Four run second inning keep Mustangs in hole
With five teams battling for a playoff spot in one of the state’s toughest District (17-5A), there’s only one answer, win or go home.
Jordan Lee’s two run double in the bottom of the second inning was enough to give Cy-Creek a 7-3 district win over fourth place Cy-Ranch Tuesday night at Cy-Creek. The win combined with a Cy-fair loss ties both for the top spot in district. The Bobcats dropped a 11-1 decision to Langham Creek Tuesday night. Cy-Creek will close out their season on April 29 at home when they host Cy-Fair for what could be the district title.
The Cougars (17-9-0, 10-2) kept a nine game streak alive.
Junior Second baseman Leon Byrd led off the top of the first inning with a stunning homer over the leftfield fence to give Cy-Ranch the early 1-0 lead.
The Cougars used an unearned run to tie the game in the bottom of the first. Jordan Lee reached first base on an error charged to second baseman Byrd for bobbling the ball before throwing to first base late. Lee advanced to second on a pass ball and went to third on Jacob Sarabia’s check swing grounder to the pitcher who elected to throw to first for the out leaving Lee to advance to third. The speedy Lee then scored on Kevin Pappas ground out to second.
“Yes this district is always considered one of the toughest in Texas, weather you play Cy-Fair, Cy-Ranch, Jersey Village, Cy-Lakes, everyone of them count the same in the win column,” said Cy-Creek’s coach Michael McCollum. “We’re fortunate to get out of here with a win against a quality team. We’ve got on a role, we’ve won nine ball games in a roll. The kids are playing with confidence, their hustling, their believing in each other, there fun to be around and it’s a great group of kids. It’s all about confidence this time of the year.”
In bottom of the second Pablo Armendarez’s run scoring single gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead before Lee stroked an 2-run double to left field to pad the lead 4-1.
Craig Snook’s single platted Ben Limes as Cy-Ranch (20-6-0, 8-4) trimmed the deficit 5-2. The Mustangs posted a desperation threat in the top of the 7th inning. Zach Smith singled to left, relief pitcher Zack Townsell was hit by a pitch. Courtesy runner Jacob Ramsey replaced Townsell at first base. A balk then sent Smith and Ramsey to second and third base. Limes was hit by a pitch to load the base with no outs. Pitcher Kevin Pappas got Byrd to ground out, giving the fielder’s choice the score as Smith cross the plate for Cy-Ranch’s third and final run. Soon after Fulmer went down on strikes before Curtis Jones grounded out to end the game.
Kevin Pappas was awesome on the mound, striking out ten while holding a very talented hitting Mustang team to five hits and surrendered two walks. Also power hitting first baseman Bill Bay sent a torpedo deep over the leftfield fence to give him a homerun in each of his last three games.
“Kevin Pappas has been solid for us for four straight games,” said Coach McCollum. “He’s thrown one hitter, a two hitter, a three hitter. Tonight he gave up four hits. He’s done a great job for us getting up there and just battling and kind of carried the team a little. He knows that he doesn’t have to be perfect up there because we’re hitting the ball well right now. He’s okay if he gives up a run or two here and there because we’ve been scoring some runs for him lately.”