Wildcats fall at home to Texas High
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The Sulphur Springs Wildcats hosted Texas High Friday, looking to get into the win column for the first time in district action. Earlier in the week the Wildcats dropped their district opener, falling to Mount Pleasant by a final score of 9-1.
Sulphur Springs wasted no time setting the tone for the game, with Evan Moore throwing a one-two-three inning in the top of the first. The Wildcats offense matched their pitching in the bottom of the frame, with Colt Sillman getting things started with a one-out walk.
Later in the inning Cole Haney and Ty Stroud each drew walks, loading the bases with two outs. Matthew Mitchell came through with a single, driving in a pair of runs to put the Wildcats on the board first. Brady Driver also drew a walk in the frame, but the scoring stopped there, with Sulphur Springs taking a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately for Sulphur Springs, their lead wouldn’t last long, as Texas High answered back with a huge rally. After a leadoff single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, Texas High came up with a two-run double. From there the floodgates opened, as they went on to score eight runs in the frame.
Despite getting down early, the Wildcats never gave up, answering back with another run in the bottom of the second to cut it to a five-run deficit. In the bottom of the third the Wildcats kept the bats going, adding another run to their tally when Mayer Millsap hit a single to bring in Driver.
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Later in the frame Colby Albritton walked to load the bases, before Sillman hit an RBI single to drive in another run. A sacrifice fly from Riley Hammons brought in another run, and the Wildcats cut the deficit to 8-6, putting them right back in striking distance.
Both teams were quiet in the fourth inning, before Texas High added another run to their total int he top of the fifth, making it a three-run ballgame. Sulphur Springs tried to cut the deficit in the bottom of the fifth and bottom of the sixth but were unable to do so, going into the final frame trailing by three runs.
With one out in the inning, Millsap set the tone for a rally, drawing a one-out walk. Sillman kept the teams hopes alive, hitting a two-out double, which brought the potential tying run to the plate.
Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats were unable to complete their comeback, grounding out for the final out of the game. After getting down 8-2 in the early going, Sulphur Springs fought hard, getting the game within striking distance, but falling just short.
Sulphur Springs will have a pair of chances to find that first district win, with a pair of games this week. The Wildcats fist game this week is a road match against Marshall Tuesday.
The Wildcats return home later in the week, when they host Pine Tree Friday. In both games the junior varsity will go first at 4 p.m. with the varsity set to begin around 7 p.m.
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