BASEBALL: Mustangs’ late rally not enough against Hippos in 9-7 defeat
HUTTO — By the end of the fifth inning against Hutto Tuesday, Marble Falls High School head baseball coach David Norwood had enough.
The Mustangs (6-10, 0-1 in District 25-4A play) gave up two more runs, allowing the Hippos (13-4, 1-0 in district) to take a 9-0 lead.
He had emphasized batting to his players until that inning.
But before they gathered bats to begin the sixth, Norwood changed tactics.
“I challenged their character a little bit,” he said.
Then the Mustangs showed the fight and grit their coach wanted, scoring seven runs and putting fear in the hearts of the Hippos.
“It was an admirable trait to see the kids battle back,” he said. “But we have to learn you can’t allow the previous play or pitch to affect the next one.”
Marble Falls was able to record some infield singles early to put pressure on Hutto.
“Their pitcher struggled with control,” Norwood said.
The deficit, however, began immediately. Marble Falls gave up two runs in the first and five in the second.
Norwood saw his Mustangs began to hang their heads, already accepting the outcome.
So he reminded them there were still plenty of innings to play, he said.
“Anything can happen at any time,” he said. “Baseball is a game of momentum swings.”
The Hippos took advantage of 13 free bases on either walks, being hit by pitches or errors.
“They hit the ball well,” Norwood said. “They scored their first two runs on back-to-back doubles. The second or third lead-off batter reached by error. Our two errors came in the same inning.”
Still, the Mustangs believed they were had a chance leading into the seventh inning.
After a 5-3 groundout, senior Cooper Bowen singled to get on base. But a 6-4-3 double play ended the contest.
The Mustangs have a tendency to win with two factors in play, the coach said.
The first is having success early, and the other is if the lead-off batter gets on base.
“We’ve been successful in those games,” Norwood said.
His next objective is helping the players understand they must find ways to ensure one bad play doesn’t lead to another.
He noted many of the players competed in their first district game on the varsity level.
“As we continue to play in district, we’ll get better at that,” the coach said.
Senior pitcher Justin Garcia came in as a reliever and pitched 1 1/3 innings.
Garcia, who has been hurt, had not pitched since late February during the Marble Falls Classic.
“He came in and got us out of a jam and looked extremely sharp,” Norwood said.
Sophomore Derek Steffek also came in.
“Derek pitched very well,” the coach said.
Last season the Mustangs and Hippos split the series. That forced a seeding game for third and fourth place.
Norwood reminded his players one game does not decide anything.
But they must have better starts and keep their spirits throughout the contest, he said.
“Unfortunately, it was too little, too late,” he said. “There’s always a possibility when you battle back and show character.”