Boys WS: Texas strands 13 in 9-1 loss to NC
morning at the Dixie Boys World Series in Beaufort, SC. (Photo by John
Krueger)
BEAUFORT, S.C. -- The Texas All-Stars ran into their first big problem at the Dixie Boys World Series on Sunday night and Monday. Unfortunately, the problem in this contest turned out to be themselves.
No, the problem wasn't the severe lightning that brightened up the sky and forced the game to be postponed after a two-hour delay Sunday night with the score tied 1-1 at the end of the first frame. And it wasn't the rains that came approximately 30 minutes after the lightning started under the threatening skies.
The biggest hiccup for the team from Center was the 'Riders inability to push runs across the plate. The overnight rains caused damp conditions for the all-dirt infields here at Burton Wells Park, which made the infield much slower and the ball much heavier. Texas still hit the ball relatively well, banging out seven hits. But the long-ball hitters were kept at bay as the No. 3 and 4 hitters in the lineup combined for a 1-for-7 game as North Carolina handed Texas a 9-1 setback Monday morning in second-round play.
A statistic that was even more staggering was the 13 baserunners - six of which were in scoring position - that Texas left standing on the base paths. Every time the Roughriders managed to put runners on, they couldn't get a rally sustained enough to push them across the plate.
"We just couldn't push the runs in when we had the chance and in big games you have to do that," said Texas head coach Roscoe McSwain. "We knew the ball was heavy and that it wouldn't roll as fast because of the dirt being wet, so in that instance you have to concentrate on keeping it on the ground and not worry about the home run ball.
"We just couldn't put the hits together when we had the opportunity and that was the difference in the ballgame."
The loss puts Texas in the losers' bracket of the tourney and matches the 'Riders against the Louisiana All-Stars tonight at 8 p.m. (EST) in an elimination game. Louisiana fell to Mississippi, 6-5, Monday morning in another game that was suspended Sunday night. In the other game, Beaufort County came from behind in the bottom of the seventh to stop South Carolina, 2-1.
Texas and North Carolina both finished the game with seven hits, but it was mistakes that cost Texas. North Carolina took advantage of three walks and two hits batters and a wild pitch and passed ball to help advance runners.
The Roughriders' Colton McSwain, who started the game on Sunday night, couldn't find his rhythm on the mound on Monday. He lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on one hit with three strikeouts and three walks. He also hit a batter. McSwain took the loss.
Kam Owens came on in relief and lasted 2.2 frames, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits with one strikeout, one walk and a hit batter.
Tanner Murdock finished, producing the best results. Murdock allowed just two hits while fanning two and not giving up any runs in 1.2 innings.
McSwain and Adam Reeves, who both hit home runs on the opening night - which was played under much dryer conditions - hit the ball out of the infield four times. But the ball didn't carry and none of their attempts went out of the park this time. Reeves went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. McSwain was hitless.
Josh Burns posted a 2-for-3 night, while drawing a walk. Taylor Tomlin, Caiden Rainbolt, Dalton Horton and Tanner Murdock each added a single to the attack. Rainbolt also drew a walk and C.J. Garner was hit by a pitch to help in the offensive effort. Alec Lucas was also hit by a pitch and walked once. He scored the squad's only run during the first inning on Sunday night.
But Texas left the bases loaded in the fourth inning and two runners on in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings, which ended up being the team's demise.
Chris Graham led the North Carolina attack with a 1-for-4 night, tagging a double, driving in a pair of runs and scoring another.
North Carolina scored six runs (two unearned) in an all-important second inning and put the Texas squad on its heels. The 'Riders never regrouped fully as North Carolina stretched the 7-1 lead with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth to take the victory.
TEXAS-NORTH CAROLINA LINESCORE
Texas 100 000 0 = 1 7 3
North Carolina 160 110 x = 9 7 1
WP: Gray Cheers: 3.2INN 1R 0ER 5H 7SO 1BB 1HP
LP: Colton McSwain: 1.2INN 4R 3ER 1H 3SO 3BB 1HP
2B: Chris Graham (North Carolina).
3B: None.
HR: None.