By TONY EIERDAM
Pitching can be everything in baseball and softball.
After one game of District 6-3A play, the Mineral Wells Rams baseball team and the Lady Rams softball squad gave a peak to the rest of the district what it will be like to face the MWHS diamond teams.
The Lady Rams and Rams return to District 6-3A action today when both host Lake Worth. The Lady Rams and Lady Frogs will play at 7:30 p.m. at Kessler Field, while across the way at Pratt Field the Rams and Bullfrogs will have their first pitch at 7:30 p.m.
In wins over Castleberry on Friday at Castleberry, MWHS pitchers in both ball games combined to allow no runs, two hits, no walks and 16 strikeouts in a combined 11 innings.
The Rams defeated the Lions, 17-0, behind a perfect game by Matt Tincher. The “Moose” sent down all 12 batters he faced and struck out five in a contest stopped after four innings due to the 15-run rule.
Rams head coach Bret Barrick said Tincher’s curve ball impressed him more than the lefty’s 90 miles-per-hour fast ball.
“Matt was throwing his curve balls for strikes, and he was just staying within himself and hitting spots,” Barrick said. “He wasn’t gassing it up; he didn’t have to.
“We played good defense behind him. He pitched smart. He had a big lead so he went out there and worked on his mechanics and concentrated on hitting his spots.
“He did a good job of working his curve ball inside and out.”
The Rams knew coming into the season that Tincher would be the No. 1 pitcher, and there would be heavy competition for the No. 2 starting spot for district play.
Aaron Wheeler had solid non-district outings on the hill, and junior Chris Rapp also showed great promise, striking out eight in a game. Freshman Braxton Allen – who has also played shortstop and was the starting catcher Friday night – displayed pizzazz in his last start on the mound with 10 strikeouts.
Despite the apparent depth at pitcher, Barrick said he will go with senior Brandon Martinez – who started in center field Friday – as his starter on the hill in today’s game against Lake Worth.
Over the past two years Martinez has seen mound duty as a starter in pre-district tournament games and occasionally as a reliever.
Barrick said Martinez’s last two outings on the hill were impressive.
“Brandon has a good fastball and throws a split-finger fastball that falls off the table,” Barrick said. “He has earned a chance to be our No. 2 starter. But it is nice to have depth at pitcher.”
Lady Rams head softball coach David Tarver has three legitimate starting pitchers in second-year hurlers Hope Patterson and Allie Stephens, and freshman sensation Kelsey Keeton.
With Stephens coming off an injury, Tarver worked her back into the lineup Friday as a designated player (hitter) where she would only have to bat.
With that move, Tarver was forced to keep Patterson at third base and pitch Keeton.
Keeton responded with an 11-strikeout effort while allowing no walks and two bloop hits.
“Kelsey pitched very well,” Tarver said. “Their two hits were a blooper we could have got and a nub out to center field.
“Kelsey had their batters completely off balance all night long.
“She was pitching ahead in the count; she had a good change up.”
Tarver would not say who would be pitching today, and a lot of that rests with the health of Stephens.
But it would surprise nobody if Tarver sticks with Keeton, the hot hand right now in the circle for the Lady Rams.
Local Sports
Contact Tony
Contact sports editor Tony Eierdam
at sports@mineralwellsindex.com.
Related Photos
-
Mineral Wells senior Reagan Patterson leads the Lady Rams with six home runs. The Lady Rams will host Lake Worth at 7:30 p.m. today in District 6-3A action at Kessler Field. Tony Eierdam
-
Rams junior second baseman Colby Kissinger fields a ground ball Friday at Castleberry during MWHS’ 17-0 win. The Rams will host Lake Worth at 7:30 p.m. today at Pratt Field in a District 6-3A contest. Tony Eierdam
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.
Lady Rams, Rams host Lake Worth today in District 6-3A diamond action
- Local Sports
-
-
‘New look’ Lady Rams volleyball team nears end of spring workouts
After setting a school record for the deepest run in the playoffs, the Mineral Wells Lady Rams volleyball team got back to work this spring to prepare for the upcoming 2013 season.
-
District, area championships highlights of Santo baseball season
Playing into the third round of the 2013 Class A baseball playoffs, the Santo Wildcats fell to state-ranked No. 3 Bosqueville in two games of their best-of-three series.
-
No. 3 Bosqueville sweeps Santo in regional quarterfinal series
State-ranked No. 3 Bosqueville jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and never looked back as the Bulldogs defeated the Santo Wildcats, 14-6, here Saturday afternoon in game two to sweep the Class A, Region II regional quarterfinal series two games to none.
-
Lady Rams made school history in 2013
In a season where they never had their entire personnel on the field and healthy at the same time, the Mineral Wells Lady Rams softball not only persevered, but at the same time made school history.
-
Stakes high
After winning District 10-A outright and sweeping an area championship series, the Santo Wildcats baseball team will have its toughest task of the season when they face state-ranked No. 3 Bosqueville in a best-of-three regional quarterfinals series.
-
Local athlete to represent Texas in global tourney
Mineral Wells High School senior A.J. Williams was selected to represent the Lone Star State in a basketball tournament set for this summer.
-
Bi-district championship, near 6-3A title highlights of Rams 2013 baseball season
A near District 6-3A championship and a bi-district title were the highlights of the Mineral Wells Rams in the 2013 baseball season.
-
Burkhart not coming to Gordon; search on again for Longhorns’ grid boss
Last month, in a surprise announcement, successful Richland Springs head coach Jerry Burkhart eresigned from his post as head coach to take the suddenly-opened head football coaching position at Gordon.
-
Millsap’ Younger, Strawn’s Alison each finish sixth at state track meet
Three Gordon boys’ relay teams, two Strawn boys’ pole vaulters and a Millsap girls’ distance runner all competed Friday and Saturday at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field Meet at Mike Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas.
-
Burkburnett completes sweep of Lady Rams with 5-3 win
State-ranked No. 6 Burkburnett outlasted Mineral Wells in game two of a best-of-three regional quarterfinal series as the Lady Bulldogs held off the Lady Rams, 5-3, here Saturday to complete a series sweep.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
