TEXARKANA, Ark. (June 24, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats split their doubleheader against the Texarkana Rhinos at George Dobson Field on Tuesday evening. The Shadowcats opened the evening with a decisive 7-2 victory in the first game, shortened to seven innings due to Mid-America League rules for doubleheaders. However, the second game was cut short after five innings due to player sickness affecting both teams, with the Rhinos coming out on top 6-4. Ultimately splitting the overall series 2-2. Both teams were exhausted as they played four games of Baseball in two days.
Box Score (Game One)
Box Score (Game Two)
Game One Recap:
The game started promptly with no weather delays, setting the stage for a competitive matchup between the two teams. Texarkana struck first in the opening inning with N. Jansen’s two-run single, taking an early 2-0 lead.
Sherman responded swiftly in the second inning as A. Rangel’s double to left field brought home C. Carnes and J. Eccles, leveling the score at 2-2.
The Shadowcats surged ahead in the fourth inning with J. Eccles hitting a triple to center field, scoring R. Sessions. Shortly after, C. Carnes singled to drive in J. Eccles, giving Sherman a 4-2 lead. Z. Henry was hit by a pitch later in the inning, allowing C. Carnes to score and extending the lead to 5-2.
Sherman continued their offensive momentum into the fifth inning, adding two more runs. J. Eccles singled to center field to bring home R. Sessions and K. Hastings. A. Rangel then singled to left field, scoring R. Sessions once more, solidifying the Shadowcats’ lead at 7-2.
Game One Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 7, Hits: 15, Errors: 0, Left on Base: 9
Texarkana Rhinos:
Runs: 2, Hits: 5, Errors: 2, Left on Base: 5
Game One Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Jacob Eccles (RF, Southwestern University): 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R
Alex Rangel (SS, Dallas College Brookhaven): 4-for-4, 3 RBI
Tyler Carnes (P, Fort Scott Community College): W, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, 4.91 ERA
Texarkana Rhinos:
Neil Jansen (LF, San Jose St): 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Mason Sellers (P, Central Baptist): L, 4.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 7.41 ERA
Game Two Recap:
In the first inning, Sherman struck first as Easton Ford drove in Zach Henry with a groundout, giving the Shadowcats an early 1-0 lead. The Rhinos quickly responded with Neil Jansen capitalizing on a Sherman error to score Ian Guanzon and Gabriel Natividad, putting Texarkana ahead 2-1.
Sherman regained the lead in the third inning with Ryan Sessions hitting a double to bring in Kaleb Castillo. Easton Ford followed with a clutch single that scored both Ryan Sessions and Jacob Cruz, putting the Shadowcats up 4-2. However, the Rhinos fought back in the bottom of the third, as Gabriel Natividad tripled to drive in Wyatt Cunningham, and later scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 4-4.
In the fourth inning, Texarkana took the lead for good with Christian Rosales and Ian Guanzon each contributing RBI hits, pushing the score to 6-4 in favor of the Rhinos.
Game Two Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 4, Hits: 5, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 2
Texarkana Rhinos:
Runs: 6, Hits: 4, Errors: 0, Left on Base: 5
Game Two Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Zach Henry (CF, University of Texas at Arlington): 1-for-3, 1 R
Ryan Sessions (RF, Redlands Community College): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 R
Easton Ford (1B, Redlands Community College): 1-for-3, 3 RBI
Texarkana Rhinos:
Wyatt Cunningham (CF, Montevallo): 0-for-2, 2 R, 1 BB
Gabriel Natividad (2B, San Joaquin Delta): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 2 R
Next Up:
The Shadowcats travel to Fort Smith to face the Marshals at Crowder Field on Monday at 7:05 p.m. in a pivotal matchup for the Mid America League’s third seed.
Follow us on Twitter at @Sherman_M_A for live game updates.
