Defending state champion Magnolia West rallied to defeat Santa Fe 9-3 to sweep a Region III-5A semifinal series Thursday night at Rice University’s Reckling Park.
“What’s cool about this team is we have been through more adversity than any other team in the state and I truly believe that,” Magnolia West coach Travis Earles said. “We have lost a lot of games, not a lot of things went our way early in the season, in district, and we barely made it to the playoffs. Our guys know how to respond to adversity.”
Magnolia West, which has won eight playoff games in a row, will play Lake Creek or Friendswood in the regional final. The Lions tied their semifinal series at 1-1 Thursday night after defeating the Mustangs 6-4 to force a Game 3 at 7 p.m. Friday at Cy Falls High School.
Magnolia West (24-14-1) found itself down early against the Indians.
Santa Fe (27-14-1) led 3-1 after the first inning when Lucas Dunn tied the game at one with an RBI single and then Jonathan Baccinelli hit a two-out, two-run double.
Dawson Park hit a solo home run to right field to cut the Indians’ lead to 3-2 as the Mustangs’ bats started to come alive in the top of the fifth inning. Park finished the game 1-of-4 with two RBIs and a run. He also pitched four innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts.
With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Park walked to bring home a run and tie the game. A wild pitch by Santa Fe with two outs allowed the Mustangs to take a 4-3 lead. Trent Buckley then hit an RBI single to make it 5-3.
Magnolia West broke the game open in the top of the seventh with four runs on four hits, including two bunt singles. Trey Jeanes knocked in two runs with a double, his only hit in the game.
“We just continued to put pressure on the defense,” Earles said. “Our bunt game and we were being patient at the plate. Our baserunners get on and that’s when we want to put the pressure on the pitcher every inning.”
Right-hander Lucas Huff didn’t allow a hit, gave up two walks and had a strikeout in three innings to get the win.
“He just wants to finish out for his teammates,” Earles said. “That’s a high-pressure situation for a sophomore but he has been doing that for us all year. He wants to help us win whether it’s pitching or playing third or shortstop.”
If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site
