Photo credit, thscougarsathletics.com
Four-run third inning, Banks strikeouts ten to wipe out Wichita Falls Rider
Round Rock – Last week Nick Banks struck out 10 batters to help the Cougars advance to Round Rock for the first time in school history.
This week Tomball stands one win from a dream season after Banks fanned yet another 10 batters and thanks to a four-run third inning which gave it all the run support needed in over powering Wichita Falls Rider 5-2 in one 4A state semifinal on Thursday evening at the Dell Diamond.
Tomball (34-4) here for the first time, will meet the Corpus Christi Moody/White House winner on Friday night at 7 pm at the Dell Diamond.
Banks in only his second start of the year, struck out 10 batters, surrendered 6 hits, gave up a pair of runs and walked three.
“I wanted to go the distance,” Tomball’s pitcher Nick Banks said. My pitch count probably got up a little, but Coach Rush asked me was I alright. One thing about Coach Rush, if you walk one person, he’s got two guys throwing in the bull pen. He always has somebody ready in case something happens.”
The third inning made the difference, when the first three Cougars reached base, including Joshua Covey who walked, a fielding error allowed Banks to gain first base and Anthony Lucas infield single to the third base side. After Ishmael Edwards flied out to center, three consecutive RBI singles followed. Dillion Menville singled to left, tying the game at two. Eric DunBar and Robert Dugger followed with singles up the middle to give Tomball a 4-2 deficit.
“I’m just proud of our kids. We battled and battled,” Tomball coach Doug Rush said. Banks threw a heck of a game. He led off with a home run and we got a bunch of hits in a roll like we’ve been doing lately. We could have had more runs but their centerfielder made two great plays to rob us of more runs.”
That led to a pitching change which watched Raiders (32-8) starting pitcher Austin Hagy moved to first baseman as first baseman David Pewenofkit relieved Hagy on the mound. Pewenofkit then retired Dylan Bass and Casey Smith to get out of the inning.
As the game progressed, Banks continued his mound dominance, bearing down with off-speed pitches while he kept Raiders’ batters guessing.
“Once Nick gets going it’s tough to score on him,” added Rush.
“What I think about Banks? I think he’s one of the best players in the state of Texas,” Raiders’ coach Scot Green said. I knew that going in. Texas A&M doesn’t give scholarships to guys that can’t play.”
Adversity plaque Banks early in the season with sickness and elbow problems, but late season health has the Cougars benefitting.
A potentially huge first inning with the bases loaded and one out was dashed after Banks threw out Payton Geisinger at home plate and fanned Jordan McQuerry to end the threat.
“I thought we had a chance against him early. I think he was a little stiff,” added Green. He looks like he was still trying to get use to the mound. He’s a competitor.”
Banks led off bottom of the first, crushing a 3-2 pitch to right field, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
“When he hit the solo shot. That’s what those kids feed on. His energy,” said Green. There solid all the way around.”
Banks struggle to find the strike zone in the top of the third which led to a pair of Wichita Falls Rider runs. A pair of singles and a wild pitch got runners in scoring position before Pewenofkit RBI fielder’s choice grounder to Banks, plated one run. Nick Russell’s clean single to right center produced its second run to give Wichita Falls Rider a 2-1 lead.
“We didn’t panic when they came back and took the lead,” said Rush. We felt like we could get some more runs on the board.”
