Mustangs must understand Kangaroos’ power, coach says
MARBLE FALLS — The last time the Marble Falls High School baseball team was in Killeen, the Mustangs scored 30 runs and gave up only two in a lopsided victory against the Kangaroos.
But that was in 2009, and since then, the Kangaroos have not allowed the Mustangs (9-12, 3-3 in District 25-4A) to score more than 20 runs in the last two contests.
And those games were played in the comfort of Scearce Baseball Field, the Mustangs’ home stadium.
Now the Mustangs will face the Kangaroos at 7 p.m. Tuesday on Killeen’s home turf.
“It’s a huge district game Tuesday on the road in Killeen,” head coach David Norwood said. “It’s a rough atmosphere there – new umpires, different fields.”
The biggest hurdle is simply Killeen itself, the coach added.
“Killeen is a much better team,” the coach said. “They have been competing.”
Pflugerville Hendrickson, the league’s top-ranked team, beat the Kangaroos, 12-2. Hutto, the squad that completed the season-sweep of the Mustangs Friday, defeated Killeen, 5-0. Lake Travis beat the Kangaroos, 6-1, Friday.
As for Tuesday’s game, the coach is unsure who will start at pitcher.
Junior Brian Hicks (3-2-1) has been a starter and middle reliever. The junior made two appearances as a middle reliever last week. He picked up the save against Lake Travis, but lost 5-0 Friday to Hutto.
The Mustangs struggled at the plate and the Hippos were able to take advantage of timely hitting and smart plays to generate runs.
Norwood is hoping his players understand the importance of being ready to play each time they take the field.
But it’s crucial they realize the Kangaroos are much better than the last time they were in Killeen, he added.
“If we don’t go there ready to play, we’ll have a tough night,” Norwood said.