Wilson’s solid pitching performance has the Tigers two wins away from a district title
Strake Jesuit – Winning more than eight games this season was on the mind of Zack Wilson. With three games left, he’s ahead of schedule.
Zach Wilson pitched a complete game and the Katy Tigers received early run support while taking a step closer to the district crown, by defeating Strake Jesuit 5-1 on Tuesday night at Markel Steel Stadium.
With Memorial’s Tuesday night loss, 6-2, to Katy Taylor, the Tigers took over the top spot in district 19-5A and can clinch the out-right title by winning its last two games. Katy will travel to Cinco Ranch on Friday and will host Memorial the following Friday, April 26th to close out the season.
Wilson improved to 9-0 along with two saves on the season with the complete game win. That included nine strike outs, no walks while scattering six hits, and surrendering a run. He established control early, staying ahead of the batters throughout the game.
“I felt good. I was prepared,” said Wilson.
“We started off good in the first inning, getting some runs and getting ahead, that always helps,” Wilson said. Just keeping the motivation to go out and throw strikes was my focus. I trust my teammates and they made plays.”
“There pitcher (Zack Wilson) is a good pitcher,” said Strake Jesuit coach Raul Garcia-Rameau. Our guys played hard all the way to the end and Hartman pitched a good game for us.”
The visiting Tigers (23-4, 10-2) struck for two early runs in the top of first inning when senior right fielder Andrew Englett reached first base on four consecutive balls, went to second on Atwood’s sac bunt and to third base on a wild pitch. Following, Kiley Huddleston struck out swinging and catcher Austin Frick walked.
DH batter Taylor Cox ripped a run scoring single to left field, scoring Englett and giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Katy’s next run was a result of Crusaders’ short stop Stacy Drake’s throwing error to first base which came off the bat of Paul DelaGarza. Bennett came home, increasing the score, 2-0.
“We got some early runs which helped and a solid pitching performance from Wilson,” Katy’s coach Tom McPherson said.
Sophomore Taylor Cox and Isaac Garcia led the Tigers’ six hit attack with two singles apiece.
Error, mistakes and untimely hits were the undoing of Strake Jesuit. Three Crusaders throwing errors and two wild pitches produced two of Katy’s five runs.
The loss also eliminated the Crusaders from any chance of advancing to post season.
“We had to win out to make the playoffs and to have a couple of other teams to lose out,” added Raul. We dug ourselves a hole early in district. We lost three tough games by one run. We didn’t reach our goal.”
Both Nick Hartman and opposing pitcher Wilson begin to settle in with pitches over the plate as things got quiet until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Strake Jesuit sent six batters to plate, including three consecutive singles, but coming away with only one run. Nick Zarosky, Drake and Pontikes all singled in that order.
“That’s been our nemesis all year, hitting with runners in scoring position,” says Raul Garcia-Rameau. The last hit of the game, if that ball was one feet either way, the game is extended.”
Stockton was 2-of-4 as Strake Jesuit equaled the Tigers with six total hits.
Tigers’ Isaac Garcia led off the fifth with a ringing single to left field after Englett struck out. Then, Atwood’s RBI doubled to the wall in right center pushed the lead, 3-1.
The Crusaders (21-8, 6-6) threaten in the bottom of the fifth with runners on first and second before Zack Stockton’s infield pop out and Zarosky struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Tigers tacked on a pair of insurance runs while dashing water on the heels of a Crusader rally, as Wilson got Zarosky to hit into a game ending double play.
