Banks throws a 2-hitterand the Cougars gets an offensive explosion in a 15-hit attack
Not even a two-out mistake to close out the top of the first inning could boggle the Cougars, when left fielder Ishmael Edwards jumped over home plate after a swing, evolving himself in a catcher’s interference, in an attempt to throw out a runner stealing second.
In fact the Tomball was so focused on its goal of reaching the state tournament after years of falling short, pitcher Nick Banks 2-hit shutout and its 15-hit offensive attack combined to overpower and run ruled Foster 10-0 in the 4A Region III Finals on Thursday night at Reckling Park.
After coming up short in last years’ 5A Region II Semifinals lost to eventual state finalist A&M Consolidated, anything less than the state tournament berth would have been a disappointment for the Cougars.
“Coach Rush actually texted me the day after the win in the semis and he said it’s your ball,” I was here last year in the 5A semifinals. I pitched well, so he had confidents in me to go tonight. I know everyone is excited, but our goal at the beginning of the season is to win state, only.”
Tomball (33-4) advancing to the state tournament for the first time will meet Wichita Falls Rider in one state semifinal on Thursday at 4 pm at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
Texas A&M signee Banks had great command and control throughout the evening, striking out nine, allowed two hits and a walk.
The lefty was seldom used on the mound this season but Thursday’s appearance showed no signs of Banks being rusty in taking the mound for his first start of the season. His changeup and slider found every corner of the plate while batters froze on called strike three or fanned their way back to the dugout.
“He was throwing a slider for strikes (Tomball’s pitcher nick Banks). It was a whipping slider that cut across the plate,” Foster’s coach Mick Tosch said. It ate our lefties up. Then he had command of his changeup. He had a career night. He had pitched much all year. He comes out and gives up two hits. He’s been sick. He’s had some arm problems and comes out tonight and mows us down. He did a great job.”
Not only was the pitching superb, but Cougars offense was clicking on cylinders, shelling out 15 hits. Two of which were off Banks bat with an RBI.
“Those guys swung the bat a lot better than I thought would,” added Tosch. That’s the best hitting team we faced all year.”
Foster (29-9) never could get much of nothing going against the Cougars. If Banks wasn’t the cause, it was the Tomball’s defense and offense.
Tomball came up with its first two runs in the top of the third inning, after Casey Smith walked to first, while pinch runner Vance Hammonds ran for Smith. Josh Covey singled to left field, a Banks groundout to the pitcher sent Hammond to third where he scored on short stop Anthony Lucas sac fly to right field.
Edwards run scoring double down the third baseline, plated Covey, increasing Tomball’s lead, 2-0.
Foster struggled to keep Tomball hitters quiet, using three different pitchers. Colton Young entered the fifth inning facing a 6-0 hole with no outs. He was able to strike out Eric Dunbar before Robert Dugger’s RBI single which made the score 7-0.
After being chased in the sixth, Young gave way to Gabe who entered the sixth inning with no outs. But work his way out of trouble with the help of an inning ending double-play. A grounder to short stop Riley Hood off the bat of pinch hitter Dylan Bass, threw to second for one out and to first for final out of the inning.
The Cougars padded its lead by using the fifth and sixth innings to score seven runs off 10 singles to build a 10-0 deficit as it put the game away for the remainder of the contest.