By Jackson Vaerewyck
SHERMAN, Texas (Aug. 6, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats, lost 8-2 to the Piney Woods TimberHogs in the first game of their four-game series, that includes two doubleheaders on Tuesday night at Veterans Field. However the Cats were able to split the doubleheader as they came away with a victory in Game two, 9-7 over the TimberHogs, making the series 1-1. Their playoff chances are still slim, but are very much alive, with the Mid America League’s fourth seeded Fort Smith Marshals losing their game against the Joplin Outlaws tonight.
Game One Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 2, Hits: 7, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 9
Piney Woods Timberhogs:
Runs: 8, Hits: 10, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 5
Game One Scoring Summary:
In the first inning, the Timberhogs took an early lead when RF Juan Murillo (Padres RK) grounded out to second base, driving in CF A.J. Smith, Jr. (Bethune-Cookman). The Shadowcats quickly responded when RF Tanner Reaves (Blinn College, transferring to LSU) scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 1-1.
In the second inning, 1B Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College) hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing 2B Gavin Quimby (Howard College) to score, giving the Shadowcats a 2-1 lead.
The Timberhogs tied the game in the fifth inning when P Jaxsen Derry (Stephen F. Austin State University) scored on a wild pitch. Moments later, CF Smith, Jr. struck out swinging but reached first base on an error by the catcher, allowing SS Noah Paddie (Coffeyville Community College) to score an unearned run, putting Piney Woods ahead 3-2.
The Timberhogs broke the game open in the sixth inning with a series of runs. LF Gabriel Flores (Stephen F. Austin State University) homered to left field, adding an RBI. 3B Dawson Albin (South Arkansas College) scored on a wild pitch, making it 5-2. 2B Charles Chatman III (Knox College) doubled to left field, driving in Paddie and Derry with two unearned runs. CF Smith, Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Chatman III to score, sealing the 8-2 victory for the Timberhogs.
Game Two Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 9, Hits: 9, Errors: 2, Left on Base: 7
Piney Woods Timberhogs:
Runs: 7, Hits: 9, Errors: 1, Left on Base: 6
Game Two Scoring Summary:
In the first inning, the Timberhogs took an early 1-0 lead when LF Gabriel Flores (Stephen F. Austin) hit a sacrifice fly, allowing C Charles Bland (Knox College) to score.
The Shadowcats quickly responded in the bottom of the first. RF Tanner Reaves (Blinn College) scored when DH Easton Ford (Redlands Community College) doubled to center field. 3B Anderson Acinger (LSU-Shreveport) then singled, driving in Ford and giving Sherman a 2-1 lead.
Sherman extended their lead in the second inning when RF Reaves singled to left field, bringing in 2B Tyson Woodland (Centenary College of Louisiana) and LF Matthew Herrera (Centenary College).
In the third inning, the Timberhogs narrowed the gap with a two-run homer by RF Juan Murillo (Padres RK), making it 4-3. However, the Shadowcats answered back with C Cayden Earnhart (ETBU) hitting a solo home run to center field.
The Shadowcats continued their offensive push in the fourth and fifth innings. RF Reaves singled to center field, driving in LF Herrera in the fourth. In the fifth, 2B Woodland singled to right field, scoring 3B Acinger. LF Herrera later scored on a wild pitch, and DH Ford singled to left field, driving in 2B Woodland.
The Timberhogs mounted a comeback in the sixth inning, scoring four runs. SS Noah Paddie (South Arkansas College) doubled to center field, driving in two runs, and CF A.J. Smith Jr. (Bethune-Cookman) hit a sacrifice fly. C Bland doubled to right field, driving in the final run, but the Shadowcats’ defense held firm to secure the win.
Doubleheader Key Performers:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Ethan Nixon (P, Austin College)
Game 2: Pitched 7.0 innings, allowing 9 hits and 7 runs, with 7 strikeouts.
Tanner Reaves (RF, Blinn College)
Game 2: Went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs, 2 walks, and a .750 batting average.
Easton Ford (DH, Redlands Community College)
Game 2: Went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a double.
Piney Woods Timberhogs:
Gage Goddard (P, Arkansas State University Mountain Home)
Game 1: Tossed 7.0 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs. Struck out 4, walked 3, and had an ERA of 6.48.
Juan Murillo (RF, Padres RK)
Game 2: Hit a two-run homer, and went 3-for-4, with 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Noah Paddie (SS, South Arkansas College)
Game 2: Went 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs and a double in the sixth inning comeback attempt.
Next Up:
The Shadowcats aim to bounce back in the second night of two doubleheaders, as Games three and four are tomorrow starting at 4:30 p.m. Follow our Twitter at @Sherman_M_A for live game updates.
