Marble Falls baseball beats Lago Vista for 1st district win

CAPTION: Marble Falls senior Evan Nickowski hit a grand slam to help the Mustangs earn their first District 24-4A victory. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School baseball team hung on for an 8-7 victory against Lago Vista April 10 in a contest that was played a day later because of bad weather.

Head coach Tyler Porter noted getting a win, especially in District 24-4A, helps in many ways.

“Having a zero in the win column isn’t fun,” he said. “It takes pressure off. It’s a sigh of relief. The first one is definitely a good feeling for everybody.”

The Mustangs took an 8-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning and made two pitching changes en route to securing the win.

Junior Mark Villalobos caught a foul ball with the bases loaded and two outs to secure the victory.

Sophomore pitcher Nick Smith allowed 2 earned runs and a walk while scattering no more than 5 hits in six innings. He struck out five.

Marble Falls took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when two errors and a walk loaded the bases.

The Vikings tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning.

Senior Evan Nickowski gave the Mustangs the lead for good on a grand slam after 2 hits and a walk loaded the bases.

Lago Vista responded with 2 runs in the sixth inning only to have Marble Falls get the runs back in the seventh inning to set up Villalobos’ final out.

Porter emphasized the Mustangs’ mentality has remained the same – play with all they have and leaving the field knowing they gave their best.

“That’s a credit to these seniors and the kids who came before them,” he said. “And mathematically if we win out, we’re in the playoffs.”

That’s because Burnet (20-2, 10-0) continues its march through district play, adding a 10-7 victory at Georgetown Gateway April 9. Every win the Bulldogs get helps the Mustangs until the two teams face each other. That series is at Burnet Tuesday, April 16, and finishes in Marble Falls Friday, April 19.

But first the Mustangs welcome Lago Vista Friday, April 12, with the junior varsity playing 4:30 p.m. and the varsity at 7 p.m.

“It’s been a rough year, but the fight is still there,” Porter said. “We’re still freshman heavy. Our last three games have been our best as far as putting the pieces together. Guys are throwing more strikes and playing better defense. I thought we’d be better by the end of the season, and we are. I’m exceptionally proud of everyone. They still live and die with every at-bat in every game. I’m still very proud of what we’ve got.”

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CAPTION: Junior third baseman Mark Villalobos caught the final out against Lago Vista with the bases loaded and two outs to secure the win for the Mustangs. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro