 "Photo: Jon Eilts")
The McKinney Marshals scored six in the third inning and five in the sixth inning to leave the Brazos Valley Bombers on the losing end of a 15-5 score Sunday night in Bryan.
The Bombers and Marshals were both able to put a run on the board in the first inning to start off the game. The Marshals took the lead in the second, scoring two additional runs and the Bombers answered with a run of their own, closing the gap to 3-2.
McKinney third basemen, Jake Marshal led off the third inning with a solo homerun. The Marshals built upon their momentum and added another five runs after a homerun in the third inning. The Marshals then walked five batters in the bottom of the inning, but the Bombers only managed another two runs to bring the game to a 9-4 McKinney lead.
The Marshals continued to build on their lead, adding one run in the fourth inning, extending their lead to 10-4. The fifth inning was scoreless for both teams, but McKinney cushioned their lead with another five unanswered runs in the sixth, extending the lead to 15-4.
Despite maintaining their large lead, the McKinney pitching staff gave up several walks. However the Bombers were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Runners were stranded on base time and time again without a score.
"They gave us numerous opportunities to stay close in the game and we just had a poor performance," said Bombers Head Coach Brent Alumbaugh.
McKinney pitcher Del Howell threw seven strikeouts, three walks and did not give up any runs in the three innings of relief to pick up the win.
Bombers starter Trey Sperring gave up eight hits and eight runs in 2.2 innings and was tagged for the loss.
Bombers first basemen Dustin Dickerson drove in shortstop Zach Grichor, who tagged up to score the last run of the game in the eighth inning, leaving the Marshals on top, 15-5.
Grichor, 2-4 on the night, started the game with consecutive RBIs in the first and second innings and a walk in the eighth.
The Marshals accounted for 18 hits compared to the Bombers' five. Brazos Valley was only officially credited for one error, but numerous mistakes were made that resulted in runs and putting McKinney runners into scoring position.
"From a coach's view, you know your players know what to expect," Alumbaugh said. "When mistakes are made they have to listen to the coach's adjustments, but some things are just a matter of baseball savvy."
The Bombers defense continually forced two outs to start off innings, but was unable to capitalize on their advantage and allowed eight runs with two outs.
"We did not perform like you would expect at the college level," Alumbaugh said.
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