Staff report

A pair of rain delays Saturday didn’t stop the Hays Rebels from not only notching a key district win against one of their rivals, but also maintain their standing in the playoff chase. 

Six runs scored in the seventh frame provided the Rebels enough separation to beat the Westlake Chaparrals 8-4. 

Westlake took a 1-0 lead in the second inning before Hays battled back to tie the game in the fourth frame. 

The Rebels tallied a run in the fifth inning to take a slim 2-1 lead. 

Westlake, however, countered by plating three runs in the bottom of the fifth frame to take a 4-1 advantage. 

Hays exploded with a six run salvo in the seventh inning to pull away. 

The Rebel offense scattered 10 hits on Westlake pitching. Senior Mike Gonzales started the game on the mound but earned a no decision, went 3 for 3 at the plate. Gonzales went five innings in his outing. 

Rebel junior Justin Peevey went 2 for 3, scoring two runs and also had an RBI. Hays junior Cole Irby finished with two RBIs, while sophomore Clayton Cathey and junior Bryce Symmes finished with one RBI. 

Hays’ Dallas Vega earned the win by going one inning and tossing two strikeouts.