance by senior Aaron McIntyre, the Brazosport Ships took a 1-0 lead Friday in the Class 4A Region IV area round series with the La Vernia Bears.
McIntyre dazzled hitters and spectators with a blistering fastball, diving curveball and deceptive delivery, as he helped the Exporters (17-10) get past the Bears, 3-1. The right-hander tossed a complete-game victory, fanning 11 hitters while allowing one run on five hits and two walks.
“Aaron threw the ball extremely well,” Brazosport coach Ken Schulte said. “Getting a complete game tonight out of Aaron means everybody is ready to go tomorrow.”
With the Game 1 win, the Exporters need to take just one contest today at La Vernia to win the series. But Schulte is going all-in for the sweep.
“We’re not going over there trying to win one out of two,” Schulte said. “We’re going over there trying to go 1-0.”
Game 2 is set for a 2 p.m. start, with Game 3 following, if needed.
Despite getting only one hit Friday, Brazosport broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring all three of its runs by combining its lone hit — a single by senior Jay Hernandez — with three walks, a hit batter, two errors and a wild pitch.
After loading the bases on two walks and a hit batsman, La Vernia starting pitcher Colby Skelton found himself in a jam for the first time with his team ahead, 1-0.
With pressure mounting and one out, Brazosport squeezed the tying run across on a fielder’s choice groundout by senior Luis Saucedo.
The next batter, Hernandez, delivered what proved to be the game-winning knock, ripping a single to right field that scored Jacob Lerma from second base.
With runners on first and second, La Vernia coach Adam Borgfeld replaced the left-handed Skelton with righty Dylan Tuten.
But the new arm did not help matters. After walking the bases loaded with four balls to McIntyre, La Vernia third baseman Cole Lowry dropped a would-be groundout that allowed Saucedo to score and pushed the lead to 3-1.
“We stayed aggressive, and we hung in there in the batter’s box,” Schulte said. “We got a hit and they made an error, and we found a way to score three runs and win. We found a way to scrape runs and move men around the bases.”
However, the Exporters were unable to heap on any more runs, as Josh Luna flied out to right to end the inning.
Rejuvenated by the lead, McIntyre returned to the mound with more heat on his fastball. McIntyre struck out the side in the sixth and sat down three of five batters in the seventh for the win.
La Vernia’s lone run crossed the plate in the third inning when Tristan Gardner roped an RBI single to left field. After Christian Bruce crossed the plate, Austin Starks was gunned down at third by Brazosport left fielder Michael Traylor for the third out.
Skelton, who took the loss, lasted 4 2/3 innings, walked four, hit three batters and struck out five.
FREEPORT — Behind a solid pitching performance by senior Aaron McIntyre, the Brazosport Ships took a 1-0 lead Friday in the Class 4A Region IV area round series with the La Vernia Bears.
McIntyre dazzled hitters and spectators with a blistering fastball, diving curveball and deceptive delivery, as he helped the Exporters (17-10) get past the Bears, 3-1. The right-hander tossed a complete-game victory, fanning 11 hitters while allowing one run on five hits and two walks.
“Aaron threw the ball extremely well,” Brazosport coach Ken Schulte said. “Getting a complete game tonight out of Aaron means everybody is ready to go tomorrow.”
With the Game 1 win, the Exporters need to take just one contest today at La Vernia to win the series. But Schulte is going all-in for the sweep.
“We’re not going over there trying to win one out of two,” Schulte said. “We’re going over there trying to go 1-0.”
Game 2 is set for a 2 p.m. start, with Game 3 following, if needed.
Despite getting only one hit Friday, Brazosport broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring all three of its runs by combining its lone hit — a single by senior Jay Hernandez — with three walks, a hit batter, two errors and a wild pitch.
After loading the bases on two walks and a hit batsman, La Vernia starting pitcher Colby Skelton found himself in a jam for the first time with his team ahead, 1-0.
With pressure mounting and one out, Brazosport squeezed the tying run across on a fielder’s choice groundout by senior Luis Saucedo.
The next batter, Hernandez, delivered what proved to be the game-winning knock, ripping a single to right field that scored Jacob Lerma from second base.
With runners on first and second, La Vernia coach Adam Borgfeld replaced the left-handed Skelton with righty Dylan Tuten.
But the new arm did not help matters. After walking the bases loaded with four balls to McIntyre, La Vernia third baseman Cole Lowry dropped a would-be groundout that allowed Saucedo to score and pushed the lead to 3-1.
“We stayed aggressive, and we hung in there in the batter’s box,” Schulte said. “We got a hit and they made an error, and we found a way to score three runs and win. We found a way to scrape runs and move men around the bases.”
However, the Exporters were unable to heap on any more runs, as Josh Luna flied out to right to end the inning.
Rejuvenated by the lead, McIntyre returned to the mound with more heat on his fastball. McIntyre struck out the side in the sixth and sat down three of five batters in the seventh for the win.
La Vernia’s lone run crossed the plate in the third inning when Tristan Gardner roped an RBI single to left field. After Christian Bruce crossed the plate, Austin Starks was gunned down at third by Brazosport left fielder Michael Traylor for the third out.
Skelton, who took the loss, lasted 4 2/3 innings, walked four, hit three batters and struck out five.