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The Elgin Wildcats varsity baseball team swept the Pflugerville Panthers in district play last week, taking the opener with an 11-0 run-rule victory Tuesday, April 1, and following up with a 6-1 win Friday, April 4.
Game 1
The Wildcats struck early in the opener, as senior Tyson McFarlin drew a leadoff walk and senior Jalen Owens followed with an RBI double to make it 1-0.
Both teams went scoreless in the second inning before Elgin broke the game open in the third.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two walks and a single. Seniors Cason Nalle and Jack Grames each drew bases-loaded walks to extend the lead to 3-0. Junior Bryce Barron then delivered a two-RBI single, and Grames later scored on a passed ball to cap a five-run inning for a 6-0 advantage. McFarlin led off the fourth with a triple and scored on Owens’ second RBI double of the game to make it 7-0. A sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 8-0.
In the fifth, McFarlin added a two-RBI triple and scored on a sac fly to secure the run-rule win at 11-0.
Owens earned the win on the mound, tossing five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five. McFarlin led the offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Game 2
The series finale started tight, with a scoreless first inning before Pflugerville took its first lead of the series on a fielder’s choice in the top of the second.
Elgin answered in the bottom half, tying the game on an RBI double from Grames, who later came around to score on a Panther error for a 2-1 lead.
After a quiet third inning, the Wildcats extended their advantage in the fourth. Owens ripped a two-RBI double to make it 4-1, then stole home to give Elgin a 5-1 cushion.
Joaquin Rodriguez added an RBI single in the fifth to seal the 6-1 win.
Grames went the distance on the mound, allowing just one run in a complete game while striking out six.
With the sweep, Elgin improved to 8-9-1 overall and 4-4 in district play.
The Wildcats returned to action at Pflugerville Connally after press time April 8, and will host the Cougars Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
