Fort Stocton vs. Lubbock Estacado

[SHSBulldog00]

Baseball

The last update I had was 4-4 in the 5th. What was the final?

[SintonFan_inAustin]

Seventh heaven: Lovato, Ramos lead Estacado

May 19, 2009 · Print This Article

BY ADAM ZUVANICH | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

ANDREWS — Fort Stockton wanted to face Sam Lovato with the game on the line Tuesday night, and the Panthers paid the price.

With two outs and the go-ahead run at third base in the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers elected to walk Estacado cleanup hitter Jr. Garza and take their chances with Lovato — who popped out in each of his first three plate appearances.

The senior first baseman then rolled the next pitch up the middle for an RBI single scoring Jericho Carranza, lifting the Matadors to a 5-4 victory in a Class 3A area playoff at Mustang Baseball Complex.

“I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to do something today,’” Lovato said. “I just waited for my chance, and I produced.”

Lovato’s late-game heroics sent the Matadors (21-9) to the regional quarterfinals for a seventh straight season. They’ll face Andrews (18-7) in a best-of-three, at Estacado on Friday and at Andrews on Saturday.

[SHSBulldog00]

Thanks for the article!