By Moses Leos III
Situational awareness in key moments helped the Hays Rebels navigate past the Austin Maroons 6-5 last Wednesday at Hays High.
For sophomore Cole Irby, who walloped a game-defining three-run RBI double, Hays’ win places the Rebels in good standing heading into the midpoint of district play.
“We’ve played a lot of games during spring break and to come out 4-1 in district is pretty good,” Irby said.
With the win, Hays holds sole possession of third place in 14-6A with 12 games left.
Austin High took an early 1-0 lead by manufacturing a run in the third inning. Hays fought to respond, earning chances to retaliate in the third and fourth frames. Hays couldn’t capitalize, leaving runners in scoring position in both innings.
Rebel batters worked to decipher Austin pitcher Nick Clawson, who went three plus innings. Clawson’s ability to use an effective fastball kept the Rebels off balance.
In turn, Hays struggled with its approach at the plate. Irby said the Rebels were having “long swings, and not being short and quick.” He said it allowed Clawson to “supply the power” and keep the Rebel offense from generating momentum.
Patience soon defined a Hays Rebel comeback in the fourth inning; an inning where Hays sent 11 batters to the plate, kick started when the Rebels loaded the bases on Clawson with no outs. Clawson struggled, unable to find the plate as he walked two batters in for runs with the bases loaded to give Hays a 2-1 lead.
Head coach David Null said battling with two strikes early in counts was the key.
“We had good quality at bats, and you know, we found a way to stay alive and end up working walks in a couple of situations,” he said.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Irby stepped up and rocked a double into the outfield. His drive cleared the bases, giving Hays a 5-1 advantage; the Rebels added a sixth run in the inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead.
“I know that all I had to do was square up a ball, put it up in the outfield and give my team a chance to put runs on the board,” Irby said.
Austin wouldn’t go away, scoring two runs in the fifth to cut the Rebel lead to 6-3. They drew closer when Tristian Alkis swatted a solo home run in the sixth inning.
Rebel pitcher Trey Dickerson put a stopper to the Maroon rally, striking out the side to end the threat. Null lauded Dickerson’s resiliency in the face of a possible momentum shift.
“Trey pulled a senior moment and he stepped up after something bad occurred,” Null said. “He stayed focused and got those guys.”
The Maroons manufactured one last chance for a comeback, loading the bases in the seventh inning.
But Hays closer Mike Gonzales, who earned the save, forced a fly-out to close the game.
Dickerson struck out 7 and gave up five runs on 8 hits.
