Johnson City to play for baseball state title

ROUND ROCK — For five innings, the Johnson City High School baseball team looked like it could do no wrong in the Class 1A state semifinal against Stamford on June 8.

The Eagles earned four runs in the second inning, one in the third and one in the sixth to take a 6-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the sixth, Stamford scored five runs off four hits and two errors.

In the process, Johnson City senior pitcher Laramie Blackwell exited the mound, giving way to Garrett DeLeon to finish it off and ensuring the Eagles clung to a one-run lead headed into the final inning.

Head coach Randy Rutherford, who as the third base coach was jumping in the air, cheering on his players and encouraging them to finish the job, said when his athletes went to the dugout, no one said a word.

PHOTO 1: Johnson City first baseman Garrett Deleon tags out Stamford’s Jaime West thanks to a throw from catcher Aaron Humphrey for the second out of the first inning in the Class 1A state semifinal game. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro

PHOTO 2: Johnson City third baseman Dylan Carter attempts to throw out the runner at first base after a bunt in the Eagles’ win against Stamford in the Class 1A state semifinal baseball game.