Sherman, Texas (June 7th, 2024) – The Sherman Shadowcats dropped game two of a four game series against the Abilene Flying Bison on Friday night 11-7.
The Shadowcats picked up a run in the home half of the first inning taking a lead over the Flying Bison for the first time this season. Easton Ford (Redlands CC) ripped a single into right field to bring in Zach Henry (UT Arlington) and make the score 1-0.
Abilene fought right back as they scored two runs in the top of the second. The first came from a Nick Miller (Frank Phillips) groundout back to the pitcher with the bases loaded to allow enough time for Will Magids (Texas Tech) to score. Jake Illingworth brought the second home as he knocked a single into left field with the bases full to bring home Tyler Garritano (Texas State) which made the score 2-1 Flying Bison.
The Flying Bison kept rolling in the top of the third as Cooper Markle (Nebraska) smoked a two run shot over the right field wall to bring in Garritano and make the score 4-1.
The Shadowcats clawed their way back into the game in the bottom of the third as Ford hit another RBI single, this time to score Tyson Woodland (Centenary) and Ryan Sessions (Redlands CC) followed with an RBI single to bring in Korson Hastings (Trinity 24’) and cutting the deficit to 4-3 Abilene still on top.
A sacrifice fly for Magids and the Flying Bison brought in John Maldonado Jr. (Grayson College) in the top of the fourth to make it 5-3.
The Shadowcats roared back over the next four innings as Henry hit an RBI single in the fourth to bring in Cayden Earnhart (East Texas Baptist). In the sixth Henry kept things rolling as he smacked a game changing two-run homerun to score Jacob Eccles (Southwestern) taking a 6-5 lead. That would not be all for the Shadowcats as Anderson Acinger joined the party with a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh to bring the score to 7-5 Sherman.
Sherman’s pitching during their stellar offensive output also was cooking as Tyler Carnes (Fort Scott CC) and Cade Sims (Redlands CC) combined for a 12 up 12 down four inning stretch.
The Shadowcats maintained their two run lead heading into the ninth inning where they only needed three outs to end the ballgame with a win. Abilene wouldn’t let them off easy as they put on a clinic six runs to take a commanding four run lead. Mason Kryznarich (Three Rivers CC) grounded into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded but everyone was safe as Maldonado scored. Abilene scored another two runs off of a two RBI single to score Wittau and Illingworth taking the lead making it 8-7. Kryznarich then scored on a wild pitch before Ian McCracken (National Park College) shredded a two RBI double into left field to score Garritano, and Magids to make it 11-7 Flying Bison.
In the bottom of the ninth the Shadowcats came up short after leaving two runners on base as Trey Gomes (McMurry) struck out three shadowcat batters to end the game with the final score 11-7 Abilene.
The winning pitcher for the Flying Bison was Starling Beverding (East Central College) and the losing pitcher was Cade Sims.
The Shadowcats look to bounce back in game three of the series on Saturday, June 8th, at Veterans Field with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
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