Blackcats sweep series with Rangers

ROSS CUNNINGHAM - Matagorda Advocate
April 24, 2008 - 2:08 p.m.

The Bay City Blackcats moved into sole possession of second place in District 24-4A as they swept the two game series with the Terry Rangers. Bay City defeated the Rangers 9-4 on Tuesday, April 15, at Bay City and then finished the series on Friday, April 18, with an 8-2 victory at Rosenberg. The Blackcats are now 9-4 in District while the Rangers dropped to 0-13 in district. Shaun Rutherford pitched six innings and had 11 strikeouts to pickup the win for Bay City on Tuesday, while John Glass took the loss for Terry.

David Morales opened the game for Terry with a triple to the left field corner. Rutherford settled in and fanned the next two batters for the Blackcats but the Rangers answered back as Stephen Koen tripled down the right field line to score the first run of the game. Rutherford fanned the next batter to end the inning for Bay City.

The Blackcats answered back in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead back for good. Colby Hines led off the inning for Bay City with a single to right field followed by another single by Travis Tomek. Zack Benson scored the first two runs for Bay City as he smashed a triple down the left field line scoring Hines. Chance Leissner doubled home Benson and Rutherford finished the scoring as he singled home Fred Hawkins, who was a pinch runner for Leissner as the Blackcats led after one inning 4-1. Neither team scored in the second inning. Rutherford found his rhythm in the third inning for Bay City as he fanned all three Ranger batters.

Rutherford started a rally for the Blackcats in the bottom of the third inning as he singled down the left field line with two outs and then stole second base. Chad Barrett walked as the Ranger’s pitcher had a hard time finding the strike zone. Derek Montgomery singled and went all the way to third base on a throwing error as the ball went into foul territory scoring Rutherford and Barrett. Montgomery ended the inning as he was called out at the plate on a wild pitch. Bay City led after three innings 6-1.

Terry rallied in the sixth with Abe Garcia leading the way for the Rangers with a double to right field with one out. The next two batters for the Rangers walked to load the bases. Rico Turrubiate reached first on a fielding error scoring Garcia from third as Terry narrowed the gap to 6-2. Rutherford got the next batter to ground out but a run scored to cut the Blackcats lead in half as they led 6-3. Ben Mendoza walked to load the bases again for Terry and the Blackcats made a pitching change. Rutherford left the mound after throwing 103 pitches and was replaced by Benson. Benson retired the next batter on the first pitch to retire the side for Bay City.

The Blackcats answered back in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored three runs to give the team a six run cushion. Montgomery opened the inning with a walk and then stole second base. Trevor Seidel flied out to right field for the first out for the Blackcats followed by a single by Angel Dominguez to place runners at the corners. Hines reached first on a throwing error and two runs scored as the ball bounced into foul territory. Tomek hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score the final run. After giving up a run, Benson fanned the next three batters to end the game. Benson also led the Blackcats in hitting with a triple and 2RBI’s and a single followed by Montgomery with two singles and a RBI. Bay City will play their final game of the season at home on Friday, April 25, against the Foster Falcons at 7 p.m. The Falcon’s are 8-5 in District. Bay City only needs one win in the two game series to clinch the second place spot and with Lamar’s loss to Foster on Friday opens the door for the Blackcats for a possible tie with Lamar Consolidated for the District championship.