After suffering back to back losses to Klein Oak and Oak Ridge, Klein Collins run-ruled Klein Cain, 15-3, behind an explosive offensive performance on Tuesday night at Klein Collins High School.
Little time expired before Klein Collins (6-4-0, 2-1-0) exploded for six first-inning runs.
Senior right fielder Bailey Figueroa led Collins, finishing the game going three of four with three RBIs and a walk. Figueroa was also part of the six runs first inning.
“We came out and played our game full of energy,” Klein Collins right fielder Baily Figueroa. “We just came back from a loss to Klein Oak and we had to put something up.”
The Tigers were all smiles after halting a two-game losing streak when it fell (12-2) to district rival Klein Oak and Oak Ridge, 8-2.
“Last week was a rough week for us,” Klein Collins coach Chris Griffin said. We just didn’t feel like we played very good baseball last week.” “Up to our character. It was a challenge for us to come out and play KC Baseball.”
Left fielder Reji Cubillo led off the bottom of the first inning with a double, followed by Colby Powers single. A two-base throwing error allowed Cubillo to score while Powers held up at third. Chris Benavides drew a walk. Then second baseman Elijah Comeaux poked a single past first base, scoring Powers to give Klein Collins a 2-0 lead.
Later in the same inning, Comeaux stole second, and Mason Tomchesson drew a walk. After, Figueroa slapped a one out, two-run RBI single over second base, increasing the Tiger’s lead, 4-0.
Seth Trevino pitched four innings in the win, struck out five, surrendered three runs, and gave up three walks. Joshua Cordova came on in relief in the top of the fifth and recorded three consecutive outs for the save.
Hurricane’s pitcher Ryan Hanks got center fielder Chris Garza to lined out. However, with a runner dodging home plate, Hanks threw the ball to home plate, but catcher Vinny Saumell could not handle the throw as the runner scored.
“For the most part we were on the attack,” coach Griffin explained. “They have a young group over there (Klein Cain) and we tried to put pressure on them and the guys did a great job of doing that.”
The Tigers would add another run as it built a 6-0 lead after one inning of play.
Starring at a 6-0 deficit, Cain showed the ability to bounce back.
In the top of the second inning, Cade Farragut laced a single up the middle. Short Stop Trae Griffin followed, crushing a pitch over the left-center field wall to trim the Tigers lead, 6-2. But Tigers pitcher Seth Trevino settled down and shut the door, striking out the side, which included Hanks, first baseman Logan Zermeno, and Farragut.
Hanks lasted three innings, gave up seven runs on six hits, and two walks in the loss. Jacob Mallozzi relieved Hanks, yielding six runs on seven hits.
The Hurricanes (3-13-0, 0-3-0) would score its final run in the top of the third inning before Collins exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring eight runs on seven hits and two walks.
That’s when the Tigers got into Klein Cain’s bullpen, chasing Hanks from the game. Mallozzi came on in relief. He struggled with his control, walking Cubillo, Benavides, hit Powers with a pitch, two wild pitches and yielded two runs.
“Its a grind going through this district. We’ve been going through rough patches but I think we are coming together as team. This win gets us back on track to where we need to be and I’m ready for the next game.”
The Tigers will face Klein Thursday at 7PM while Klein Cain host Klein Forest at 5PM.
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