SHERMAN, Texas (July 3, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats began their four-game home series against the Texarkana Rhinos with a tough 14-8 loss at Veterans Field on Wednesday night. The defeat comes on the heels of an 11-game road trip.
Sherman took an early lead in the first inning when Center Fielder Zach Henry (University of Texas at Arlington) scored on a groundout by First Baseman Easton Ford (Redlands Community College). However, the Rhinos quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Gabriel Natividad (San Joaquin Delta College) and Left Fielder Wyatt Cunningham (Montevallo) scored on an error by Sherman’s shortstop, putting Texarkana ahead 2-1.
In the third inning, Sherman regained the lead. Left Fielder Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College) doubled to center field, driving in Third Baseman Kaleb Castillo (Western Texas College) to tie the game. Catcher Cole Carnes (Fort Scott Community College) then singled, bringing Sessions and Right Fielder Jacob Cruz (Navarro Junior College) home, pushing the score to 4-2.
The Rhinos quickly evened the score with Natividad’s RBI triple in the bottom of the third. A wild pitch allowed him to score, tying the game at 4-4.
Texarkana pulled ahead in the fourth inning. A single by Designated Hitter Christian Rosales (Moraine Valley Community College) drove in First Baseman Kyle DeKerf (Roosevelt University). A sacrifice fly by Second Baseman Ian Guanzon (San Joaquin Delta College) brought in Cunningham, giving the Rhinos a 6-4 lead.
Sherman made a final push in the fifth inning. A two-run homer by Designated Hitter Korson Hastings (Trinity University) narrowed the gap to 6-5. Despite their efforts, the Shadowcats couldn’t hold off Texarkana’s relentless offense.
In the seventh inning, the Rhinos scored eight runs, highlighted by a grand slam from Left Fielder Neil Jansen (San Jose State University), which sealed the game. Sherman scored once more in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Texarkana’s powerful performance.
Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 8, Hits: 11, Errors: 4, Left on Base: 10
Texarkana Rhinos:
Runs: 14, Hits: 11, Errors: 4, Left on Base: 11
Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
CF Zach Henry (University of Texas at Arlington): 3-for-5, 2 R
DH Korson Hastings (Trinity University): 2-for-4, 1 HR, 5 RBI
3B Rey Plasencia (Western Oklahoma State College): 1-for-4, 2 RBI
Texarkana Rhinos:
LF Neil Jansen (San Jose State University): 2-for-5, 1 HR, 6 RBI
SS Gabriel Natividad (San Joaquin Delta College): 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI
DH Christian Rosales (Moraine Valley Community College): 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Next Up:
The Shadowcats are set to take on the Rhinos in game two of the four-game series tomorrow, July 4, at 7:05 p.m. Sherman aims to rebound and even the series as they continue their homestand.
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