Marble Falls baseball loses to Lago Vista
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Evan Nickowski is trying to steal third during the loss to Lago Vista. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School baseball team lost to Lago Vista 13-5 March 14 in District 24-4A play.
The Vikings (3-0) scored two runs in the third highlighted by a sacrifice bunt by junior Isaac Hood. The two runners who scored were hit by pitches before Hood stepped to the plate.
Marble Falls (8-7, 0-3) scored a run thanks to senior Evan Nickowski. He reached base on a walk and went to second on a pass ball. A throwing error allowed him to trot home.
Lago Vista extended its lead in the fourth inning when it scored 5 runs and sent 11 Vikings to bat for a 7-1 lead. The inning included two hits, four walks, a player who was hit by a pitch, and an error.
Lago Vista junior pitcher Colby Fowler was credited with the win. In five innings, he allowed one run off one hit, walked three and struck out nine.
“They’re exactly who I thought,” Porter said. “They have three kids who are very good baseball players. You can’t walk them or hit them with pitches.”
When given extra opportunities at the plate, opponents will take advantage, he added.
“If you provide that offense for them, they’ll score,” the coach said.
Once pitchers have runs, they feel less pressure and can simply throw strikes. And the Vikings, like most teams, pounced.
Marble Falls junior pitcher Brenton Liscum was credited with the loss.
“He was what we hoped he could be for two innings,” Porter said. “Now we want to see it for five or six innings. We’re hoping to see that. We need to see the pieces out of it.”
The Mustangs averaged almost an error an inning. Couple that with the free bases, and a comeback was very difficult. Porter noted some of the errors were made because of a bump, mistiming on a ball on a throw or hit, or learning a new position and not spending enough time working with multi-year lettermen.
“The reality is you have to start making changes,” Porter said. “(At some positions) we haven’t had good options.”
He emphasized that while some Mustangs lack experience in playing some postions, they do not lack ability or the desire to get better.
“It’s a matter of needing more time,” the coach said. “I love coaching the pieces, I love crossword puzzles.And the fun part is having time to work the puzzles.”
Marble Falls welcomes Burnet Tuesday, March 19, with the junior varsity playing at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity plays at 7 p.m.
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