By Shawn Edwards
MANSFIELD
May 09, 2008 03:20 am
—
It was clear after the first inning of the Class 2A, Region II area playoff that the fans at Tiger Stadium in Mansfield Thursday would be in store for a pitching battle.
Krum’s Derek Howell won that battle for the Bobcats, pitching a one-hit shutout against Blooming Grove to win 2-0.
“Ever since our first loss to Mildred I told my players not to let one guy dominant you,” coach Matt Anderson said. “(Howell) did.
“He did a good job. We knew it was coming, but we couldn’t pull the trigger.”
Howell was on target from the start, striking out the side in the first inning.
He continued to be near untouchable for the Lions, striking out 19 batters in the game.
Blooming Grove’s Scott Ackley had an impressive night on the mound as well, allowing just four hits in six innings of work.
After two hitless innings, the Bobcats were the first to make contact.
A lead-off single by Colton Head began the third inning. A double by Howell followed, but Ackley was able to get out of trouble to keep the game scoreless.
The Lion’s (15-6) only hit of the night came on an Ackley single to left field. A Lance Matous walk put two men on, but Blooming Grove was unable to bring in the runners.
Howell continued his dominance in the fifth and sixth innings, striking out six of the eight batters he faced and walking two.
The Bobcats seized their opportunity in the bottom of the sixth.
A single by Buster and a throwing error on a Victor Cristales at-bat put runners at the corners for Krum.
A passed ball that rolled to the back stop gave the Bobcats a chance to break the tie as Buster scored from third.
Krum (22-8) added one more run in the inning with an RBI-double by Randy Sargent to go a head 2-0.
Howell continued what he started in the top of the seventh.
After hitting Garrett Connally with a pitch and walking Jake Adair, Howell struck out the final two Lion’s hitters to end the game.
“I am proud of them,” Anderson said. “You can’t ask for more effort than they’ve given this season.
“This is the first time since I have been here that we have gone two rounds into the playoffs. It is something that we can build on in the future.”
Dawson 8, Gorman 3
The Dawson Bulldogs came away with the win Thursday in Game 1 of the Class 1A, Region II area playoffs at Southwest Christian Academy in Denbrook.
Justin Golden earned his sixth win of the season and Bubba Medrano picked up the save as Dawson rallied late to beat Gorman 8-3.
After trailing 3-0 after four innings, the Bulldogs bats came alive, scoring eight runs in the final three innings.
Dawson will play Game 2, and Game 3 if necessary, as a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. at Little River Academy in Temple.
Krum 2, Blooming Grove 0
Bl. Grove 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 1 1
Krum 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 x — 2 4 0
WP: Derek Howell 7IP, H, 19K
LP: Scott Ackley
Leading Hitters: B: Scott Ackley 1-3. K: Derek Howell 1-2 2B; Randy Sargent 1-3 2B, RBI; Bryse Buster 1-1 R.
Records: Blooming Grove 15-6; Krum 22-8.
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