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The Elgin Wildcats big sixth- and seventh-inning helped them complete the comeback and take down the Bastrop Bears on the road on Friday, April 14.
The Wildcats would defeat the Bears 12-6 and gave the Wildcats their fifth district win of the season.
The Wildcats were the visiting team, so they were first on offense, and they made the most of the opportunity. After two walks, Justin Strong stepped into the box looking to make a play.
Strong would end up hitting a double, which would score a run for the Wildcats early in the first inning. With no outs and runners on second and third, the Wildcats called for a sacrifice bunt from Nate Lewis to try to score more runs.
The bunt was executed to perfection by both runners scoring giving the Wildcats a 3-0 lead and only one out. The Bears were not going to let the Wildcats just run away with the game on their home field though and quickly secured the final two outs to get started on offense.
The Bears and Wildcats would then hold each other scoreless until the third inning. The third inning started with the Wildcats extending their lead after a wild pitch allowed a run to score.
Now sitting with a 4-0 lead, the Bears needed to respond offensively and they did it in a big way. The Bears came into the bottom of the third with their backs against the wall. But after a double,sacrifice fly ball, a single and a couple of walks we had a whole different ball game.
Thanks to the big plays, the Bears had evened things up on the scoreboard at 4-4 and were looking to fully seize control of the game. The Bears would keep their momentum on defense getting out of the top of the fourth early to get back on offense.
The Bears would get their first and only lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth. The Bears would take advantage of back-to-back errors and a single to score two more runs, giving them a 6-4 lead.
The Wildcats were now the ones with their backs against the wall and after being held scorelessin the fifth, the Wildcats offense found a groove. Luke Gomez hit a single and after a dropped third strike and a error, Gomez would score, and it is a 6-5 ball game.
The Bears would then walk the next two batters, which loaded the bases and opened the door for Alex Gamez to make a big play. Gamez would record a base hit, which would score all three runners and effectively give the Wildcats the lead of 8-6.
The Wildcats would keep the Bears offense at bay in the bottom of the sixth only to resume their offensive onslaught. A single and a hit by a pitch put runners on first and second base when Strong again made his presence felt.
Strong would hit a triple bringing in both runners putting the Wildcats up 10-6. Three consecutive walks would bring String home to make it an 11-6 ball game, followed by another hit by a pitch to score another run making the final score 12-6.
After sweeping the Bears in their district series they shift their focus to their next series against the Pflugerville Panthers on Tuesday, April 18, and Friday, April 21.
