The Littlefield Wildcats’ varsity baseball team, run ruled the Sundown Roughnecks on Monday, 10-0, behind a stellar pitching performance from senior, Chip Green, who struck out 12 batters on the night, giving up just one hit and one walk.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 3-2 overall on the year.
Rayden Flores drew a lead-off walk for Sundown in the top of the first inning and Hayden Powell laid a bunt down the thirdbase line that was fielded by Gabe Mata, but the throw was not in time, however, Adam MacDonald would pop off the bag at first base, to catch Flores rounding second, as Rayden Flores was tagged out for the first out of the inning.
Rian Rose hit a shot towards shortstop, as Powell broke for second on the pitch, the ball was stopped by Ian Mendez at shortstop, but he could not get the out at first, leaving runners on first and second with one out. Green would get Ollen Pearson to go down looking and he got Andrew Rodriguez to strike out swinging to retire the side.
In the home-half of the first, Major McNeese went down looking for out number one, but Bradyn Redman picked him up with a triple over Nathan Flores in center field. Jakob Kirkland knocked an RBI-single through the right side to put the Wildcats in front, 1-0, and he stole second on a passed ball, before Green was hit by a pitch.
Jakob Kirkland and Green stole second and third on a double steal, before Dawson Adkins was thrown out at first on a dropped third strike for out number two. Jakob Kirkland would steal home on the pitcher, as Green advanced to third, making the score, 2-0. Gabriel Villanueva drew a walk, but during the next at bat, he would get into a rundown, allowing Green to score, before he was tagged out to end the inning with the score, 3-0.
Green retired the Roughnecks in order in the top of the second inning, as Nathan Flores, Braiden Lara and Joey Lopez all went down swinging to retire the side.
MacDonald got the bottom half of the inning going with a double to right field that was dropped on the right-field foul line by Hondo Rodriguez. Jayden Kirkland laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved MacDonald to third and Mendez followed it up with an RBI-triple to right-center field, pushing their lead to, 4-0.
Mendez broke on the pitch for home, as McNeese laid down a squeeze bunt to make the score, 5-0, with two outs. Redman drew a walk, but Jakob Kirkland flew out to Powell at first base to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning, Green got Hondo Rodriguez to go down looking, before Rayden Flores flew out to McNeese in deep center field, and Powell struck out swinging to retire the side.
Green got the home-half of the third going with a double to left field on an error by Lara. Adkins popped up to second base for out number one, but Green stole third on a past ball and Villanueva drew a walk and stole second on the play making it two runners in scoring position for the Wildcats. MacDonald knocked a two-RBI single through the left side to stretch their lead to, 7-0, and he stole second on a pitch, before Jayden Kirkland was walked.
The runners advanced on a passed ball, as Anastasio Ayala came on as the courtesy runner for the catcher. Mendez struck out looking for out number two, but McNeese drew a walk to load the bases, as Rose relieved Rayden Flores on the mound for Sundown. Redman drew a walk to bring in a run and Jakob Kirkland hit into a fielder’s choice to Andrew Rodriguez at third base, who went to second with the throw, but the ball was dropped, bringing in two runs to make the score, 10-0. Jakob Kirkland was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.
Green and the Wildcat defense would keep the Roughnecks quiet through the fourth and fifth innings to take the run-rule victory at home.
The Wildcats were in tournament play at Wichita Falls this weekend. Results were not available at press time. They will continue their season next Thursday when they play host for part of the Lamb County Classic.
one-time pay bump; instead it guarantees those raises in statute for future teachers once they reach the three and five year thresholds. “This will ensure that they don’t just start strong, but that they stay strong throughout their career,” said Creighton.
The bill would accomplish the new pay schedule by creating a new pool of money, or allotment, separate from the basic allotment, the controlling variable for how much per-student funding a district receives. Currently, about a third of the basic allotment is used to pay teacher salaries, which can force administrators to make tough decisions about how to pay for other, non-teaching staff as well as general operational needs. Creighton said that by creating a separate allotment dedicated to classroom teacher pay, school administrators will have more flexibility to increase pay for support staff and other needs.
The bill also expands eligibility for the state’s teacher merit pay program and increases bonus pay. The program has grown sharply since its inception in 2019: from 300 to 30,000 this year. The current program allows districts to identify their best teachers and pay them more across three tiers and can pay up to $32,000 more to teachers in the highest tier. The bill bumps up existing award amounts and creates a new minimum tier where qualified teachers can earn a bonus between $3,000 and $9,000.
The bill contains non-salary provisions for teachers as well, allowing teachers with young children to enroll them in a pre-kindergarten program within their own district at no cost. It also creates a liability shield for teachers trying to maintain a productive teaching environment. “[It] empowers teachers to be able to enforce discipline without fear of legal retaliation,” said Creighton.
Upon unanimous passage by the Senate, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick told members that should this bill pass the House and become law, it will mean that the average teacher salary in Texas will have risen from $54,000 in 2019 to $69,000. “We’re doing a lot, and we’re going to continue to focus on this, session after session, in the Texas Senate,” he said.
Creighton said this bill is just the first part of a legislative package he’s calling the Texas Teacher Bill of Rights. “This is a package of bills that will prop up and support and strengthen our Texas teachers across this state,” he said. Among other measures, Creighton said he will be filing a sweeping conduct bill later this week aimed at improving discipline in the classroom. According to teacher surveys, he said, Texas educators list classroom safety as their number one concern.