With the game at their home field and their ace on the mound, the Nacogdoches Dragons knew they needed to win Game 1 of their Class 4A, Region III area-round baseball series against Forney.
After a highly contested first two innings filled with action, the Dragons did just that as they took a 12-4 victory over the Jackrabbits Thursday night at Dragon Field in front of packed home bleachers.
Christy Wooten/The Daily Sentinel |
Dragon players celebrate as Stephen Canty, center, (7) comes in from hitting a grand slam Thursday night in the bottom of the first inning against Forney.
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"This was a big win," NHS head coach Todd Sparks said. "We had a great crowd and great fan support. Now, we have to go take care of business (Friday)."
Forney (21-13) jumped on Nacogdoches pitcher Cody Lock early with three runs off of three hits, including a three-run blast by Vance Woodruff over the right-field fence in the first inning to give Forney an early 3-0 edge.
The Dragons (23-6) responded, though, using a leadoff walk and two hit batters to load the bases for Stephen Canty, who hit an opposite field grand slam to give the Dragons the lead.
Chris Blackmon, Forney's No. 3 pitcher, started on the mound in a surprising move. However, the senior didn't last long as he gave up four runs and one hit with two walks and two hit batters in only 1/3 of an inning.
Lock seemed to settle down in the second inning as he quickly retired the first two batters, but Forney's Dillon Smith connected for a solo home run to tie the game, 4-4. From that point on, the Nacogdoches senior locked down on the Forney offense and didn't allow a hit after the second inning.
"I just threw two bad pitches, and they took advantage," Lock said. "I knew I had to just throw strikes and let my defense work behind me."
Lock tossed a complete game to improve to 10-2 on the season. He allowed four runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks. The Nacogdoches defense also did its job with several great plays in the infield. Shortstop Stewart Hill and third baseman Justin McAninch made numerous strong throws across the diamond to gun down Forney runners, and first baseman Brady Colby also had a spectacular diving grab in the seventh inning.
"The biggest thing to me is that we didn't get rattled," NHS head coach Todd Sparks said. "You can tell we've been here and done this. Last year, I didn't know what would have happened in that situation.
"Cody came back and threw strikes, and we had great defense, which is what we had to do. I am proud of them because they do what I ask — play defense and pitch."
After the Jackrabbits had tied the game in the top of the second inning, the Dragons had a quick answer with a run in the bottom half.
Sophomore Kyle Jeffrey (1-3), who relieved Blackmon and had allowed only one earned run through his first 3 2/3 innings, was touched up for seven runs off of five hits in the fifth inning as the Dragons batted around and put the game out of reach with a 12-4 lead. Lock, Hill and Chase Wallace all had two-run hits in the inning.
"I knew we were going to hit the ball," Lock said. "Their guys throw the ball hard and flat, and they can't throw it by us."
All nine Nacogdoches starters reached base with seven different players recording a hit.
Lock led the offense with a double, a single and two RBI. Hill also had two hits — both singles — and two RBI. Brady Colby also had two hits.
Canty had a home run and four RBI, and Wallace had a double and three RBI. Eric Opperman and Cameron Hamilton each added a single. McAninch reached base all four times — three walks and was hit by a pitch. Jake Skeeters also drew a walk as did sophomore Chad Clifton, a move-up from the junior varsity, in a pinch-hit role.
Smith led the Jackrabbits with two hits. Woodruff and Blackmon also added a hit, a piece.
Game 2 of the series with be at 7:30 tonight in Forney. McAninch will pitch for the Dragons, and ace Taylor Thompson is the likely starter for Forney.
