BASEBALL: Mustangs look to steal road game

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School baseball team takes aim Tuesday at a Lampasas team struggling to find its identity.

The Mustangs (7-10, 1-1 in District 25-4A) must not be overconfident going into this game, particularly since head coach David Norwood believes the Badgers are better than the 0-2 record they’ve posted so far in league play.

He added Lampasas has lost to the top teams in district, Lake Travis and Pflugerville Hendrickson.

“I think the district is strong from top to bottom,” Norwood said. “We’re going to have to go out and play like we’re capable.”

In addition, Marble Falls split games with Lampasas in 2008, which contributed to the Mustangs missing the playoffs.

Norwood scouted the Badgers in the 17-0 loss to Burnet but said that score may be misleading.

First, it happened during the predistrict schedule, when pitching staffs are stretched because teams are playing multiple games in a short amount of time.

“Their pitching staff might have been worn out,” the Mustangs skipper said.

And second, Burnet happens to have a very good team, Norwood said.

Still, Lampasas has some talented players, he added.

“They have some kids who can put the ball in play,” the coach said.

Senior pitcher Cooper Bowen (2-2-1) will take to the mound. Bowen’s last start was the 9-7 loss to Hutto March 23.

Bowen will be extra motivated to play well because of his performance against the Hippos.

“That’s the truth,” Norwood said. “He does take a lot of pride.”

The Mustangs are coming off a 6-0 win against Killeen High Friday.

Norwood called it a complete game, noting Marble Falls demonstrated its mastery of all elements of the sport.

Junior pitcher Brian Hicks (4-2) went the distance and recorded eight strikeouts while facing 23 batters. He gave up one hit.

Marble Falls scored two runs in the first and did not score again until the fifth inning, when the Mustangs plated one, and three in the sixth.

“We played extremely well,” Norwood said. “We hit well, pitched well and had good timely hitting.”

After the Lampasas game, Marble Falls will enjoy three straight home games.

But the first two are against the top two teams in district, Hendrickson and Lake Travis.

Then the second round begins with a home date against Hutto April 9.

But before Marble Falls can enjoy three home dates, Norwood wants his team to earn a road victory.

“Anytime you go get one on the road, it’s a big help,” he said. “If you want to be in the playoffs, you have to beat the teams you’re supposed to.”