While the so-called “surprise” team of the first third of district, Palo Duro, did come down to earth, the Dons still had a share of the district lead at the end of play Saturday. Their 9-6 win over Caprock at Hodgetown ensured they would be tied with Amarillo High for the district lead.
Palo Duro (12-9, 3-1 in district) had scored in the last at-bat of the first two district games against Amarillo High and Tascosa to pull out a pair of victories. The Dons had no such mojo on their side at home against Plainview on Friday, though, at least at the plate.
They didn’t hit a ball out of the infield against Plainview ace Isaac Garza, who threw a no-hitter at Palo Duro, striking out 11 en route to a 5-0 win which handed the Dons their first district loss.
“(Garza) had his fastball working in and out and was throwing his slider as much as his fastball,” Palo Duro coach Tyson Wormsbaker said. “He was throwing strikes with both. He just kind of kept us off balance and we couldn’t seem to get on him.”
Palo Duro exceeded that offensive total quickly against Caprock (3-14-1, 1-3). After the Longhorns took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Dons responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good, despite getting only one hit.
Caprock cut the lead to 6-5 in the top of the sixth on a two-run double by Derek Paz. But Palo Duro got three runs back in the bottom of the inning, capped by Leslie Shaw’s two-run double.
Palo Duro ended up sharing the lead with Amarillo High (9-10-2, 3-1) to end the weekend. That’s because the Sandies won twice in 24 hours, beating Tascosa 5-3 on Friday, then going on the road to beat Plainview 10-7 on Saturday afternoon.
Against Tascosa (9-10, 1-3), the game was tied 3-3 after the Rebels scored three runs in the top of the sixth. But Amarillo High scored twice in the bottom of the inning after Jacob Greeson drove home a run with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly.
Sawyer Shipman pitched six innings to earn the win and Derek Zumbrun pitched the seventh for the save.
Cannon Davis drove in four runs to lead the Sandies to the win over Plainview. For the second straight day, Zumbrun picked up the save, this time going two innings.
Friday’s scores
Plainview 5, Palo Duro 0
Amarillo High 5, Tascosa 3
Saturday’s scores
Palo Duro 9, Caprock 6
|Amarillo High 10, Plainview 7
District 4-4A
Canyon ISD schools score Friday sweep
The three Canyon ISD schools all scored decisive wins Friday and occupied places in the top three spots of the district at the end of the week.
As would be expected, No. 3 Randall continued to live up to its ranking, staying undefeated in district play to remain alone atop the district standings. The Raiders (18-3, 4-0 in district) dominated Hereford after going to extra innings with their two previous CISD opponents, rolling over the Whitefaces 10-0 in a five-inning 10-run rule decision at Raider Field.
Randall did the overwhelming majority of its damage in the bottom of the second, scoring nine runs. The Raiders scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to invoke the run-rule.
Payton Bush dominated two ways against Hereford (10-5-2, 2-2), starting on the mound and giving up thre hits while striking out seven. Bush went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in two runs.
Mason Gilbert homered and drove in two runs for the Raiders.
Canyon moved into second place alone in the district by beating Pampa at home 9-0. The Eagles (13-5, 3-1) scored eight runs in the first three innings to seize control of the game.
Sophomore Zaiben Urteaga started and got the win for Canyon, giving up one hit in four innings. Hunter Anderson, Bo Boehning and Ryan Pitt each threw scoreless innings in relief for the Eagles.
Cutter Livermore had two hits and drove in three runs for Canyon, while Ben Black had two hits and drove in two runs.
The newest CISD school, West Plains, pulled even in district play for the first time in school history by beating Perryton 7-1. It was the second straight game the Wolves (12-7, 2-1) closed strong to win, as they scored six runs in the fourth through sixth innings to break a 1-1 tie and cruise to a win.
Left-hander Bryton Bertrand had a stellar game on the mound for West Plains, giving up only two hits and striking out 12. Bertrand also had two hits and drove in a run and Jonnie Gifford drove in two runs.
West Plains is now tied for third in the district with Dumas, Hereford and Pampa.
Friday’s scores
Randall 10, Hereford 0, 5 innings
Canyon 9, Pampa 0
West Plains 7, Perryton 1
Dumas 3, Borger 0