Lufkin vs. Rockwall Heath Notes: Game 2

May 9, 2017

By Derek Hassell
PBR Texas Scout

Friday, May 5

TYLER, TX - Lufkin had the bases loaded in the first inning with 1 out, but starting pitcher Kaden Krowka induced a 4-6-3 double play to get out of the jam.

Heath plated 3 runs in the bottom of the first. Cody Cleveland walked, Jake Wade singled on a hit-and-run execution, and Canaan Smith singled. Cole Stilwell, Josh Thurman and Luke Greenhill all drove in runs for the early 3-0 advantage.

In the second for Lufkin got a run back when Tanner Green singled and Clayton Gessford drilled a triple to make it 3-1. For Rockwall-Heath, Canaan Smith drilled a long home run to center to put Heath up 4-1 in the 3rd inning. Then, Chris Teufel doubled and Cleveland smoked an RBI double to make it 5-1, Heath.

In the 6th and 7th innings, Lufkin exploded for 8 runs. Adam Holden, Clayton Gesford, Clayton Corley led off with base hits. Corley’s was an RBI single. Tanner Green laid down a sac bunt and Jonathan Dewberry had an RBI single. Davis Powell executed a perfect safety squeeze and Dylan Murphy hit the go ahead RBI single to make it 6-5 Lufkin. Max Quick then drilled a triple for the 5th run of the inning. Reliever Clay Finnegan entered the game for Heath and was able to end the inning without further damage.

In the sixth, Cole Stilwell walked with two outs and his pinch runner scored on a base hit by Josh Thurman to cut the Lufkin lead to one.

In the top of the seventh, Clayton Corley walked, and moved to second on a sac bunt. Dewberry drilled an opposite field base hit and Powell executed his second perfect safety squeeze RBI of the game. Max Quick then drilled a 2 RBI single to bring the score to 10-6.

Dylan Murphy earned the win in relief. The right-hander did not allow a run and had two hits at the plate.

Rockwall Heath went on to win the series and move to the second round of the Texas High School Playoffs.