Mustangs push Eagles in another one-run district contest

A pitching change and timely hitting with runners in scoring position helped Georgetown High defeat the Marble Falls High School baseball team 5-4 April 12.

“The start was great,” Marble Falls head coach Tyler Porter said of his team. “Our Achilles’ heel is we always seem to give some back. That was one of the most complete games we’ve played.”

The Mustangs (5-12, 1-8 District 25-5A) couldn’t have started the game better. Pitcher Bryson Atkinson forced the Eagles (19-3, 7-2) to go 3 up, 3 down in the first inning and then helped his own cause.

Jake Carter began the contest with a single down the first-base line, while Jon “Gouda” Zamarippa and Cale Cochran each drew walks. Atkinson hit an RBI single to center-right field. A.J. Scovil followed with a two RBI double for a 3-0 lead.

Georgetown responded by plating two unearned runs in the second inning where Marble Falls recorded three errors. Ryley Leininger hit an RBI double to bring in the first run and later scored on an error to trim the deficit 3-2.

The Eagles tied the game at 3-3 in the third when Leininger hit an RBI single to center field.

That didn’t last long thanks to Mustang Kyle Curtis, who hit an RBI single to left field for a 4-3 lead. At that point, Georgetown changed pitchers, opting to go with Nolan Jondahl for the remaining 4 1/3 innings.

The three walks and the runner who reached base thanks to being hit by a pitch didn’t hurt the Eagles because Jondahl didn’t allow a hit.

Meanwhile, Georgetown tied the game in the fifth inning when Logan Smith reached base on a walk that allowed Landon Hyle to go home. The Eagles scored what turned out to be the winning run in the sixth when Hyle hit an RBI double.

Hyle and Leininger each went 3 for 3 at the plate. Hyle scored 3 runs with an RBI, while Leininger had 2 RBIs with a run scored.

Atkinson went 2 for 3 at the plate, scored 2 runs and had an RBI, while Scovil had 2 RBIs, and Curtis had an RBI single.

On the mound, Atkinson gave up 3 earned runs off 9 hits and had 3 strikeouts, 3 walks and hit one batter with a pitch in six innings. Cochran pitched the final inning and gave up 2 hits that didn’t impact the score.

“I’m proud of those two guys,” Porter said. “I think both teams pitched well. I don’t feel our kids gave away extra at-bats. And they made plays that were impressive.”

In all, Marble Falls stranded nine runners, while the Eagles left 11.

This was the third game in five days for the Mustangs, who also lost to Cedar Park 13-6 April 9 and Leander Rouse 12-5 April 8. Against the Raiders, Marble Falls had a 5-3 lead in the middle of the third inning. But Rouse scored nine unanswered, including six in the sixth inning.

Porter noted he has witnessed the growth in his players as they have lost three district games by a single run.

“Moral victories don’t exist, but you can still be proud of your kids,” he said. “We’re going toe to toe with them, and we can be excited about how the kids are responding. It speaks well for the future.”

Marble Falls welcomes Leander at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, to Scearce Field, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.

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