The Hays Rebels hosted the Westlake Chaparrals Tuesday in a district baseball game filled with hits, but also mistakes.
Westlake came away with a 7-3 win over Hays, which snapped the Rebels’ three-game win streak, as the Chaps racked up 13 hits to go along with their five errors.
Westlake started things off in the top of the first inning by getting its lead off batter on base. After a sacrifice bunt, Westlake followed by getting its next four batters on base. Westlake tallied four runs in the first inning as a result of RBIs from Canaan Clark Bateman, Patrick Gilligan, and Daniel Hernandez.
The Rebels fired back in the bottom of the first inning as they got a rally going, kick started by a single from starting pitcher Mike Gonzales.
He was then moved over to second base on a Westlake error. Gonzales and Hays’ Tyler Wilson both scored on an error to shrink Westlake’s lead to 4-2 after one full inning.
After both starting pitchers gave up multiple runs in the first inning, they settled down and started getting batters out.
Gonzales threw just seven total pitches in the second inning and got all three Chap batters out in order.
Westlake pitcher Diego Cruz calmed down as well as he eventually pitched a complete game, giving up one earned run.
Westlake extended the lead to 5-2 in the third inning after Gonzales struck out the first two batters, but then became the victim of a Westlake rally.
The Chaparrals added another run in the fifth frame to take a 6-2 lead before the Rebels answered back.
Gonzales was brought home on a Brandon Hunter sacrifice RBI groundout. It was the only earned run of the game for the Rebels, but they were unable to add to the momentum of the inning. The run brought the score to 6-3.
But Hays couldn’t capitalize with runners on the base paths, which was evident in the seven Rebels that were left stranded on base in the game.
Westlake added one more run in the seventh inning after three straight singles, which gave them a comfortable four run lead going into the final inning.
Cruz’s ability on the mound stymied Hays’ offense, as they couldn’t respond in the bottom of the seventh.
He was in control almost all game long, and when Hays did get the bat on the ball, they hit it right at the Chap defenders.
Hays falls to 4-2 in district play after coming in to the game on a three game win streak. They will look to bounce back on Thursday when they travel to Bowie.
