The Sudan Hornets’ varsity baseball team took down the Seagraves Eagles on Monday in their season-opener, 13-1.
With the win, the Hornets improve to 1-0 overall on the year. Cal Carter was able to retire the Eagles in order in the top of the first inning, as he got Devin Espino to grounded out to the mound for out number one. Zane Thompson struck out looking and Lucas Mijares struck out swinging to retire the side.
In the home-half of the first, Marcello King was hit by a pitch to give the Hornets a base runner. He stole second and third, before scoring on an error by Luis Quesada at third base to put the Hornets up, 1- 0, before Carter drew a walk. Caleb Groetken ripped an RBI-triple to center field to extend their lead to, 2-0.
Aybran Granados was thrown out at first on a dropped third strike for out number one, but Julian Salas singled through the left side to bring in a run, making the score, 3- 0. Angel Martinez came on as the courtesy runner for Salas, as he stole second on a wild pitch, before Eric Rosa drew a walk. Martinez and Rosa stole second and third before Dylan Provence hit a sacrifice grounder to Espino at shortstop, who got the out at first, as Martinez scored and Rosa advanced to third, pushing the lead to, 4-0, with two outs. Haden Provence would strike out looking to end the inning.
In the top of the second, Carter got Martinez to strike out swinging for out number one. Quezada singled on an error by Groetken in center field and Martinez drew a walk to put two runners on for the Eagles. Martinez was picked off at first by Carter for out number two, as Quezada stole third on the play.
Hamilton singled on an error by Carter, as a run scored, trimming the lead to, 4-1. Jayden Rodriguez drew a walk, but Jacob Espinoza struck out looking to retire the side.
In the bottom half of the inning, Kincaid Boehning drew a lead-off walk and stole second on error by Martinez behind the plate, before King struck out swinging for out number one. Carter and Groetken drew backto- back walks to load the bases for the Hornets and Granados was walked to bring in a run, making the score, 5-1.
Salas would followed it up with a grand slam to left field to clear the bases and stretch their lead to, 9-1. Rosa drew a walk to give Sudan another base runner, but Dylan Provence flew out to Rodriguez in center field and Haden Provence also flew out to Rodriguez in center field to end the inning.
The Hornet defense made quick work of the Eagles in the top of the third, and in the bottom half of the inning, Boehning drew a lead-off walk, before King struck out swinging for out number one. Carter drew a walk and Boehning stole third, before Boehning and Carter both scored on an error by Martinez behind the plate to push their lead to, 11-1.
Groetken popped out to the pitcher, Espino in foul territory for out number two, but Granados drew a walk and Salas was hit by a pitch, before Gabriel Lopez grounded out to Espino on the mound to end the inning. Sudan’s defense kept the Eagles quiet in the top of the fourth inning, and in the homehalf, Dylan Provence reached on an error by Gonzalez at first base. He would steal second and third, before Kyler Edwards drew a walk to put runners on the corners for the Hornets. Kooper Edwards would ground out to Gonzalez at first base, bringing in a run to make the score, 12-1, as Kyler Edwards advanced to second on the play.
King grounded out to the pitcher Thompson, as Kyler Edwards advanced to third on the play with two outs, and Carter roped an RBI-single to left field to extend the lead to, 13- 1. Groetken flew out to Salazar in center field to end the inning.
Kyler Edwards relieved Haden Provence on the mound in the top of the fifth inning, giving up a lead off walk to Gonzalez. However, he would recover, as he got Espino to strike out swinging for out number one. Thompson drew a walk and the runners stole second and third, before Mijares popped up to Granados in foul territory at first base for out number two. Kyler Edwards would get Martinez to strike out swinging to end the game, as Sudan took their season-opener, 13-1.
Carter pitched two innings giving up one run and two walks, while earning four strikeouts. Haden Provence pitched two innings, giving up two walks, while earning two strikeouts and Kyler Edwards closed out the final inning, giving up two walks, while earning two strikeouts.
The Hornets were in tournament play this weekend. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season on Monday with a game at Tulia. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.