Sherman, Texas (May 26, 2024) – The Sherman Shadowcats split in the double header against the Piney Woods Timberhogs on Wednesday night. Piney Woods took game one 9-3 as Sherman took game two 5-4.
GAME ONE
Tanner Carter (Tarleton State) got the start on the mound and was given the loss for the Shadowcats, while Jordan Hodges was named the Timberhogs starter and was awarded the win.
The scoring started in the top of the first as the Timberhogs brought one run home. Piney Woods’ run came from a Juan Murrillo (Padres farm system) RBI groundout to score Karsten Fidler (Stephen F. Austin) making the score 1-0.
Sherman responded in the bottom of the second as Alex Rangel (Dallas College Brookhaven) hit a sacrifice fly to right field allowing Korson Hastings to tag up and come home tying the game 1-1 after two.
In the top of the third, the Timberhogs found their stride as they scored four runs. Fidler got the scoring started with a sacrifice fly to bring home Cermodrick Bland (Stephen F. Austin). Corbin Montayne (Ranger JC) quickly followed with a single to center field, scoring Luke Land (Hill College). Murillo then scored on a wild pitch before Giancarlo Maldonado (Stephen F. Austin) drew a bases loaded walk that brought home Montayne making the new score 5-1.
The Shadowcats tallied on another run in the bottom of the fourth as Rangel smacked an RBI groundout that scored Hastings to bring the score to 5-2 after four.
Piney Woods brought another two runs across home plate in the top of the fifth as Colin Martin (Abilene Christian) came home on an error by Shadowcats pitcher Kellen Curtis (Vernon JC), and Land hit an RBI groundout to score Lukas Hinze (Phoenix College) to make it 7-2.
Gavin Speirs (Howard College) hit a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth off former minor league pitcher Wilton Castillo (Padres farm system), changing the score to 7-3.
The Timberhogs threw on some insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Bland hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Hinze, and Murillo smacked an RBI single that scored Maldonado to make the final score 9-3.
GAME TWO
After the 9-3 loss, the Shadowcats were aiming for a split in game two. Ty Howry (Cisco College) was named the starter for Sherman while Gage Goddard (Arkansas State-Mountain Home) was on the mound for the Timberhogs and was given the loss.
Carson Baugh (Texas Tech) made his Shadowcats debut, earning the win while going one and a third innings, giving up one run and one hit while striking out four batters. The two-way player Easton Ford (Redlands College) came in clutch making his debut on the mound securing the save going two innings, while allowing two hits, giving up no runs, and striking two batters out.
Piney Woods started hot for the second game in a row, scoring Bland after he attempted to steal second. However, the throw from Shadowcats catcher Dillon Flores (St. Edwards) ricocheted off a Shadowcats fielder and ended up in center field, allowing Bland to come all the way home and making the score 1-0.
Sherman once again responded in the bottom of the second, this time on a Flores RBI single to score Zach Henry (UT Arlington) which knotted it up 1-1.
The Timberhogs pulled ahead in the top of the fourth scoring two runs. A fielder’s choice hit by Hinze that brought in Kahne Nolen (Tyler JC) scored the first run, as the second was brought in by Bland who singled to score Hinze and make it 3-1, Timberhogs lead.
Tyson Woodland (Centenary) stepped up for Sherman in the fourth inning and smoked a clutch two RBI single to bring in Rangel and Anderson Acinger (LSU-Shreveport), tying it up 3-3.
Piney Woods answered immediately in the top of fifth as Martin singled up the middle scoring Murillo and taking back the Timberhogs lead 4-3.
The Shadowcats were looking for their first lead in the series, and it finally came in the bottom of the fifth. Acinger shredded a two-RBI single that brought home Hastings and Ford, which eventually ended up being the game winning play, making the score 5-4 in favor of the Shadowcats.
Ford came in for the final two innings on the mound as he was the designated hitter during game two. Ford saw four batters in the top of the sixth as Fidler reached on an error but was left stranded. In the top of the seventh Ford was in a tricky situation after giving up two base hits putting runners on the corners with no outs, Ford then forced a groundout that turned into a double play, all while holding the runner at third base. The game ended as Ford struck out Martin as he earned the save, and a Gatorade bath.
The Shadowcats move to 3-2, while the Timberhogs go to 1-5. Next up for the Shadowcats, they go on a six game road stand with the first series against the Joplin Outlaws starting Thursday, May 30th.
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