Marble Falls baseball in close fight for first against Dripping Springs

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — A fight for first place in the District 25-4A baseball race between Marble Falls and Dripping Springs high schools begins 7 p.m. April 9 at Dripping Springs.

And Mustangs head coach J.T. Blair said it’s a challenge his players look forward to.

“It’s a big week,” he said. “Our kids will be ready to play.”

So just how have the programs — from high schools that are the smallest in enrollment in their district — risen to the top?

Not surprisingly, by sharing many of the same traits.

Both teams have already clinched playoff berths. They each enjoyed an eight-game winning streak as district play started. They each swept Leander Vandegrift and Leander Rouse, and they both took two of three games against Cedar Park Vista Ridge.

Marble Falls won the series against Cedar Park High 2-1, while Dripping Springs won the series against Leander 2-1.

Good baseball teams have to field and hit to rack up wins. However, the Mustangs and Tigers have been exceptional in one other facet of the game: pitching.

Both squads have at least one ace pitcher and a compliment of pitchers who can get outs.

Being opportunistic also played a factor in the outcomes, and both squads have done that.

But no matter how closely you dissect the numbers, Marble Falls senior Stacy Heinatz said fans can count on the Mustangs to continue to give maximum effort.

“We’re going to come out and play hard as a team,” he said.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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Dripping Springs averages 6.08 runs in district play; Marble Falls averages 5.08 runs in district play.

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Dripping Springs – seniors Kyle Johnson (2-1 in district play) and Austin Kufrovich (5-0), junior Chance Callihan (4-1; recorded 11 strikeouts against Vista Ridge and outdueled Dylan Bein, who signed to play for Texas State University next season), all starters; closer – junior Lake Dabney (was the starter in the Game 1 win against Vandegrift and earned the save in Game 1 against Leander); other pitchers include seniors Blake Braun and Weston Ferna. Combined, the pitchers allow district opponents an average of 3 runs and 5.12 hits a game. Marble Falls – seniors Cole Ridgely (7-1-1) and Cody Goodman (4-3) and junior Garrett Winslett (3-0), all starters; middle reliever Hunter Dooley (1-0) and closer Stacy Heinatz (2-0). Combined, the pitchers allow district opponents 2.75 runs per contest.

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Errors. The Tigers average 2.5 errors per district game but have overcome them because of their offensive production and pitching. Marble Falls averages about 2 a game but have overcome them because of their timely pitching and defense.

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Free bases — batters’ patience at the plate in stretching pitch counts to get walks will be huge. Aggressive base running – look for runners to test the catcher’s arm strength and accuracy in stealing bases and for runners to attempt to take extra bases on hits.

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Marble Falls is 18-4 overall and 10-2 in District 25-4A; Dripping Springs is 16-4 overall and 10-2 in district play.

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Marble Falls at Dripping Springs at the Sports and Recreation Park, 27148 RR 12 in Dripping Springs, 7 p.m. April 9; Marble Falls vs. Dripping Springs, 7 p.m. April 12 at Scearce Field, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls; Marble Falls at Dripping Springs at the Sports and Recreation Park, 2 p.m. April 13

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