By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

Twitter: @PBR_Texas

Tuesday, April 25

GRAPEVINE, TX - The eyes of Texas were upon District 8-5A on Tuesday night. The contest between Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine had been hyped up for the past couple of weeks, and rightfully so. Separated by only a few miles, both teams are ranked in the top ten in the state, and both had 12-0 records in district. Colleyville Heritage entered the night with a sterling 28-1-1 overall record, while Grapevine was 21-7.

Taking the mound for Colleyville Heritage was 2017 RHP Cameron Ehringer, a Weatherford JC recruit. But Tuesday night would be all Grapevine. The Mustangs fired on all cylinders Tuesday night, led by 2017 RHP Connor Neuman, a Louisiana-Tech recruit.

After both starters worked clean first innings, the Mustang’s got the scoring started in the bottom of the second. 2017 1B Joseph Leal, a Naval Academy recruit, laced a sure double of the top of the right field wall, but looked as if he pulled something while making the turn at first, and was held to a single. 2017 3B Ryan Drake, an Arkansas recruit, followed that with a double off the left field wall. 2018 Brett Squires singled through the right side to score Leal’s pinch runner. Ryan Drake attempted to score from second, but was gunned down at the plate by right fielder Connor Emmet. Several pitches later, 2018 C Jonathan Hearn doubled in Squires, putting Grapevine up 2-0.

Grapevine sent all nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the third. Connor Neuman led off with a single up the middle, and moved to second on an errant throw. A batter later, Neuman enticed Colleyville’s catcher to throw behind him at second, ultimately stealing third base. Another infield throwing would allow Neuman to score. Several pitches later, 2017 SS Boone Montgomery, a Texas-Arlington recruit, launched a solo home run to left-centerfield. After a Peyton Meadows double, Colleyville made a pitching change and turned to 2017 3B/RHP Isaiah Alvarenga.

Brett Squires welcomed Alvarenga with a single to right field, and after London Green’s RBI sac fly scored Ryan Drake, Grapevine went up 6-0.

Connor Neuman led off again, this time reaching on a hit-by-pitch. Nick Pierce doubled down the left field line to drive in Neuman, then Boone Montgomery reach on a base hit push bunt, and both players moved up and scored on wild pitches. Then Jonathan Hearn collected his second RBI-double of the night, putting Grapevine up 10-0.

In the top of the fifth, Colleyville Heritage needed to score at least once to avoid the “run-rule”. The Panthers had two men reach base via the walk, and both moved up a base after a wild pitch. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out, sophomore Nicolas Balsano smoked a line drive that looked destined to score two runs. But Grapevine shortstop Boone Montgomery made a leaping catch to his right, turned and fired to second base, recording the final out of the game. Grapevine 10, Colleyville 0.

The Mustangs’ offense was relentless all night, tallying twelve hits in just four offensive innings, including five doubles, a homerun and a triple. They sent six men to the plate in three of their four offensive innings, and seven Mustangs recorded hits along the way. Starting pitcher Connor Neuman was dialed in for Grapevine, hurling five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, three walks and six strikeouts. Offensively, Neuman was 1-for-1 with two runs scored.

With the win, Grapevine remains undefeated with a 13-0 District record, while Colleyville Heritage slides to 12-1. These two teams will meet again on Friday at 7:30, at Colleyville Heritage. If you want to get a seat, get there early.

STATS

Grapevine
C. Neuman: (W) 5 IP, H, 0 ER, 6 K, 3 BB. Batting: 1-1, 2 R, BB
B. Montgomery: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
B. Squires: 2-3, RBI, R
J. Hearn: 2-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI
L. Green: 1-2, 3B, RBI

Colleyville Heritage
I. Alvarenga: 1-1

 

To read more scouting notes on this game and others go to our DFW Scout Blog.

 

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